For OFWs in Calgary, Canada, vacationing in the Philippines, securing your OEC is necessary if returning to Canada to fulfill or extend the employment contract. As of writing, there is no POLO office in Calgary, and the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) Calgary only offers consular services.
Also Read: Schedule OWWA Appointment Membership Calgary, Canada
Thus, you can apply at the POLO Vancouver office as they handle the OEC issuance for OFWs in Calgary. Without your OEC, you cannot exit the Philippine airport if leaving the country for employment reasons. In this article, we have created an in-depth guide on the application process for OEC in Calgary, Canada, so keep reading.
Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is a document that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) need to secure before leaving the country to work abroad, whether for the first time or as returning workers. The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) handle the OEC issuance, which serves as an exit clearance or pass checked by the immigration officers before allowing OFWs to depart the country and work overseas.
If the worker cannot present their OEC, they’ll be offloaded from the airport and cannot return to work abroad. So OFWs in Calgary should apply for their OEC at the POLO Vancouver office to prevent departure problems.
Contents
Requirements
As seen on the PCG Calgary Facebook post, POEA Memorandum Circular, here are the following requirements for OEC issuance at POLO Vancouver submitted 2-copies each, including:
For workers with existing POEA records renewing their previous employment contracts or returning to the same employer and job site
- Valid Philippine Passport
- Valid Re-Entry VISA
- Valid Work Permit
- POLO Toronto verified Employment Contract and Addendum with the employer’s signature on all pages
- POPS-BaM Appointment form
- Letter of Guarantee from the Employer
For workers with existing POEA records returning to the same employer but in a different country
- Valid Philippine Passport
- Valid Re-Entry VISA
- Valid Work Permit
- POLO Toronto verified Employment Contract and Addendum with the employer’s signature on all pages
- POPS-BaM Appointment form
- Letter of Guarantee from the employer
- Letter of Confirmation from the employer confirming the worker’s transfer of job site
For workers without existing POEA records and those who have changed employers in Canada
- Valid Philippine Passport
- Valid Re-Entry VISA
- Valid Work Permit
- POLO Toronto verified Employment Contract and Addendum with the employer’s signature on all pages
- POPS-BaM Appointment form
- Letter of Guarantee from the Employer
- Valid ID of the employer with photo
- Proof of Employment such as Certificate of Employment or pay slip for 3-years
- Sworn Statement of the worker, stating the process of employment
The requirements stated for workers without POEA records or have changed employers apply to OFWs hired or recruited from Third Countries, including Abu Dhabi, China, Dubai, Greece, Hong Kong, Japan, Kuwait, New Zealand, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Taiwan.
In addition, this requirement applies to workers whose Employment Contract is not yet verified by POLO Vancouver. Workers should also include a Prepaid Return Envelope when submitting the requirements for OEC via mail.
Additional Documents
However, if the workers don’t have an existing record on POEA’s database, request for verification of Employment Contract first at POLO Vancouver before applying for OEC. The following additional documents are for Employment Contract verification, including:
For Direct Hires
- Letter Request to POLO Labor Attaché with company letterhead
- Employment Contract/Offer
- Addendum
- Worker’s Passport with signature
- Copy of Visa or Work Permit
- Valid ID of Employer or Authorized Representative with photo and signature
- Company Resolution
- Letter of Undertaking
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
- Copy of Employers Business License
- Employers Company Business Profile
- Employer’s Registration by MOL (for BC employers)
- Employer’s Registration by Ministry of Economy (for SK employers)
For Agency Hired
- Letter Request to POLO Vancouver Labor Attaché with company letterhead
- Manpower Request/Job Order
- Employment Contract/Offer
- Addendum
- Worker’s Passport with signature
- Workers Visa copy
- Recruitment Agreement
- Hiring Agreement
- Valid ID of Employer or Authorized Representative with photo and signature
- Company Resolution
- Letter of Undertaking
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
- Copy of Employers Business License
- Employers Company Business Profile
- Employer’s Registration by MOL (for BC employers)
- Employer’s Registration by Ministry of Economy (for SK employers)
- Third-Party Representative License
Processing Fees
The following are the applicable fees OFWs in Calgary should pay for OEC issuance at POLO Vancouver, including:
- OEC processing fee of $2.75
- OWWA membership fee of $32.00
- POLO verification fee of $11.50
- PCG Vancouver Authentication fee of $33.75
Qualifications
But before booking an appointment and securing the stated requirements above, understand that only qualified workers can apply for OEC as it comes with protection, assistance, and benefits from the government, such as travel tax and terminal fees exemption. OFWs who possess OEC can also enjoy reduced travel tax for their spouses and dependents. So POEA and POLO only issue the exit clearance to qualified workers, including:
- OFWs who acquired work from an overseas Employer or Sponsor via direct hiring
- OFWs hired via a recruitment agency
- OFWs hired via POEA’s Government Placement Branch (GBP)
- OFWs with existing POEA database records and returning to the same job site after vacationing with an employment contract or working visa
- OFWs with existing POEA database record returning to the same employer but in a different job site
- OFWs without POEA database records or changes employers on-site
How to Book an OEC Appointment in Calgary, Canada
Since the OEC issuance for OFWs in Calgary is under POLO Vancouver, it is necessary to book an OEC appointment via POPS-BaM. And if you don’t have a POPS-BaM account, follow the steps below to register an account:
How to Register on POPS-BaM (For New Users)
- Visit the POEA Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website.
- Under the e-Registration section, click Let’s Go and Register.
- Check the I Accept the Terms of Use.
- Fill out the required fields and click Register.
- Check your email that you registered on POPS-BaM. Then, copy the sent Temporary Password.
- Enter the Temporary Password and change it to your preferred password.
- On the right of your dashboard, click My Profile.
- Fill out the required details.
- Double-check your account details and click Update Profile.
- Fill out the Identification Details.
- Input your Beneficiary details.
- Upload a Profile Picture and a copy of your Passport to finish the account setup.
How to book an OEC Appointment in POPS-BaM
After registering a POPS-BaM account, ensure that your profile has complete and accurate details before booking an OEC appointment with the POLO Vancouver office.
Those with old BM accounts can transfer their records to the POPS-BaM system. To do so, look for the POEA Helpdesk section on POPS-BaM and click Transfer Old BM records. Once your account is successfully updated, follow the steps below to book an OEC appointment with POLO Vancouver:
- Visit the POEA Online Services Portal/ POPS-BaM website.
- Click Let’s Go and log in on the e-Registration section.
- On the dashboard, look for My Links. Then, click Balik Manggagawa and Next.
- If you have an incomplete account, provide the required data to continue.
- Input your Flight Date and click Next.
- If not a Balik Manggagawa or not returning to the same employer and job site, answer No to the questions to continue booking.
- Update necessary details on your contract and click Submit.
- Choose a Processing Site and click Next.
- Take a screenshot or print your confirmed appointment schedule.
How to Apply for OEC in Calgary, Canada
While there is a PCG office in Calgary, OFWs in this area should apply for their OEC at POLO Vancouver. Furthermore, workers should get their OEC on-site if returning to a different employer and job site.
On the other hand, this process doesn’t apply to workers who don’t have an existing record on POEA’s database, cannot present a POLO verified Employment Contract and workers who came to Canada only possessing a tourist or visit visa and obtained a work visa.
Instead, the said workers should first request the verification of their Employment Contract at POLO Vancouver. Afterward, apply for OEC at POEA offices in the Philippines. To apply for OEC at POLO Vancouver, follow the steps below:
- Head to the POLO Vancouver office on the date of your appointment.
- Proceed to the reception and get an OFW Information Sheet.
- Next, present the duly-accomplished OFW Information Sheet with your requirements.
- Pay the applicable fees.
- Wait for the release of your OEC and other documents.
Moreover, PCG Calgary and POLO-OWWA conduct Consular Outreach Mission from time to time. So it is better to check their website and Facebook page for the schedule to make the application process for OEC easier.
How to Get OEC Online in Calgary, Canada
For OFWs in Calgary, Canada, who are Balik Manggagawa or workers returning to the same employer and those employed by GBP, it is recommended to get your OEC online. The said workers are qualified to avail of the OEC exemption, don’t need to apply on-site at POLO Vancouver, and are exempt from paying the OEC processing fee. To get OEC online, follow the steps below:
- Visit the POEA Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website.
- On the e-Registration section, click Let’s Go and log in.
- If your account details are incomplete, provide the missing data to continue.
- Input your Flight Date and click Next.
- Answer Yes to the questions to confirm you’re a Balik Mangggagawa or a worker returning to the same employer and job site.
- Print your OEC online. Also, ensure to request your OEC within 60 days of your return flight date.
Video: Offloaded at NAIA TERMINAL 1 | Hinahanapan ako ng OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate) | SINP
For more details on OEC, please watch the video below:
As stated in the video, the speaker got offloaded at the Philippine airport due to a lack of OEC. The LMIA exempt letter may also be necessary for workers going to Canada. So always check with the immigration, POEA, and POLO the requirement to prevent being offloaded at the airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions and answers about the overseas employment certificate process in Calgary:
1. How can I get an OEC exemption in Calgary, Canada?
You can get an OEC exemption at POPS-BaM, and you should be a Balik Manggagawa.
2. How can I book an OEC appointment online?
You can book an OEC appointment online by logging in to your POPS-BaM account.
3. Can I get OEC in Calgary, Canada, without an appointment?
It is necessary to book an appointment for OEC issuance.
4. Can I get OEC at the airport?
You can get OEC at the airport if on emergency leave or have a confirmed flight date.
5. How long is OEC valid?
OEC is valid for 60 days.
6. How much is the OEC fee in Calgary, Canada?
The OEC fee in Calgary, Canada, is $2.75.
7. Can I get OEC without OWWA membership?
You need an active OWWA membership for OEC issuance.
Summary
In summary, OFWs in Calgary should follow the procedure of OEC application at POLO Vancouver, while workers qualified for the OEC exemption can secure their OEC online.
Also, since the OEC only has 60 days of validity, workers should be mindful of the date when requesting the document and ensure that the OEC validity covers their return flight date.
Contact Details
PCG Calgary
Address: 1001 1st ST SE Suite 100 Calgary AB T2G 5G3
Telephone Number: (+1) 403-455-9457
Emergency Hotline Number: (+1) 587-577-1524
Email: calgarypcg@polo-owwa
Website: https://philcongencalgary.org/
Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/PHinCalgary
POLO Vancouver
Operating Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday
Address: World Trade Center Office Complex, Suite 601, 999 Canada Place,
Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1
Telephone Number: (+1) 604-641-1234
Emergency Hotline Number: (+1) 604-767-3354
Email: polo.vancouver@yahoo.ca
Website: https://vancouverpcg.dfa.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/POLOinVancouver/