OFWs in Madrid, Spain, whose employment contract ended or are on a short vacation in the Philippines and will return to work should get their OEC to ensure departure. OEC is a necessary document that all OFWs need to secure before leaving the Philippines and obtaining employment abroad. And if you urgently need to get your OEC in Madrid, Spain, keep reading.
The Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is an exit clearance document issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Also Read: OWWA Appointment Membership Madrid, Spain
In addition, OEC is a certification that an OFW has obtained legal employment and access to the benefits and protection of the Philippine government.
OFWs need to get an OEC and present it to the Philippine immigration officer before they are allowed to depart for overseas work. Thus, OFWs should ensure to get their OEC when going home to the Philippines and returning to Madrid, Spain.
Contents
Requirements
Whether your contract has ended or for a short vacation and return to Spain to continue or extend your employment contract, here are the primary requirements to secure the OEC application in POLO Madrid, Spain:
- POPS-BaM Appointment form
- POLO verified Employment Contract
- Photocopy of Confirmed 2-way Airline Ticket
For first time applicants, workers from another job site aside from Spain, or changed employers on-site:
- 1-original and 1-photocopy of Cotrato de Trabajo for verification and registration
- 2-photocopies of the Employee’s Philippine Passport data page (with at least six months validity before the date of departure)
- 2-photocopies of Employee’s Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE)
- 2-photocopies of any of the following:
- Employer’s Documento Nacional de Identidad (DNI)
- Employer’s Passport data page
- Certificado de Identificacion Fiscal (CIF) (for Empresa Employer)
- Employee’s Nomina
- 2-photocopies of proof of existing employment:
- Employee’s Nomina
- Latest Seguridad Social contribution
- Latest Vida Laboral
Furthermore, OFWs returning to the same employer and job site may get an OEC exemption at the POPS-BaM website. But if the worker is a permanent resident (larga duración) and has a dependent (comunitario) status, securing an OEC is not required. Nonetheless, OFWs without a POLO verified Employment Contract need to undergo contract verification and ensure an active OWWA membership status before applying for OEC.
Additional Documents
If the workers don’t have POLO verified Employment Contract, submit the following requirements to polomadrid2020@gmail.com for online contract verification:
- Contract with English translation
- NIE, Temporary Residence or Work Permit
- Passport with signature
- Pay slip or informe de Vida laboral
- Employer’s DNI
Processing Fees
The following are the applicable fees payable thru cash only:
- OEC processing fee of € 2.00
- Verification of Contract fee of € 9.00
- OWWA membership fee of US$25.00 converted to local currency
Qualifications
Apart from promoting legal employment and proper documentation, the OEC provides OFWs with benefits, including travel tax and terminal fees exemption. Thus, POEA and POLO only issue the OEC to the following 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 Madrid, Spain
How to Book an OEC Appointment in POLO Madrid, Spain
As stated on the Embassy of the Philippines Madrid, Spain website, the applicant’s status in Spain is temporary, as indicated on the employee’s TIE. Also, workers should have an active email account to book an OEC appointment with POLO Madrid, Spain, and register on the POPS-BaM website. So if you don’t have a POPS-BaM account, follow 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
After registering a POPS-BaM account, you can proceed with booking an OEC appointment with the POLO Madrid, Spain office. If an old BM account exists, transfer your record to the POPS-BaM website. On the POEA Helpdesk section and click Transfer Old BM records to match your details with your POPS-BaM account, and 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, 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.
- Then, screenshot or print your confirmed POPS-BaM appointment form.
How to Apply for OEC in POLO Madrid, Spain
Once you’ve got an OEC appointment with the POLO Madrid, Spain office, secure the necessary documents and pay the applicable fees on-site. Remember, the OEC application in the POLO Madrid office is for OFWs that changed employers on-site or workers returning to a different employer and job site.
However, OFWs who arrived in Spain with a tourist or visit visa and converted to a work visa are not qualified to get their OEC in POLO Madrid. First, process their employment contract with POLO Madrid as a requirement to get their OEC in POEA offices in the Philippines to have a record in POEA’s worker’s database. To apply for OEC in POLO Madrid, Spain, follow the steps below:
- Visit the POLO Madrid office on the date of your appointment.
- Head to the reception office and present your requirements.
- Fill out the provided forms and submit.
- Pay in cash the applicable fees.
- Then, wait for the issuance of your OEC and other documents.
How to Get OEC Online in Madrid, Spain
Getting an OEC online is only for OFWs considered Balik Manggagawa or workers returning to the same employer and job site with a record on POEA’s database. In addition, returning workers hired by the GBP are also qualified to get their OEC online and enjoy OEC exemption, which no longer requires submitting requirements and paying the OEC processing fee. If you’re a Balik Manggagawa, you can get your OEC online by following 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.
- Afterward, print your OEC online and ensure to only request your OEC within 60 days of your return flight date.
Video: How to Get OEC Balik Manggagawa Online thru New DMW Website
For more details on the OEC issuance, please watch the video below:
As shown in the video, OFWs can book OEC appointments on the POEA’s new website, POPS-BaM. The worker’s data should be complete before booking the appointment, and a confirmed flight date is necessary for the booking. Also, the declared information on the worker’s account should be accurate to avoid disciplinary sanctions. After choosing a schedule, click Print Appointment as a requirement for OEC issuance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please check out the following questions and answers about the OEC certificate process in Madrid:
1. How can I get an OEC exemption in Madrid, Spain?
You can get an OEC exemption in Madrid, Spain, via the POPS-BaM website. But you should be a worker returning to the same employer and job site to get an OEC exemption.
2. How can I book an OEC appointment online?
You must register a POPS-BaM account to book an OEC appointment.
3. Can I get OEC in Madrid, Spain, without an appointment?
No, since the application for OEC requires an appointment.
4. Can I get OEC at the airport?
You can get OEC at the Philippine airport if 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 Madrid, Spain?
The OEC fee in Madrid, Spain, is € 2.00.
7. Can I get OEC without OWWA membership?
No, since OFWs need an active OWWA membership status for OEC issuance.
Summary
To sum up, securing an OEC is beneficial for OFWs, making their departure hassle-free and getting protection from the Philippine government. So OFWs in Spain who are going for a short vacation in the Philippines should get their OEC in the POLO Madrid office if returning in less than 60 days.
However, if the worker is on vacation for more than 60 days, it is ideal getting their OEC in POEA offices in the Philippines since the OEC is only valid for 60 days. Furthermore, workers returning to the same employer should get their OEC online on the POPS-BaM website to prevent overcrowding in the POLO Madrid office.
Contact Details
POLO Madrid, Spain
Operating Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday
Address: Calle Serrano, 161, 28002 Madrid, Spain
Telephone Number: +34 91 782 8624
Email: labouroffice@philembassymadrid.com
Website: https://www.philembassymadrid.com/
Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/PHinSpain, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013408868999
Google Map Location
Below is a map guide to the location of the Madrid POLO-OWWA office: