For OFWs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ensure that you have a valid OEC every time on vacation in the Philippines and return to Riyadh to continue or extend your employment. OEC is also necessary to confirm that you’re a legal and documented worker. So if you’re wondering how to apply for OEC in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, keep reading.
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) issues the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to ensure the legality of their worker and confirm proper documentation.
Also Read: Schedule OWWA Appointment and Membership in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
OEC is also an exit clearance that OFWs need to present to the immigration officers in the Philippines before they’re permitted to leave the country. Thus, OFWs should be familiar with the latest application process to get an OEC in the POLO Riyadh office.
Contents
Requirements
If you’re going on a quick vacation in the Philippines or your contract has ended, and you’ll return to Riyadh to fulfill or extend your employment contract, here are the following requirements you need to comply with when applying for OEC at the POLO Riyadh office:
- Printed POPS-BaM Appointment form
- POLO Verified Employment Contract
- Valid Work Visa
- Official receipt of OWWA Membership
- Original and two photocopies of Passport valid for at least six months before the date of departure)
- Photocopy of Confirmed 2-way Airline Ticket
Additional Documents
If the worker doesn’t have POLO Verified Employment Contract, bring the original and three photocopies of the following document to process verification of the contract:
- Passport
- Employment Contract (with the employer and employees sign on each page)
- Proof of existing employment (Certificate of Employment, Company ID, latest payslip)
- Sworn Statement explaining the employment process (for workers that changed employers or sponsor on-site)
- Letter from the employer verifying the workers’ transfer to a different job site (for workers returning to the same employer but in a new work location)
For Domestic Workers that transferred sponsors (Household Service Worker, Family Driver, House Security Staff, Gardener, etc.)
- Copy of Exit and Re-entry Visa
- Compiled in one bond paper:
- Photocopy of the workers’ valid Iqama
- Photocopy of sponsor or employer’s National ID
- A signature, Mobile Number, and Email Address of the Sponsor or Employer
- Address of the household where the worker is employed
For Semi-Skilled Workers that transferred sponsors (Beautician, Tailor, Salon Worker, etc.)
- Latest POLO Verified Employment Contract
- Copy of Exit and Re-entry Visa
- Compiled in one bond paper:
- Photocopy of the workers’ valid Iqama
- Photocopy of sponsor or employer’s National ID
- A signature, Mobile Number, and Email Address of the Sponsor or Employer
- Address of the household where the worker is employed
For Skilled Workers and Professionals that transferred sponsors
Submit any of the following:
- Certificate of Employment
- Employment Contract
- Photocopy of Employment ID
Processing Fees
Here are the applicable fees to ensure the issuance of your OEC:
- OEC processing fee of SAR 9.00
- OWWA membership fee of SAR 94.00
- Pag-IBIG monthly savings fee of SAR 10.00
For workers who don’t have a verified contract, pay the following fees:
- Verification of Contract fee of SAR 40.00
- Notarial fee of SAR 100.00 (per contract)
Qualifications
POEA’s purpose in issuing the OEC is to ensure that OFWs undergo legal recruitment and proper documentation to obtain overseas employment. Furthermore, OEC assures that OFWs can benefit from the assistance and programs of the Philippine government while working abroad. Thus, POEA and POLO only issue 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 Riyadh
How to Book an OEC Appointment in POLO Riyadh
According to the announcement on the Embassy of the Philippines in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, website, the Embassy, and the POLO Riyadh office strictly implements a “No Online Appointment, No OEC Issuance” policy. So OFWs applying for an OEC should book an appointment on the new online appointment system POPS-BaM.
But before booking an OEC appointment with POLO Riyadh, ensure that you have an active OWWA membership and POLO verified Employment Contract since it’s a requirement to get an OEC. And if you don’t have an e-Registration account on POPS-BaM, follow the steps below.
How to Register on POPS-BaM (For New Users)
- Go to 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 the email you registered on POPS-BaM and copy the given Temporary Password.
- Input the Temporary Password and change it to your chosen password.
- On the dashboard, click My Profile.
- Provide 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 clear copy of your Passport to complete your account setup.
How to book an OEC Appointment in POPS-BaM
After setting up your POPS-BaM account, proceed with booking an OEC appointment with the POLO Riyadh office. Also, for those with an old BM account, you can go to the POPS-BaM website.
On the POEA Helpdesk section, click Transfer Old BM records to match the information to your newly created POPS-BaM account. Wait for 2-6 hours to update your POPS-BaM account details, and book an OEC appointment by following these steps:
- Go to the POEA Online Services Portal/ POPS-BaM website.
- On the e-Registration section, click Let’s Go and log in.
- Click Balik Mangaggawa under My Links and tap Next.
- If your account lacks details, 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, answer NO to the question to continue booking.
- Update or change the details on your contract and click Submit.
- Choose a Processing Site for the appointment and click Next.
- Then, take a screenshot or print your confirmed booking appointment schedule.
How to Apply for OEC in POLO Riyadh
Once you have a confirmed appointment schedule with the POLO Riyadh office, ensure to arrive on time on the day of your appointment. Also, bring the necessary documents and your proof of booked appointment to get your OEC. Take note that applying for OEC in POLO Riyadh is recommended for OFWs returning to a different employer or changing employers on-site.
On the other hand, POLO Riyadh will not issue OEC to OFWs who came to the nation with a tourist or visit visa and converted to a work visa. Instead, they must apply for OEC in POEA offices back in the Philippines to get recorded on the database. The POLO office can only verify their employment contract as a requirement to get an OEC. To apply for OEC, follow these steps:
- Go to the POLO Riyadh office and proceed to the reception desk to submit your requirements for verification.
- Head to the counter to get a queuing number.
- Pay all the applicable fees.
- Wait for the issuance of your OEC and other documents.
Also, ensure to bring extra copies of your requirements and a ballpen for filling out forms.
How to Get OEC Online in Riyadh
If you’re a Balik Maggagawa or a worker returning to the same employer and job site with an existing POEA database record, you can get OEC online and exemption. Moreover, returning workers employed by the GBP are qualified to avail of OEC exemption and can print their OEC online via POPS-BaM. To do so, follow these steps:
- Go to the POEA Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website.
- On the e-Registration section, click Let’s Go and log in.
- If your account lacks data, provide the missing data to continue.
- Input your Flight Date and click Next.
- Confirm that you’re a Balik Manggagawa or returning to the same employer and job site by answering Yes to the questions.
- Then, print your OEC online. Remember, only request OEC 60 days within your confirmed return flight date.
Video: Bagong Proses sa Pagkuha ng OEC Exemption
For more details on OEC, please watch the video below:
As discussed in the video, the new process to get an OEC exemption is through the POPS-BaM system. The speaker also stated the individuals qualified to access the new system. Additionally, 5 OEC exemptions are granted per year to all OFWs, while 90 OEC exemptions are available to airline pilots and flight attendants.
FAQs
1. How can I get an OEC exemption in Riyadh?
You can get an OEC exemption if you’re a Balik Manggagawa or returning to the same employer and job site. Then, print your OEC online via the POPS-BaM website.
2. How can I book an OEC appointment online?
You need to register an account on POPS-BaM to book an OEC appointment online.
3. Can I get OEC in Riyadh without an appointment?
No, since the Embassy and POLO Riyadh office requires an appointment for OEC issuance.
4. Can I get OEC at the airport?
OFWs can get OEC at the Philippine airport if on emergency leave or have confirmed flight bookings.
5. How long is OEC valid?
OEC is only valid for 60 days upon issuance.
6. How much is the OEC fee in Riyadh?
The OEC fee in Riyadh is SAR 9.00.
7. Can I get OEC without OWWA membership?
No, an active OWWA membership is a requirement to get OEC.
Summary
Applying for OEC in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is very easy and only requires an appointment and submitting of necessary documents. Also, Balik Manggagawa is encouraged to get their OEC online to avoid overcrowding in the POLO Riyadh office.
Thus, OFWs vacationing in the Philippines and returning to Riyadh in less than 60 days should apply for OEC in POLO Riyadh.
Contact Details
POLO Riyadh
Operating Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday to Thursday
Address: 3267 Makkah Al Mukarramah Branch Road, Al Mutamarat, Riyadh 12711 8103
Mobile: 050 285 0944
Email: poloriyadh@dole.gov.ph (For Administrative Concerns)
riyadh@owwa.gov.ph (For labor/welfare and other employment-related queries)
Website: https://poloksa-ph.com/, https://riyadhpe.dfa.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069337504462
Google Map Location
Below is a map guide of the POLO-OWWA Riyadh office. This is the new location of the POLO office so please be guided.