How to Apply OEC Certificate in Hong Kong

For OFWs in Hong Kong, ensure to secure your OEC every time going home to the Philippines for vacation and return to work abroad to continue or extend your employment contract. OEC is a required document that confirms the legality of your work abroad and indicates proper documentation with POEA. So if you’re wondering how to get OEC in Hong Kong, please follow the guidelines below.

Also Read: Schedule OWWA Appointment and Membership in Hong Kong

The Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is issued to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).

The document also serves as an exit clearance required to be presented by OFWs to Philippine immigration officers before allowing passage. Therefore, OFWs should keep a valid OEC whenever vacationing and returning to Hong Kong for work.

Requirements

OFWs vacationing in the Philippines with an existing employment contract should secure an OEC to return to Hong Kong to continue their work. And to apply for OEC in Hong Kong, here are the following requirements to comply with:

Two copies of the printed POPS-BaM Appointment form
POLO Verified Employment Contract
Two copies of a valid Working Visa or Employment Visa
Official receipt of OWWA Membership
Supplied Information Sheet
Authorization Letter (For Representative)
Original and two photocopies of Passport (with at least six months validity before the date of departure)
Photocopy of Confirmed 2-way Airline Ticket

Additional Documents

Nonetheless, if the applicant doesn’t have a POLO verified Employment contract, submit the following document for employment contract verification, necessary for the OEC issuance.

For Domestic Workers

If the worker will renew a contract or change of employer, present the following:

2-sets of the Original Standard Employment Contract
Copy of the Employers HK ID containing contact number on the same page
Copy of the Domestic Worker’s HK ID containing contact number on the same page
Original and photocopy of the Domestic Workers Passport
Printed copy of the New Employment E-Visa
Duly accomplished OWWA OFW Information Sheet (For Representative)

For Professional/ Skilled Workers

If the worker doesn’t have an existing record in the POEA database or changed employer on-site, present the following:

1-photocopy of Appropriate Visa
1-photocopy of Passport with at least 6-months validity
Proof of Employment
o 1-original and 2-photocopies of Certificate of Employment
o Company issued ID
o Payslip
1-original and 2-photocopies of the Employment Contract
1-photocopy of Business Registration or Company Profile

Processing Fees

The following are the applicable fees to pay to get your OEC:

OEC processing fee of HK$ 20.00
OWWA membership fee of HK$ 196.00
Verification of Contract fee of HK$ 80.00 (For Domestic Workers) and HK$ 160.00 (For Professional/ Skilled Workers)

Qualifications

Aside from being a clearance pass, OEC ensures OFWs will receive the benefits and programs of the Philippine government, such as travel tax and terminal fees exemption. Thus, POEA and POLO offices will only issue OEC to the following qualified individuals:

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 in Hong Kong

How to Book an OEC Appointment in POLO Hong Kong

For OFWs who are not qualified to get an OEC exemption or not a Balik Manggagawa, you’ll have to secure your OEC at the POLO Hong Kong office. An OEC appointment is also required for the OEC issuance and accessible through the new online appointment system POPS-BaM, so OFWs need an e-Registration account on POPS-BaM to book an OEC appointment with the POLO Hong Kong office.

In addition, make sure that you have a POLO verified Employment Contract and active OWWA membership status since it’s a prerequisite to securing an OEC. But if you don’t have a POPS-BaM account yet, follow the steps below.

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

Visit the POEA Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website.
Click Let’s Go and Register on the e-Registration section.
Check the I Accept the Terms of Use.
Fill out the necessary details and click Register.
Go to the email you registered on POPS-BaM and copy the provided Temporary Password.
Return to the POPS-BaM website and log in using the Temporary Password.
On the dashboard, click My Profile on the left.
Enter the required details.
Double-check your account details and click Update Profile.
Fill out your Identification Details.
Enter your Beneficiary details.
Upload a Profile Picture and a copy of your Passport to finish your account setup.

How to book an OEC Appointment in POPS-BaM

If you already have a POPS-BaM account, you can nook an OEC with the POLO Hong Kong office. While if you have an old BM account, you can also transfer your account to the POPS-BaM website. Go to the POEA Helpdesk section and click Transfer Old BM records on the options to update your POPS-BaM profile information. Then, book an OEC appointment by following the steps below.

Visit the POEA Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website.
Click Let’s Go and log in on the e-Registration section.
On the right side of the dashboard, look for My Links. Then, click Balik Manggagawa and Next.
If you have an incomplete account, provide the list of lacking data to continue.
Input your Flight Date and click Next.
If you’re not a Balik Manggagawa or not returning to the same employer, answer No to the question to proceed with the booking.
Update necessary details on your contract and click Submit.
Choose a Processing Site and click Next.
Afterward, screenshot or print your confirmed appointment schedule.

How to Apply for OEC in POLO Hong Kong

Before heading to the POLO Hong Kong office, ensure that you have a confirmed appointment schedule. Then, bring the necessary documents and pay the fees applicable to your application.

Also, remember that an on-site OEC application is required for OFWs returning to a different employer or changed employers in Hong Kong. On the contrary, the POLO Hong Kong office will not issue OEC to OFWs who arrived with a tourist or visit visa and converted to a work visa.

Instead, the said individuals should apply for OEC in POEA offices in the Philippines to have proper documentation on the database. POLO Hong Kong will only verify the worker’s employment contract since it’s a requirement for OEC application in the Philippines. And to apply for OEC in POLO Hong Kong, follow the steps below.

Visit the POLO Hong Kong office on the day of your appointment.
Proceed to the OEC booth to get an OFW Information Sheet and fill out the required fields.
Return to the same counter and present your requirements for verification.
Pay the applicable fees.
Review the details of your OEC before leaving and ensure to have 4-copies, one each for the following:

Airline
Labor Assistance Center (LAC) Counter
Terminal Fee Counter (At the Airport)
Immigration Counter (OFWs copy)

Furthermore, according to the Philippine Consulate General (P CG) website, the OEC issuance takes place on the following:

PCG
9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday-Thursday
14/F United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty, HK

Bayanihan Center
9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Sunday
Kennedy Town, Hong Kong

How to Get OEC Online in Hong Kong

If the OFW is a Balik Manggagawa or worker returning to the same employer and job site, they are qualified to avail of OEC exemption and secure it online. Additionally, returning workers hired via GBP can also get an OEC exemption through the POPS-BaM website. To get your OEC online, follow the steps below:

Visit the POEA Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website.
Click Let’s Go and log in on the e-Registration section.
Then, under My Links, click Balik Manggagawa.
If a list of missing data appears, provide the required data to proceed.
Next, input your Flight Date and click Next.
Answer Yes to the question to verify that you’re a Balik Manggagawa or returning to the same employer and job site.
Afterward, print your OEC online. Also, ensure to request your OEC within 60 days of your return flight date.

Video: HOW TO GET HONGKONG OEC APPOINTMENT THROUGH ONLINE 2022

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

As discussed in the video, some OFWs are not eligible to get their OEC online such as those who changed employers and job sites. The video also showed how to register a POPS-BaM account and book an OEC appointment. Thus, OFWs can book ahead of time and ensure the issuance of their OEC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please check out these common questions about the POLO office in Hong Kong and the OEC Certificate:

1. How can I get an OEC exemption in Hong Kong?

You can get an OEC exemption in Hong Kong via the POPS-BaM website and if you’re a Balik Mangggagawa.

2. How can I book an OEC appointment online?

You can book an OEC appointment online by registering an account on POPS-BaM. Then, complete your account details to book an appointment.

3. Can I get OEC in Hong Kong without an appointment?

An OEC appointment is necessary for OEC issuance in all POLO offices.

4. Can I get OEC at the airport?

OFWs can get OEC at the airport if on emergency leave or have confirmed flight bookings.

5. How long is OEC valid?

OEC is only valid for 60 days.

6. How much is the OEC fee in Hong Kong?

The OEC fee in Hong Kong is HK$ 20.00.

7. Can I get OEC without OWWA membership?

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

Summary

To sum up, OFWs in Hong Kong may apply for OEC in the POLO office if vacationing in the Philippines in less than 60 days. If not, the OFW should secure an OEC in the Philippines before returning to Hong Kong to ensure its validity.

Furthermore, OFWs who possess OEC can enjoy terminal fees and travel tax exemption, so ensure to apply for an OEC.

Contact Details

POLO Hong Kong
Operating Hours: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Sunday to Thursday
Postal Address: 2902 29/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty
POLO Hotline Number: (+852) 5529 1880
Telephone Number: (+852) 2866 0640Email: info@polo-hk.com
Website: https://polo-hongkong.com/
Facebook Page:https://facebook.com/POLOHONGKONGSAR/

Google Map Location

Here’s the location of the POLO-OWWA Hong Kong office: