How to Apply OEC Certificate in Washington DC, USA

For OFWs in the USA or any Caribbean territories, it is necessary to apply for your OEC certificate when going for vacation leave in the Philippines and returning to your job site to fulfill or extend your employment.

OEC is also essential for first-time workers, verifying their employment overseas and as a pass when leaving the Philippine airport for employment reasons. So OFWs in the USA are encouraged to apply for OEC through POLO Washington DC. And if you’re wondering how to get OEC in Washington DC, USA, read this in-depth guide.

Also Read: Schedule OWWA Appointment Membership Washington DC, USA

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) purpose of issuing Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is to ensure that they have obtained legal employment abroad and protect them from exploitation.

Through the OEC, OFWs can receive government protection, assistance, and benefits and can also be available at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).

In addition, it acts as an exit clearance that OFWs should show to immigration officers before departing the Philippine airport to work abroad. In short, OFWs who failed to present a valid OEC cannot return to their job site overseas. Thus, OFWs in the USA and Caribbean territories are encouraged to apply for OEC at the POLO Washington DC office.

Contents

Requirements

As stated on the official Facebook page of POLO Washington DC, here are the following requirements to comply with for OFWs who are not qualified to get OEC exemption:

POPS-BaM Appointment form
BM Information Sheet
Valid Passport with at least 6-month validity (copy of photo page)
Valid Work Visa, Work Permit, or Notice of Action
Employment Contract verified by POLO Washington DC
Self-addressed/stamped/prepaid return envelope
Pay fees via US Bank Draft or US Money order

Additional Documents

On the contrary, OFWs without a verified Employment Contract by POLO Washington DC should process Contract Verification since it’s a primary requirement for OEC issuance. To do so, here are the additional documents for verification of the Employment Contract:

For Land-Based Domestic Workers

Domestic Contract (for US)
Individual Employment Contract for Domestic Workers (for Islands)
Work permit
Worker’s valid Passport (Copy of Data page)
Affidavit of Employer on Covid-19 (Notarized)
Copy of Employer’s ID
Employers Information Card
Employee’s Information Card
Proof of Employment, such as latest Certificate of Employment, Company ID, or latest payslip
Notarized PAOS Undertaking (for Direct Hire and Agency Hire)
Template from PRA (for Agency Hire)

For Land-Based Professional/Skilled Workers

POEA Individual Employment Contract (IEC) for Various Skills
Employment Contract and signed Addendum
Work visa (for US)
Work permit (for Islands)
Worker’s valid Passport (Copy of Data page)
Affidavit of Employer on Covid-19 (Notarized)
Secretary’s Certificate OR Authorization
Copy of Valid ID of Signatory
Business/ Employer’s Information Card
Employee’s Information Card
Proof of Employment, such as latest Certificate of Employment, Company ID, or latest payslip
Notarized PAOS Undertaking (for Agency Hire)

Processing Fees

The following are the applicable fees for OEC issuance at POLO Washington DC:

OEC Processing fee of US$2
POLO Verification fee of US$10
OWWA membership fee of US$25

Qualifications

However, not all OFWs can get OEC as POEA, and POLO only issues it to qualified workers. OEC holders can also receive government benefits such as travel tax and terminal fees exemption. Furthermore, OFWs with OEC traveling with their spouse and dependents can enjoy reduced travel tax. So before securing the stated requirements for the OEC application, check if you fall under the following qualified workers:

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

How to Book an OEC Appointment in POLO Washington DC, USA

For OFWs vacationing in the Philippines and returning to a different employer and job site in the USA, you should book an OEC appointment with POLO Washington DC. But first, OFWs need to register a POPS-BaM account to book an appointment. To do so, 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 you have a registered POPS-BaM account, you can book an OEC appointment with POLO Washington DC. Nonetheless, ensure that you’ve got a complete profile setup, provided accurate details, and only register one account to avoid issues when processing your OEC. Also, if you have an old BM account, you should transfer your records to POPS-BaM. Look for the DMW Helpdesk section on POPS-BaM and click Transfer Old BM records. Next, wait for up to 8 hours and proceed to book an OEC appointment 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.
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 Get an OEC Balik Manggagawa Certificate in POLO Washington DC, USA

If you’re an OFW in the USA or Caribbean territories, returning to a different employer and job site, you should apply for your OEC at POLO Washington DC. So booking an appointment is necessary. On the contrary, OFWs don’t need to visit personally on the scheduled appointment. Instead, they should mail their requirements to:

POLO-WDC Mailing Address:
Philippine Overseas Labor Office
Embassy of the Philippines
1617 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington DC, USA 20036

Do note that OEC requirements should be sent via mail and pay fees at US Bank Draft or US Money Order before the appointment. For the verification of the Employment Contract and OEC processing fee, you can pay it to the Philippine Embassy, while the OWWA membership fee is to OWWA.

Also, as of writing, the applicable fees are not payable with a debit/credit card or personal check. Then, wait for an email indicating your OEC is in process and ready to be printed. To do so, log in to your POPS-BaM account. Next, click the My Transaction Page and click Print OEC.

How to Get OEC Online in Washington DC, USA

For OFWs in the USA and Caribbean territories, who are considered Balik Manggagawa or workers returning to the same employer and job site, you are qualified to get an OEC exemption, which allows you to print your OEC online.

Moreover, if you’re a returning worker hired by GBP, you are also qualified to get an OEC exemption. But the best thing about OEC exemption is that you don’t need to submit documents and no longer need to pay the OEC fee. To get OEC online in Washington DC, follow 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.
Print your OEC online and ensure to only request your OEC within 60 days of your return flight date.

Video: Things to know about OEC or Overseas Employment Certificate

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

As discussed in the video, the OEC certifies that an individual is a registered and legal overseas worker. Additionally, POEA requires all OFWs to acquire an OEC if leaving or returning to work abroad. Thus, OFWs should always keep an active OEC when passing the airport immigration.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

1. How can I get an OEC exemption in Washington DC, USA?

2. How can I book an OEC appointment online?

Log in to your POPS-BaM account and indicate that you’re not returning to the same employer or job site, so you can proceed with booking an OEC appointment.

3. Can I get OEC in Washington DC, USA, without an appointment?

Although the OEC application in Washington DC is via mail, you need to book an OEC appointment before sending your requirements to the POLO office.

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 Washington DC, USA?

The OEC fee in Washington DC, USA, is US$2.

7. Can I get OEC without OWWA membership?

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

Summary

Overall, applying for OEC through POLO Washington DC is quite convenient for OFWs since they can process and submit their requirements based on their free time. In addition, OFWs in the USA don’t need to apply on-site since they should send their documents to POLO Washing DC mail and wait for the issuance of their OEC and print it on POPS-BaM.

That’s why OFWs in the USA and Caribbean territories should apply for their OEC before departing the Philippine airport to continue or fulfill their work abroad.