How to Apply OEC Certificate in New Zealand

If you’re an OFW in New Zealand, you need to secure your OEC when vacationing in the Philippines for leisure or emergency reason. The OEC is an essential document you should apply for at POEA or POLO if you’re returning to your previous employer or exiting the country for employment. Whether it’s your first time working abroad or returning to your job site, you need to get your OEC. So to make the process more convenient for you, here’s our in-depth guide on how to get OEC in New Zealand.

Also Read: Schedule OWWA Appointment Membership Wellington, New Zealand

Applying for Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) assists Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in verifying their employment documents and ensuring that their employer is legal and capable of paying their salary.

Through this, OFWs with OEC won’t be exploited and will receive protection, assistance, and benefits from the government. This document is available at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).

Furthermore, it serves as an exit clearance to pass immigration officers before OFWs leave the Philippine airport for overseas employment. In short, without an OEC, an OFW cannot obtain employment abroad or won’t be able to return to their previous job site. That’s why OFWs in New Zealand are encouraged to apply for their OEC at the POLO Wellington office.

how to get oec certificate in new zealand

Requirements

As stated on the official website of the Philippine Embassy in Wellington, OFWs in New Zealand, Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga, should verify their Employment Contract at POLO Wellington. In addition, after the Contract Verification at the POLO Wellington office, the OEC will be issued at POEA offices in the Philippines according to the POEA Memorandum Circular 02 series of 2019. And to apply for OEC, OFWs should secure the following requirements:

  • Book an OEC appointment on POPS-BaM and select a date and time for the appointment at any POEA office in the Philippines
  • Original Employment Contract with employer and employees signature
  • Copy of Valid Working Visa
  • Valid Passport with at least 6-month validity (copy of photo page)
  • Any proof of existing employment such as Company ID, Certificate of Employment, or latest payslip
  • Sworn Statement explaining how the worker obtained work (for workers without POEA records or who have changed employers on-site)
  • Paid self-addressed return envelope with tracking number sticker (if submitting requirements to POLO Wellington via email)
  • Copy of Signed Addendum (attach compliance with POEA minimum requirements of hiring OFWs)

If the employer doesn’t want to sign Addendum, workers may submit an insurance policy as an alternative document. It should prove the coverage of repatriation and medical evacuation to the Philippines n case the worker suffers from severe illness or sudden death. Furthermore, OFWs should ensure OWWA membership is active before applying for OEC.

Processing Fees

For OEC issuance, pay in cash the following applicable fees at POLO Wellington:

  • OEC processing fee is P100 converted to NZD
  • POLO verification fee of NZD 16.00
  • OWWA membership fee of US$25.00 converted to NZD

Qualifications

Aside from ensuring that OFWs have legal employers abroad, OEC provides them benefits such as travel tax and terminal fees exemption. OFWs who also have an OEC can access reduced travel tax when traveling with their spouse and dependents. So POEA and POLO only issue OEC to the following qualified workers:

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

How to Book an OEC Appointment in POLO New Zealand

While the OEC issuance is at POEA offices in the Philippines, OFWs should visit the POLO Wellington office to submit their requirements to verify their Employment Contract. This process is for OFWs returning overseas to a different employer or job site. But do note that booking an OEC appointment is necessary for OEC issuance, and you should choose a POEA office in the Philippines and not POLO Wellington as the processing site. Also, you need to register a POPS-BaM account to book an OEC appointment by following the steps below:

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

  1. Visit the POEA Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website.
  2. On the e-Registration section, click Let’s Go and Register.
  3. Check the I Accept the Terms of Use.
  4. Fill out the required fields and click Register.
  5. Check your registered email on POPS-BaM and copy the provided Temporary Password.
  6. Input the Temporary Password and change it to your chosen password.
  7. Once you’ve logged in, click My Profile on the right of the dashboard.
  8. Fill out the required details.
  9. Double-check your account details and click Update Profile.
  10. Fill out the Identification Details.
  11. Input your Beneficiary details.
  12. 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 have obtained an Employment Contract verified by POLO Wellington and registered a POPS-BaM account, you may now book an OEC appointment at any POEA office. Additionally, ensure that your POPS-BaM account details are accurate to prevent delays during the OEC processing. As for OFWs with old BM accounts, you should transfer your records to your newly created POPS-BaM account. To do so, click Transfer Old BM records under the DMW Helpdesk section of POPS-BaM. After 8 hours, your details on POPS-BaM will update, and you can proceed to book an appointment at any POEA office in the Philippines by following the steps below:

  1. Visit the POEA Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website.
  2. On the e-Registration section, click Let’s Go and log in.
  3. On the dashboard, click Balik Manggagawa under My Links and click Next.
  4. If your profile is incomplete, provide the required data to proceed.
  5. Input your flight date and click Next.
  6. 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.
  7. Update the details on your contract and click Submit.
  8. Choose a Processing Site and click Next.
  9. Take a screenshot or print your confirmed POPS-BaM appointment form.

How to Apply for OEC in POLO New Zealand

For OFWs in Wellington who are required to visit the POEA office for OEC issuance or those who have changed employers and job sites, you need to personally visit the POLO Wellington office to submit your requirements to verify your Employment Contract. Regarding the Contract Verification, you should also email POLO Wellington to inquire if an appointment is necessary.

Once you’re at POLO Wellington, fill out the necessary forms and submit your requirements. Then, follow the instructions of POLO Wellington to get your OEC at the POEA office in the Philippines.

On the other hand, OFWs outside Wellington should send their documents to the NZPost courier with the tracking number sticker. Then, mail the necessary documents to POLO Wellington Level 1, 286 Thorndon Quay, Pipitea, Wellington, 6011. Keep in mind that POLO Wellington won’t accept applications for verification of the Employment Contract if the worker emails their requirements.

How to Get OEC Online in New Zealand

For Balik Manggagawa or workers returning to the same employer and job site, you have the privilege to get your OEC online. In addition, returning workers employed by GBP can also enjoy OEC exemption and don’t have to visit POLO Wellington and POEA offices. The said workers don’t have to pay the OEC processing fee and no longer need to submit documents since they can print their OEC online via POPS-BaM. To get OEC online, follow the steps below:

  1. Visit the POEA Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website.
  2. On the e-Registration section, click Let’s Go and log in.
  3. If your account details are incomplete, provide the missing data to continue.
  4. Input your Flight Date and click Next.
  5. Answer Yes to the questions to confirm you’re a Balik Mangggagawa or a worker returning to the same employer and job site.
  6. Print your OEC online and request it within 60 days of your return flight date.

Video: 15 STEPS ON HOW TO APPLY OEC FROM POEA FOR DIRECT HIRE

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

As discussed in the video, a passport is essential for OEC issuance and should have at least 6-months of validity from the application. Furthermore, a valid work visa, employment contract, and company profile should be original and authenticated to get a POLO endorsement letter.

OFWs should also submit the additional country-specific requirements if heading to Canada, the USA, Africa, and the Middle East.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

1. How can I get an OEC exemption in New Zealand?

You should have a POPS-BaM account to get an OEC exemption.

2. How can I book an OEC appointment online?

You can book an OEC appointment online via POPS-BaM.

3. Can I get OEC in New Zealand without an appointment?

As of writing, POLO Wellington only processes the verification of the Employment Contract, and the OEC issuance is at POEA offices in the Philippines. So you need to book an appointment to get your OEC at POEA.

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 New Zealand?

The OEC fee is P100 converted to NZD based on the monthly foreign exchange rate.

7. Can I get OEC without OWWA membership?

No, you need an active OWWA membership to get OEC.

Summary

In summary, OFWs in New Zealand can only process the verification of their Employment Contract at the POLO Wellington office, and the OEC issuance is at POEA offices in the Philippines.

So OFWs residing in the area under POLO Wellington jurisdiction should secure their POLO verified Employment Contract before returning to the Philippines since it’s a primary requirement for OEC issuance. Also, you should email POLO Wellington for any queries or the latest procedure for OEC issuance.

Contact Details

POLO-OWWA Wellington, New Zealand
Operating Hours: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday
Address: Level 1, 286 Thorndon Quay, Pipitea, Wellington, New Zealand
POLO Telephone Number: (00644) 260 1161
Philippine Embassy New Zealand Telephone Numbers: (04) 8903741, (04) 8903742, (04) 8903744
Emails: polo.newzealand@philembassy.org.nz, owwa.newzealand@philembassy.org.nz, wellington.pe@philembassy.org.nz
Website: https://booking.philembassy.org.nz/
Facebook Page: https://web.facebook.com/PHLinNZ

Google Map Location

Please see the map guide to the location of POLO-office in Wellington below:

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