How to Apply OEC Certificate in California, USA

To OFWs in California, USA, planning to go on a vacation in the Philippines and return to their job site afterward are required to get their OEC. This document is necessary for first-time and returning workers that verify the legality of their employment abroad.

In addition, OFWs who are required to get their OEC should secure it before their flight date to pass through the Philippine airport and return to the USA to fulfill or continue their employment contract. So if you’re an OFW in California, USA, read on as we share how to get your OEC.

Also Read: Schedule OWWA Appointment Membership California, USA

Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is an essential document issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) that involves verifying the employment documents of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs, ensuring they’ve obtained legal work and preventing exploitation.

Referred to as an exit clearance/pass, OEC should be presented by OFWs to immigration officers before they’re allowed to leave the Philippine airport for overseas work. Therefore, OFWs should secure a valid OEC from POEA or the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) before exiting the airport.

Contents

Requirements

There are two POLO offices in the USA where OFWs can secure their OEC, at POLO Washington DC and POLO Los Angeles. However, the POLO Los Angeles has limited details on OEC issuance, and the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) Los Angeles only redirects to the old BM system. So OFWs in California may also refer to the following requirements for OEC issuance at POLO Washington DC or inquire for the specific details via the PCG Los Angeles Contact Form.

POPS-BaM Appointment form
BM Information Sheet
Valid Passport with at least 6-month validity (copy of photo page)
Valid Work Visa, Work Permit, or Notice of Action
POLO verified Employment Contract
Self-addressed/stamped/prepaid return envelope
Pay fees via US Bank Draft or US Money order

Additional Documents

On the other hand, OFWs without a verified Employment Contract by any POLO USA office should comply with the additional requirements listed below and request Contract Verification. Remember, the documents below are from POLO Washington DC, so it’s still better to reach out to POLO Los Angeles regarding the documents needed for Contract Verification.

For Land-Based Domestic Workers

Domestic Contract (for US)
Individual Employment Contract for Domestic Workers (for Islands)
Work permit
Worker’s valid Passport (Copy of Data page)
Affidavit of Employer on Covid-19 (Notarized)
Copy of Employer’s ID
Employers Information Card
Employee’s Information Card
Proof of Employment, such as latest Certificate of Employment, Company ID, or latest payslip
Notarized PAOS Undertaking (for Direct Hire and Agency Hire)
Template from PRA (for Agency Hire)

For Land-Based Professional/Skilled Workers

POEA Individual Employment Contract (IEC) for Various Skills
Employment Contract and signed Addendum
Work visa (for US)
Work permit (for Islands)
Worker’s valid Passport (Copy of Data page)
Affidavit of Employer on Covid-19 (Notarized)
Secretary’s Certificate OR Authorization
Copy of Valid ID of Signatory
Business/ Employer’s Information Card
Employee’s Information Card
Proof of Employment, such as latest Certificate of Employment, Company ID, or latest payslip
Notarized PAOS Undertaking (for Agency Hire)

Processing Fees

The following are the fees payable for OEC issuance in the USA:

OEC Processing fee of US$2
POLO Verification fee of US$10
OWWA membership fee of US$25

Qualifications

Aside from ensuring OFW’s employment overseas, OEC provides OFWs with government protection, assistance, and benefits such as travel tax and terminal fees exemption. OEC holders traveling with their spouses and dependents can also avail of reduced travel tax, so OEC is essential to OFWs. However, not everyone can get OEC since POLO and POEA only issue it to the following:

OFWs who acquired work from an overseas Employer or Sponsor via direct hiring
OFWs who acquired work 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

On the contrary, according to POEA, OFWs holding the following status are not required to get their OEC:

Immigrant
Permanent Resident
Dependent/Spouse of Foreign National
Intra-Company Transferee
Vacationing OFWs visiting other countries, except their job site
Trainee
US J1 Visa holder/ Cultural Exchange Programs
Other Non-OFW Status as evaluated

How to Book an OEC Appointment in POLO California, USA

While the OEC issuance process has limited details, as stated on the PCG Los Angeles Facebook post, an appointment is necessary for consular services. So OFWs in California need to book an OEC appointment via POPS-BaM. Again, reach out to the POLO Los Angeles office before booking an appointment to ensure the latest process for OEC issuance. Then, log in to your POPS-BaM account to book an OEC appointment or register an account if you don’t have one by following the steps below:

How to Register on POPS-BaM (For New Users)

Visit the POEA Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website.
On 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 registered email on POPS-BaM and copy the provided Temporary Password.
Input the Temporary Password and change it to your chosen password.
Once you’ve logged in, click My Profile on the right of the dashboard.
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

Once you’ve completed the account setup on POPS-BaM, ensure that your details are correct and that you only registered one account to avoid delays during OEC processing. But if you have an old BM account, you should transfer your records on POPs-BaM by clicking Transfer Old BM records on the DMW Helpdesk section. Then, follow the steps below to book an OEC appointment:

Visit the POEA Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website.
On the dashboard, click Balik Manggagawa under My Links and click Next.
If your profile is incomplete, provide the required data to proceed.
Input your flight date and click Next.
If you’re not a Balik Manggagawa or not returning to the same employer and job site, answer NO to the questions to proceed with the booking.
Update the details on your contract and click Submit.
Choose a Processing Site and click Next.
Take a screenshot or print your confirmed POPS-BaM appointment form.

How to Apply for OEC in POLO California, USA

As of writing, there are no specific details for the OEC issuance process in POLO Los Angeles, California. Thus, it is ideal to contact the POLO Los Angeles office for further information.

In addition, OFWs can apply for their OEC through the Consular Outreach Mission conducted by POLO Los Angeles. So make sure to check their Facebook page and website for the upcoming schedule of Consular Outreach.

Applying for OEC in POLO Washington DC, USA

For further details, here’s how you can apply for OEC in POLO Washington DC:

OFWs returning to the USA to a different employer and job site should first book an OEC appointment with POLO Washington DC.
Next, mail the requirements to POLO Washington DC before the appointment date.
- POLO Washington DC mailing address:
  - Philippine Overseas Labor Office
  - Embassy of the Philippines
  - 1617 Massachusetts Ave., NW
  - Washington DC, USA 20036
Once approved for OEC issuance, pay the applicable fees through US Bank Draft or US Money Order.
Wait for an email confirming you to print your OEC on POPS-BaM.
Log in to your POPS-BaM account and click My Transaction. Then, click Print OEC.

How to Get OEC Online in California, USA

Balik Manggagawa or workers returning to the same employer and job site can conveniently get their OEC online via POPS-BaM. Also, returning workers hired by GBP can avail of the OEC exemption, which exempts them from paying the OEC processing fee. To get OEC Online in California, USA, 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 and ensure to only request your OEC within 60 days of your return flight date.

Video: PAANO KUMUHA NG APPOINTMENT FOR OEC/BALIK MANGGGAWA ONLINE

For more details on OEC, please watch the video below:

As discussed in the video, OFWs can book an OEC appointment online by logging in to their POPS-BaM account, so make sure to register an account. Update your employment details and book an OEC appointment by choosing your preferred processing site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please check out these common questions and answers about the process of getting an OEC in California:

1. How can I get an OEC exemption in California, USA?

2. How can I book an OEC appointment online?

3. Can I get OEC in California, USA, without an appointment?

As of now, there are no specific details for OEC issuance in POLO Los Angeles, California. But PCG Los Angeles doesn’t accept walk-ins, so an appointment might be necessary to get OEC.

4. Can I get OEC at the airport?

If you’re on emergency leave or have confirmed flight booking, you can get OEC at the Philippine airport.

5. How long is OEC valid?

OEC is only valid for 60 days.

6. How much is the OEC fee in California, USA?

The OEC fee in California, USA, is US$2.

7. Can I get OEC without OWWA membership?

No, since an active OWWA membership is necessary for OEC issuance.

Summary

Overall, OFWs qualified for OEC exemption can get their OEC online using POPS-BaM. Nonetheless, workers who should get their OEC from POEA or POLO or have changed employers and job sites should contact POLO Los Angeles for the latest OEC issuance process.

Contact Details

POLO Los Angeles, California
Address: 3435 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 3040, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90010
Office Number: (213) 223-1120
Hotline Number: (213) 944-2599
Email: losangelespc@aol.com
Website: https://www.philippineconsulatela.org/
Facebook Page: https://web.facebook.com/PHLinLA

Google Map Location

Please check out the POLO Los Angeles, California office map guide below: