Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)

The Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is a requirement under the rules and regulations of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to help ensure that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are properly documented and protected.

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) travelling to the Philippines from Macau SAR and intending to return to resume their employment are advised to obtain Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO),Philippine Consulate General in Macau.

Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is a clearance issued to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), known as Balik-Manggagawa (BM) to enable them facilitate exit from the Philippines. OEC holders are exempted from paying the travel tax and the airport terminal fee. For OFWs in Macau, there are two ways of applying for the OEC. The first is in the Philippines, and the second is in Philippines General Consulate in Macau, located at Units 1404-1406, 14/F, AIA Tower, Avenida Comercial de Macau.

Client/s/Applicant/s
OFWs on leave/vacationing or returning to same employer after a specified term of contract or to same employer who has transferred to another jobsite. Undocumented OFWs (tourists, dependents, students, businessman) who became OFWs and have partially served the same employer.

Applying in the Philippines
Applying for the OEC in the Philippines has been made more convenient by POEA with the launch of an online appointment system. OFWs can get an appointment by accessing the POEA website at www.poea.gov.ph. Click here to access the Balik-Manggagawa OEC system, where you can choose the location to get the OEC.

To avoid long queues for the OEC application, the POEA has put up counters at the following:
(1) POEA main office in Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City;
(2) Duty Free Philippines in Parañaque City;
(3) SM-Manila near Manila City Hall; and
(4) Trinoma Mall in Quezon City.

If you are staying in the Philippines for five (5) days or less, you can get the OEC at the Labor Assistance Counter of the airport terminal.

For OFWs staying in the provinces, you can walk-in at the POEA Regional Offices nearest your place without making an appointment. For a list of regional offices, click here.

Applying in Macau
As a second option, OECs may also be obtained at the Philippine Embassy in Macau through walk-in application.

• Requirements:

1. Valid original passport 

2. Official Receipt/E-Receipt for the valid OWWA Membership payment** 

3. Valid re-entry visa, work permit/license (Maroon Booklet) or any equivalent document. 

4. Copy of Plane ticket or printed e-ticket 

5. Others, as may be necessary - Any proof that OFW is returning to the same employer (such as: company ID, employment certificate, pay slip, etc). for WOL/BMs with newly issued documents and visas or if OFW has no record on file at POEA.

6. Payment of 23 MOP or 20 RMB

Take note that the personal appearance of the applicant is required. And for the pusrpose of getting an OWWA Membership Receipt, the above no. 3 requirement and contract of employment or any equivalent requirement employment document (like your Macau working ID or also known as "Blue Card") must be presented by the applicant OFW.