OFWs in Israel who are planning to have a short vacation or go back to the Philippines due to the end of the contract need to get their OEC if returning to work overseas to fulfill or extend their employment contract. Without an OEC, the worker won’t be able to obtain overseas work and prevent from leaving the Philippine airport. So to avoid hassle and delayed flights, check out our guide on how to get OEC in Israel.
Also Read: OWWA Appointment Membership Tel Aviv, Israel
Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is one of the most necessary documents that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) must secure to prove they have obtained legal employment and proper documentation.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Philippine Labor Office (POLO) issue the OEC to qualified and legal workers. Moreover, it serves as an exit clearance presented to Philippine immigration officers before OFWs are permitted to leave the country. Thus, OFWs must secure their OEC when vacationing in the Philippines and returning to Israel for work.
Contents

Requirements
As stated on the official website of the Embassy of the Philippines Tel-Aviv, Israel, here are the following requirements need to be secure for vacationing OFWs to get their OEC:
- Duly accomplished and signed POEA BM Information Sheet
- Copy of Passport with Re-entry Visa
- POLO verified Standard Employment Contract with the employer’s signature
- Certificate of Placement by Recruitment Agency (Miktav HaShama)
- Photocopy of Confirmed 2-way Airline Ticket
- Copy of Employer’s ID (Todazeut, Passport, or Driver’s License)
Also, OFWs need to register first on the POPS-BaM website to print their OFW Information Sheet.
Additional Documents
However, if the worker can’t present POLO verified Employment Contract, here are the additional documents for contract verification for Household Workers for Diplomats:
- 1-original and 1-photocopy of the contract with employer and employees signature
- 2-copies of the employer’s Passport or ID
- 2-copies of the employer’s letter to the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the worker’s visa issuance
- Letter request for POLO Contract Verification explaining how the worker obtained employment
- 2-copies of the worker’s Passport
Processing Fees
The following are the applicable fees payable during the application process:
- OEC processing fee of NIS 10.00
- Contract Verification fee of US$10.00
- OWWA membership fee of NIS 92.00 paid in Shekels (the charges vary based on monthly foreign exchange rates
Keep in mind that workers must have POLO verified employment contracts and active OWWA membership before the POLO Israel office issues OEC.
Qualifications
The OEC entitles OFWs protection from the government and privileges, including travel tax and terminal fees exemption. It also encourages OFWs to secure legal employment for their safety while working abroad. Thus, POEA and POLO 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 Israel
How to Book an OEC Appointment in POLO Israel
According to the Philippine Embassy in Israel’s Facebook post, the OEC issuance currently implements a “No Appointment, No Entry” policy. So ensure to register on POPS-BaM and book an appointment. Furthermore, the Embassy will only entertain walk-ins once applicants with confirmed appointments have their OEC issued and if the walk-in applicant has confirmed flight booking within 3-days.
Nonetheless, the Embassy won’t process applicants’ OEC with confirmed flights exceeding 3-days to prevent its expiry. Thus, it is ideal to book an appointment with the POLO Israel office within 3-days of your confirmed flight. And to book an appointment with the POLO Israel office, OFWs need to register an account on POPS-BaM by following the steps below.
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 an account on POPS-BaM, the worker can print and fill out the OFW Information Sheet and book an OEC appointment with the POLO Israel office. Also, workers with old BM accounts can transfer their records to their newly created POPS-BaM account.
To do so, go to the POPS-BaM website and look for the POEA helpdesk section. Click Transfer Old BM records to match your details on your POPS-BaM account. Then, follow the steps below to book an OEC appointment.
- Visit the POEA Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website.
- On the e-Registration section, click Let’s Go and log in.
- 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.
- Then, screenshot or print your confirmed appointment schedule.
How to Apply for OEC in POLO Israel
While the POLO Israel office accepts walk-in applicants, they prioritize applicants with confirmed appointments before entertaining walk-ins. So make sure to book an appointment ahead of your visit to ensure the issuance of your OEC.
Moreover, getting OEC at POLO Israel is required for OFWs who are not returning to the same employer and job site or have changed their employer’s on-site. However, POLO Israel won’t issue OEC to workers who arrived in the nation with a tourist or visit visa and converted to a work visa.
The said workers should get their OEC in POEA offices in the Philippines to get proper documentation on POEA’s database. POLO Israel can only verify the worker’s employment contract since it’s necessary when requesting OEC in the Philippines. To apply for OEC in POLO Israel, follow the steps below:
- Book an appointment on the POPS-BaM system.
- Visit the POLO Israel office on the day of your appointment. Get and fill out the form from the guard.
- Proceed to counter number 1 and submit the form and your requirements for verification.
- Pay the applicable fees.
- Wait to be called on counter number 2 and give your POPS-BaM email address and password.
- Pay the processing fee and wait for the issuance of your OEC.
Apart from booking an appointment, OFWs need to register on OFW Assistance Information System (OASIS) to access services from the government upon arrival and at the Bureau of Quarantine (BoQ) platform for the Covid-19 RT-PCR Test.
How to Get OEC Online in Israel
OFWs in Israel may get their OEC online if they’re Balik Manggagawa or workers returning to the same employer and job site. Nonetheless, if the worker changes employer or returns to a different employer and job site, they must apply at the POLO Israel office.
Additionally, workers returning to Israel hired by the GBP can get their OEC online and avail of exemption, which no longer requires paying the OEC processing fee. To get your 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.
- Then, print your OEC online. Also, make sure to request your OEC within 60 days of your return flight date.
Video: Paggawa nang OEC Exemption | Using the New Platform ( POPs-BaM )#fyi
For more details on OEC, please watch the video below:
As discussed in the video, OFWs returning to the same employer and job site may enjoy the OEC exemption. However, OFWs who changed their employers should book an appointment to get their OEC. To avail of OEC exemption, the OFW should log in to their POPS-BaM account and confirm they’re returning to the same employer and job site. Then, they can print their OEC online and don’t have to pay the processing fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please check out these common questions about the OEC Certificate:
1. How can I get an OEC exemption in Israel?
OEC exemption is only for Balik Manggagawa or workers returning to the same employer and job site. You may get an OEC exemption at the POPS-BaM system.
2. How can I book an OEC appointment online?
You need to register a POPS-BaM account to book an OEC appointment online.
3. Can I get OEC in Israel without an appointment?
You may get your OEC in Israel without an appointment. However, POLO Israel prioritizes applicants with confirmed appointments over walk-ins.
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 booking.
5. How long is OEC valid?
OEC is only valid for 60 days.
6. How much is the OEC fee in Israel?
The OEC processing fee in Israel is NIS 10.00.
7. Can I get OEC without OWWA membership?
No, you need an active OWWA membership for OEC issuance.
Summary
To sum up, all OFWs in Israel should get their OEC at the POLO office if returning to a different employer and job site and if they’re returning to Israel in less than 60 days.
On the other hand, Balik Manggagawa or workers returning to the same employer can enjoy exemption from paying the OEC processing fee by requesting their OEC at the POPS-BaM website. Thus, OEC is essential to all OFWs leaving the country to work abroad.
Contact Details
POLO Israel
Operating Hours: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Sunday to Thursday
Address: Rehov Bnei Dan 18, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 62260
Contact Number: 03-5444531/ 03-6022496
Email: polois_2012@yahoo.com
Website: https://tel-avivpe.dfa.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/PHinIsrael/
Google Map Location
Please see below map guide to the location of the POLO Office in Israel: