1. PART C. OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT
CERTIFICATE AND OWWA MEMBERSHIP
GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
Sec. 28-35, DOLE AO 168, s. 2013
2. WHAT IS AN OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATE?
• Overseas Employment Certificate or OEC serves as an exit clearance
for all departing OFWs, whether new hires or Balik Manggagawa
(BM).
• Aside from being an exit clearance, OECs serve as an exemption from
payment of travel tax and airport terminal fee.
• OECs can be secured at the POLO or at POEA and other authorized
offices before departure
Sec. 28, DOLE AO 168, s. 2013
3. WHO ARE CONSIDERED AS WORKERS-ON-LEAVE OR
BM?
An OFW returning to the same employer;
An OFW who changed employer in the same jobsite provided a proof
of the new employment contract duly verified by the POLO is shown;
Undocumented/irregular workers who became OFWs and have
partially served their duly verified employment contracts;
An OFW who will transfer to another jobsite/country with the same
employer
Sec. 29, DOLE AO 168, s. 2013
4. WHO ARE NOT CLASSIFIED AS WORKERS-ON-LEAVE
OR BM?
Dependent of OFWs
Students
Businessmen
Tourists
Dependents/relatives of PE/Consulate staff including their household
who are not OFWs and are holding diplomatic or official passports
Other who are not considered overseas contract workers, including
members of the religious and missionary organizations
Sec. 30, DOLE AO 168, s. 2013
5. WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTARY REQUIRMENTS FOR
THE ISSUANCE OF OEC?
Accomplished BM Info Sheet
Valid passport
Valid re-entry visa, work permit, or any equivalent document;
Copy of valid employment contract or any proof of existing
employment;
Proof of valid membership to Pag-Ibig HDF (where applicable)
Sec. 31, DOLE AO 168, s. 2013
6. REMEMBER:
• If documents are found in order, OFW shall pay corresponding OEC
fee of Php100.00 or its equivalent in the Post’s currency to the
designated collecting officer.
Sec. 32, DOLE AO 168, s. 2013
7. VALIDITY OF OECS
A Single OEC is valid for sixty (60) days from the date of issue to an
extended period of time as maybe approved by the POEA
Administrator.
Multiple OEC is valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance
provided the employment with the same employer is maintained
during the period and subject to POEA guidelines.
Sec. 33, DOLE AO 168, s. 2013
9. WHO CAN APPLY FOR OWWA MEMBERSHIP?
OFWs who have renewed or shall renew their employment contracts
on-site;
OFWs in host countries where there is no OWWA office/designated
collecting officer;
Former natural born Filipino citizen permanently residing and
gainfully employed abroad who obtained dual citizenship under RA
9225.
Sec. 34, DOLE AO 168, s. 2013
10. WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS?
• Valid passport and work permit
• Any documentary permit such as employment contract, certificate of
employment, company ID, pay slip, etc.
• Duly filled-p declaration of intention for OWWA membership
• Valid Philippine passport or sworn petition for reacquisition and oath
f allegiance duly authenticated by the PE/PCG (for natural born
citizens who acquired dual citizenship)
Sec. 34, DOLE AO 168, s. 2013
11. MEMBERSHIP/RENEWAL FEES
• OWWA Contribution: US$25.00 or its equivalent in local currency or
Philippine peso, per contract per person. This shall be valid for a
maximum period of two (2) years, renewable for even periods.
• Official receipt and Certificate of Membership (COM) coverage shall
be issued upon payment to OWWA designated /deputized collection
officers at POLO on-site.
Sec. 34, DOLE AO 168, s. 2013
