If you’re working in Switzerland and vacationing in the Philippines soon, you should get your OEC if you’re still leaving the country for employment reasons. This document ensures you have legal employment abroad and are allowed to leave the country to continue or extend your work. So if you’re wondering how to get OEC in Geneva, Switzerland, check our in-depth guide below.
Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is one of the most necessary documents Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) should secure from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) or now known as the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO). This document acts as an exit clearance that OFWs should present to immigration officers before permitting them to leave the country to work abroad. Thus, OFWs in Switzerland are encouraged to get their OEC from POLO Geneva.
Contents
Requirements
If you’re vacationing in the Philippines and returning to your job site, here are the documentary requirements you must comply with to get your OEC from POLO Geneva as per DMW:
For workers with existing DMW records vacationing for the first time and returning to the same employer and job site to fulfill or extend their employment contract
- POPS-BaM Appointment form
- BM Information Sheet
- Valid Passport with at least 6-month validity (copy of photo page)
- Valid Employment Pass and re-entry Visa
- Valid Work Visa, Work Permit, or any equivalent document
- POLO verified Employment Contract
- Photocopy of Confirmed 2-way Airline Ticket or travel agency-issued itinerary
- Proof of active OWWA membership such as official receipt and certificate of coverage
- Other necessary documents such as Company ID, Employment Certificate, or latest payslip
For workers with existing DMW records returning to the same employer but in a different job site
- POPS-BaM Appointment form
- BM Information Sheet
- Valid Passport with at least 6-month validity (copy of photo page)
- Valid Employment Pass and re-entry Visa
- Valid Work Visa, Work Permit, or any equivalent document
- POLO verified Employment Contract
- Photocopy of Confirmed 2-way Airline Ticket or travel agency-issued itinerary
- Proof of active OWWA membership such as official receipt and certificate of coverage
- Other necessary documents such as Company ID, Employment Certificate, or latest payslip
- Letter from the employer confirming the worker’s transfer of job site
For workers without existing DMW records and those who have changed employers on-site
- POPS-BaM Appointment form
- BM Information Sheet
- Valid Passport with at least 6-month validity (copy of photo page)
- Valid Employment Pass and re-entry Visa
- Valid Work Visa, Work Permit, or any equivalent document
- POLO verified Employment Contract
- Photocopy of Confirmed 2-way Airline Ticket or travel agency-issued itinerary
- Proof of active OWWA membership such as official receipt and certificate of coverage
- Other necessary documents such as Company ID, Employment Certificate, or latest payslip
- Sworn Statement explaining how the worker obtained employment
Additionally, OFWs without a verified Employment Contract should secure the necessary documents and request Contract Verification from POLO Geneva before applying for their OEC.
Processing Fees
Once you have secured the requirements, you need to pay the following fees at POLO Geneva to get your OEC. You will also pay a POLO verification fee if you don’t have a verified Employment Contract.
- OEC processing fee of CHF 2.10
- OWWA membership fee of US$25 converted to CHF based on the foreign exchange rate
Qualifications
OEC issuance’s primary purpose is to verify OFW’s employment abroad and protect them from exploitation. This document also provides them government assistance and benefits such as travel tax and terminal fees exemption. Their spouses and dependents can also enjoy reduced travel tax. So to ensure that OFWs have legal employment abroad, DMW and POLO only issue the OEC to the following qualified workers:
- OFWs who acquired work from an overseas Employer or Sponsor via direct hiring
- OFWs who acquired employment via a recruitment agency
- OFWs hired via DMW’s Government Placement Branch (GPB)
- OFWs with existing DMW database records and returning to the same job site after vacationing with an employment contract or working visa
- OFWs with existing DMW database record returning to the same employer but in a different job site
- OFWs without DMW database records or changes employers on-site
On the other hand, other Filipinos working abroad holding any of the following statuses no longer need to acquire OEC as per DMW:
- 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
In addition, as stated in a Facebook post of POLO Geneva, OFWs holding a Permit B no longer need to get their OEC when vacationing in the Philippines and returning to Switzerland. OFWs with a Permit B are equivalent to being legal residents in Switzerland, allowing them to travel back and forth.
How to Book an OEC Appointment in POLO Geneva, Switzerland
If you’re returning to a different employer and job site, it is necessary to book an appointment and visit POLO Geneva to get your OEC. To book an OEC appointment in POLO Geneva, you first need to register on POPS-BaM by following the steps below:
How to Register on POPS-BaM (For New Users)
- Visit the DMW 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
For those who already have a POPS-BaM account, you can proceed with booking an OEC appointment but ensure that your employment details are accurate and updated.
Nonetheless, workers with old BM accounts should transfer their records to their newly registered POPS-BaM accounts. Visit POPS-BaM and click Transfer old BM record on the DMW Helpdesk section. Then, wait for up to 8 hours until your records match and follow the steps below to book an OEC appointment on POPS-BaM:
- Visit the DMW Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website.
- On the e-Registration, click Let’s Go and log in.
- 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 Geneva, Switzerland
Similar to the application process to other POLO and DMW offices, OFWs who are not returning to the same employer and job site should visit POLO Geneva on the date of their appointment to get their OEC. On the day of your appointment with POLO Geneva, bring all the necessary documents and pay the applicable fees before issuing OEC.
However, workers without existing records on DMW, a verified Employment Contract, and those who arrived in Switzerland with a tourist or visit visa and acquired a work visa won’t get their OEC at POLO Geneva. Instead, the said workers should request a Contract Verification from POLO Geneva and use it when applying for OEC at DMW offices in the Philippines.
Moreover, check the official Facebook page of POLO and the Philippine Consulate General in Geneva for the latest update since they’ve recently announced closing the POLO Geneva office due to Covid-19 concerns. For further details on OEC issuance, you may contact POLO Geneva.
How to Get OEC Online in Geneva, Switzerland
For OFWs who are Balik Manggagawa or workers returning to the same employer and job site or hired by the GPB, you can get your exit clearance online since you’re qualified for the OEC exemption. Through the OEC exemption, you don’t have to visit POLO Geneva and pay the OEC processing fee. To get OEC online in Geneva, Switzerland, follow the steps below:
- Visit the DMW 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.
Reminders for Third Country-Hired Workers
According to a Facebook post of POLO Geneva, despite having a work permit or visa, third country-hired workers won’t be able to get their OEC since they didn’t document their employment with DMW. Thus, third-country-hired workers should verify their Employment Contract at POLO Geneva before applying for OEC at DMW. The Employment Contract verification may take longer as most third-country-hired workers don’t have an Employment Contract or are under the “no work, no pay” scheme.
Nonetheless, you can get your OEC if your employer agrees to modify your contract and include mandatory provisions and a repatriation clause to ensure your safety and benefits.
For highly-skilled workers or professionals with high salaries, POLO Geneva recommends getting your OEC even though your Employment Contract lacks certain benefits, which is only an exception given to high-paying jobs. So if you don’t want to go through all the said processes, you should document your employment with DMW.
Video: Labor Assistance to Filipinos
For more details on OEC, please watch the video below:
As discussed in the video, Labor Assistance Center (LAC) in varying international airports in the Philippines can assist OFWs to get their OEC by submitting the original copy of expired OEC, copy of Employment Contract, copy of valid work permit or visa, and a valid passport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please check out these common questions and answers about the process of getting an OEC in Switzerland:
1. How can I get an OEC exemption in Geneva, Switzerland?
Log in to your POPS-BaM account and confirm on the Balik Manggagawa section that you’re returning to the same employer and job site.
2. How can I book an OEC appointment online?
Log in to your POPS-BaM account to book an OEC appointment online.
3. Can I get OEC in Geneva, Switzerland, without an appointment?
You need an OEC appointment to get OEC at POLO Geneva.
4. Can I get OEC at the airport?
You can get OEC at the airport if you’re on emergency leave or have confirmed flight bookings.
5. How long is OEC valid?
OEC is valid for 60 days.
6. How much is the OEC fee in Geneva, Switzerland?
The OEC fee in Geneva is CHF 2.10.
7. Can I get OEC without OWWA membership?
You need an active OWWA membership to get OEC.
Summary
To sum up, OFWs should ensure they have a valid OEC whenever traveling back and forth to the Philippines and leaving the country for employment reasons. Without this document, their employment might be delayed or cause them to lose their job. Thus, it is encouraged to process their OEC to avoid delays.
Contact Details
POLO Geneva, Switzerland
Address: 14 Allee David-Morse, Geneva, Switzerland
Telephone Number: +41 22 716 32 58, 077 955 3147
Website: Email: polo_geneva@dole.gov.ph
Website: https://genevapm.dfa.gov.ph/
Email: polo_geneva@dole.gov.ph
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PHinGeneva
Google Map Location
Map guide of the POLO office in Geneva below: