How to Apply OEC Certificate in Taichung, Taiwan

For OFWs in Taichung, it is essential to get your OEC if vacationing in the Philippines, whether for leisure or emergency reason and return to Taiwan to continue or fulfill your employment contract. This document will serve as a certification of the legality of overseas work and an exit pass when leaving the Philippine airport for employment reasons. And if you’re planning to go on a vacation in the Philippines soon, here’s our in-depth guide on the application procedure of OEC in Taichung, Taiwan.

Also Read: Schedule OWWA Appointment Membership Taichung, Taiwan

Whether you’re leaving the Philippines for the first time to work abroad or a worker returning to your job site, the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is one of the primary documents you need to secure as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). This document is from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) to ensure OFWs are protected and receive benefits and assistance from the government.

Furthermore, it is an exit clearance that OFWs must present to immigration officers before they’re allowed to leave the Philippine airport for employment reasons. Without an OEC, OFWs won’t be allowed to leave the country. So OFWs in Taichung are encouraged to get their OEC at the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Philippines’ representative office in Taiwan.

how to get oec certificate in taichung taiwan

Requirements

According to POEA, here are the following requirements returning OFWs need to comply with to get an OEC in MECO Taichung:

For workers with existing POEA records vacationing for the first time and returning to the same employer and job site to fulfill or extend their employment contract

  • POPS-BaM Appointment form
  • BM Information Sheet
  • Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)
  • Valid Passport with Re-entry Visa and at least 6-month validity (copy of photo page)
  • Valid Work Visa, Work Permit, or any equivalent document
  • POLO verified the Employment Contract

For workers with existing POEA records returning to the same employer but in a different job site

  • POPS-BaM Appointment form
  • BM Information Sheet
  • Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)
  • Valid Passport with Re-entry Visa and at least 6-month validity (copy of photo page)
  • Valid Work Visa, Work Permit, or any equivalent document
  • POLO verified Employment Contract
  • Letter from the employer confirming the worker’s transfer of job site

For workers without existing POEA records and those who have changed employers on-site

  • POPS-BaM Appointment form
  • BM Information Sheet
  • Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)
  • Valid Passport with Re-entry Visa and at least 6-month validity (copy of photo page)
  • Valid Work Visa, Work Permit, or any equivalent document
  • POLO verified Employment Contract
  • Sworn Statement explaining how the worker obtained employment

On the contrary, workers without a verified Employment Contract cannot directly secure their OEC. They must first request a Verification of Employment Contract before applying for OEC. In addition, an active OWWA membership status is necessary to get OEC.

Processing Fees

To get your OEC in MECO Taichung, here are the applicable fees you need to pay, converted to New Taiwan dollars based on the daily foreign exchange rate:

  • OEC processing fee of P100
  • OWWA membership fee of US$25

Qualifications

While POEA’s purpose of issuing OEC is to protect OFWs from exploitation, this document also comes with benefits from the government, such as travel tax and terminal fees exemption. It also offers lower travel tax to OFWs traveling with their spouses and dependents. Thus, POEA, POLO, and MECO issue the OEC to the following qualified workers:

  • OFWs who acquired work from an overseas Employer or Sponsor via direct hiring
  • OFWs who acquired employment 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 on-site

Nonetheless, Filipinos holding the following status no longer require getting OEC as per POEA:

  • Immigrant
  • Permanent Resident
  • Dependent/Spouse of Foreign National
  • Intra-Company Transferee
  • Vacationing OFWs visiting other countries, except their job site
  • Trainee
  • US J1 Visa holder/ Cultural Exchange Programs
  • Other Non-OFW Status as evaluated

How to Book an OEC Appointment in MECO Taichung, Taiwan

Although OFWs in Taiwan need to apply for OEC in MECO Taichung, it is still necessary to book an OEC appointment since it’s a requirement for OEC issuance. Remember, the appointment is only for OFWs returning to Taiwan with a different employer or job site and those who don’t have existing POEA records. OFW should also register a POPS-BaM account before booking an OEC appointment. To do so, follow the steps below:

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

  1. Visit the DMW 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’ve successfully registered a POPS-BAM account, accomplish and review your employment details to avoid delays during the issuance of your OEC. Also, don’t register more than one POPS-BaM account since the system will have problems processing your OEC. For those with an old BM account, you can transfer your records to your newly registered POPS-BaM account under the DMW Helpdesk section. Click Transfer old BM record, wait for at least 8 hours before booking an OEC appointment by following the steps below:

  1. Visit the DMW 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 MECO Taichung, Taiwan

As stated earlier, only OFWs returning to a different employer and job site are required to book an OEC appointment and personally apply on-site. On the other hand, OFWs without existing POEA records, a verified Employment Contract, and who arrived in Taiwan with a tourist or visit visa and obtained a work visa cannot get their OEC in MECO Taichung. Instead, the said workers need to book an appointment for Contract Verification and then book an OEC appointment at POEA offices in the Philippines. To apply for OEC in MECO Taichung, follow the steps below:

  1. Visit MECO Taichung, Taiwan, on your appointment date.
  2. Head to the receptionist and submit your requirements.
  3. Accomplish the forms handed out by the receptionist.
  4. Pay the applicable fees.
  5. Wait for the issuance of your OEC and other documents.

How to Get OEC Online in Taichung, Taiwan

If you’re a Balik Manggagawa or a worker returning to the same employer and job site or hired by GBP, you can get OEC online in Taichung via the POPS-BaM system. The said workers can enjoy OEC exemption and no longer need to apply on-site and pay the OEC processing fees. To get OEC online, follow the steps below:

  1. Visit the DMW 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 ensure to only request your OEC within 60 days of your return flight date.

Video: MECO Taichung OEC Certificate

Check out this video on how of an OFW in Taichung on how he was able to secure an OEC at the MECO Taichung office. This is for reference to all OFWs based in this city:

Video: NO VERIFICATION EMAIL NO PROBLEM//POEA REGISTRATION JUNE 2022 BALIK MANGGAGAWA OEC EXEMPTION

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

As discussed in the video, OFWs can now get an OEC exemption using POPS-BaM. Also, prepare your valid passport to complete the account setup. OFWs with old BM accounts can also create a ticket to match the employment details to their new POPS-BaM account. If the worker is qualified to get an OEC exemption, they can print their OEC online.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

1. How can I get an OEC exemption in Taichung, Taiwan?

Log in to your POPS-BaM account and ensure you’re a Balik Manggagawa to get an OEC exemption.

2. How can I book an OEC appointment online?

Log in to POPS-BaM and select the processing site for OEC issuance.

3. Can I get OEC in Taichung, Taiwan, without an appointment?

It is necessary to book an appointment to visit MECO Taichung, Taiwan.

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 valid for 60 days.

6. How much is the OEC fee in Taichung, Taiwan?

The OEC fee in Taichung, Taiwan, is P100 converted to New Taiwan Dollar.

7. Can I get OEC without OWWA membership?

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

Summary

To sum up, OFWs in Taichung qualified and required to get an OEC should secure their exit clearance before their return flight to Taiwan. Moreover, ensure that when you’re requesting your OEC, it is still valid on your return flight date.

For OFWs considered Balik Manggagawa, POEA recommends getting your OEC online via POPS-BaM.

Contact Details

OWWA Taichung
Operating Hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Tuesday, 8:00 am to 3:30 pm, Wednesday to Friday
Address: Manila Economic & Cultural Office, 239 Min Chuan Road corner Taichung Gang Road, Taichung City, Taiwan
MECO Taichung Contact Number: 04-2322-8835
OWWA: 04-2322-8836 ext. 252
MECO Labor Center: 04-2322-8836 ext. 231
OWWA Taichung Email: owwa_taichung@yahoo.com
Website: https://www.meco.org.tw/
Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/MECO.official/

Google Map Location

Please see the map guide to the location of MECO-office in Taichung below:

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