OFWs in Taipei going home to the Philippines for vacation or due to emergency reasons and returning to Taiwan to fulfill or extend their employment contract should secure their OEC before their flight back to their job site. This document is necessary for the first time and for returning workers since it verifies legal employment overseas. So if you’re vacationing in the Philippines soon, read our in-depth guide on how to get OEC in Taipei, Taiwan.
Also Read: Schedule OWWA Appointment Membership Taipei, Taiwan
Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) primary purpose is to verify Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) employment abroad and the legality of their employer. In addition, it is an exit clearance that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) issue to OFWs.
Then, present to immigration officers in the Philippine airport before allowing workers to depart to their job site. In short, OFWs who are required to get an OEC won’t be permitted to leave the Philippine airport if they cannot present a valid one. Also, for OFWs in Taipei, you can apply at the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) since they manage the OEC issuance in Taiwan instead of POLO.
Contents
Requirements
If you’re vacationing in the Philippines and returning to Taiwan afterward, here are the following documentary requirements for OEC issuance at the MECO Taipei office according to POEA:
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 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 other hand, if your Employment Contract is not yet verified, you need to apply for Contract Verification before securing an OEC since it’s a primary requirement. You should also ensure that you have an active OWWA membership status or renew it online to make the OEC processing easier.
Processing Fees
If you’re applying at MECO Taipei, here are the applicable fees for OEC issuance, converted to New Taiwan Dollar based on the foreign exchange rate:
- OEC processing fee of P100
- OWWA membership fee of US$25
Qualifications
Aside from ensuring OFW’s legal employment overseas, OEC also entitles the holder to travel tax and terminal fees exemption. Workers with valid OEC traveling with their spouses and dependents can also access lower travel tax. However, POLO, POEA, and MECO will only issue OEC to the following 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
On the other hand, according to POEA, Filipinos who hold the following status don’t need to get an OEC whenever traveling:
- 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 Taipei, Taiwan
While there is no POLO in Taiwan, OFWs still need to book an OEC appointment to visit the MECO Taipei office. Furthermore, the appointment is only necessary for OFWs returning to a different employer or job site and those without existing records with POEA. You’ll also need an active email to register a POPS-BaM account by following the steps below:
How to Register on POPS-BaM (For New Users)
- Visit the DMW 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
If you already have a POPS-BaM account, ensure that your employment details are accurate and don’t register more than one account, as it can cause conflict during the OEC processing. You can also transfer your record on POPS-BaM if you have an old BM account. Go to the POPS-BaM DMW Helpdesk section and click Transfer Old BM record. Wait for 6-8 hours to update the details on your POPS-BaM account. Then, follow the steps below to book an OEC appointment in POPS-BaM:
- Visit the DMW 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.
- Take a screenshot or print your confirmed POPS-BaM appointment form.
How to Apply for OEC in MECO Taipei, Taiwan
For OFWs not qualified to get an OEC exemption, ensure to book an appointment before visiting MECO Taipei. However, MECO cannot release the OEC of OFWs without verified Employment Contracts, existing records with POEA, and came into the country with a tourist or visit visa and obtained a work visa. The said workers should first process the verification of their Employment Contract and book an OEC appointment with POEA offices in the Philippines.
- Go to MECO Taipei, Taiwan, office on your appointment date.
- Proceed to the reception officer and present your requirements.
- Fill out the forms provided by the reception officer.
- Pay for the applicable fees.
- Wait for the release of your OEC and other documents.
How to Get OEC Online in Taipei, Taiwan
As for Balik Manggagawa or workers returning to the same employer and job site, you no longer have to visit MECO Taipei since you can get OEC exemption online using POPS-BaM. It also applies to returning workers employed by the GBP, which exempts them from paying the OEC processing fee. To get OEC online in Taipei, Taiwan, follow the steps below:
- Visit the DMW 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.
- Print your OEC online and ensure to only request your OEC within 60 days of your return flight date.
Video: MECO Taipei OEC Certificate
Check out this video on how of an OFW in Taipei on how he was able to secure an OEC at the MECO Taipei office. This is for reference to all OFWs based in this city:
Video: HOW TO GET OEC EXEMPTION ONLINE | POEA Online Processing System for Balik-Manggagawa (POPS-BaM)
For more details on OEC, please watch the video below:
As discussed in the video, OFWs qualified to get an OEC exemption online don’t need to book an appointment and personally visit POEA or POLO. By registering a POPS-BaM account, Balik Manggagawa or OFWs returning to the same worker and job site can get their OEC online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please check out these common questions and answers about the process of getting an OEC in Taipei:
1. How can I get an OEC exemption in Taipei, Taiwan?
As long as you’re returning to the same employer and job site, you can get an OEC exemption using POPS-BaM.
2. How can I book an OEC appointment online?
Log in to your POPS-BaM account to book an OEC appointment.
3. Can I get OEC in Taipei, Taiwan, without an appointment?
An appointment is necessary for an OEC appointment.
4. Can I get OEC at the airport?
You can get OEC if you’re on emergency leave or have confirmed flight bookings.
5. How long is OEC valid?
OEC is valid for 60 days.
6. How much is the OEC fee in Taipei, Taiwan?
The OEC fee in Taipei 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
In summary, OFWs in Taipei can apply for their OEC at the MECO office if returning overseas with a different employer and job site. For OFWs returning to the same employer and job site, you can get your OEC online via POPS-BaM. Also, before your flight back to Taiwan, ensure that your OEC is still valid to avoid delay.
Contact Details
MECO-OWWA Taipei
Operating Hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Tuesday
8:00 am to 3:30 pm, Wednesday to Friday
Address: 2F, Chang Hong New Era Building No. 55 & 57 Zhouzi Street, Neihu District, Taipei City, Taiwan 114
Email: meco@meco.org.tw, evelyn_owwataipei@yahoo.com
Telephone Number: (886) 2-2658-8825, (02) 2658-8299, 0900218895, 0925-228878
Website: https://www.meco.org.tw/, https://www.meco-labor.org.tw/
Facebook Page: https://web.facebook.com/MECO.official/
Google Map Location
Below is a map guide to the location of the Rome POLO-OWWA office (MECO Office) in Taipei: