Are you a vacationing OFW returning to work abroad? Do you need to obtain an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) from POEA without having to leave the comfort of your home? Then you can register for the Balik Manggagawa (BM) online service available to get that OEC.
The waiting lines for processing an OEC as an OFW returning abroad are so long since there are thousands of Filipinos working abroad. It is even more difficult to process on holidays. To resolve this, the POEA created an online service that can cater to the returning OFWs’ needs.
The goal of this service is to speed up the processing of BM workers who want to return to their employers abroad.
Table of Contents
What is Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing System?
Balik-Manggagawa translates to ‘vacationing or returning OFWs‘ and there is a BM Online processing system where these OFWs can go in order to get an OEC to save you from the hassle of commuting and the costs of transportation. There is no need to go to the POEA or POLO offices to get an OEC as you can process it online.
Benefits
The benefits of availing of this online service are the following:
- Getting of OEC anytime and anywhere
- Saving you from the hassle of commuting
- Saves your energy
- Saves your time
- Balik-Manggagawa OEC is the OFWs work permit abroad.
- Payment receipt of your monthly contributions( PHILHEALTH, PAG-IBIG, OWWA membership and POEA processing fee).
- Exemption from travel taxes and terminal fees will be given to OFWs once they have their OEC.
Requirements
The requirements for availing of this online service are the following:
- Passport with at least six months validity before flight schedule
- Valid work visa/permit
- Valid Employment Contract
Qualifications
This is open for all:
- OFWs who return to the same employer after a vacation or leave.
- OFWs who return to the same employer but was transferred to another job.
- OFW partially serves the current employer.
- An undocumented OFW who became an OFW and partially served the same employer.
How to Sign up for Balik-Manggagawa Online Appointment Processing System
Here is the step-by-step guide on how to sign up for Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing System.
Using the old link/ site – https://www.bmonline.ph/
1. Visit the BMOnline.ph website via this URL – https://www.bmonline.ph/
2. Register and Create an Account
- Enter the necessary details: complete ,date of birth, gender and active email address.
- Create your password composed of six characters which consists of letters with at least one uppercase letter, numbers and special characters.
- Then, click ‘I’m not a robot’.
- Next, click the ‘I ACCEPT THE TERMS OF SERVICE’ to check the box.
- Lastly, press the ‘Sign Me Up’.
- A message will pop up to confirm successful registration.
- Open your email to check if a message was sent to you by the POEA. If you cannot find the message in your inbox, check you ‘Spam’ emails.
- Click the link on the message for account activation. A message will pop-up to confirm account activation.
- Hit the ‘Okay’ button to proceed.
3. Log in using your email address and password.
- A pop-up requesting for your previous OEC number will appear. Enter your OEC number and press ‘Submit’.
- If you didn’t have an OEC number, press ‘CLICK HERE’ under the green ‘Submit’ button, you will be redirected to a new page displaying a blank information sheet. You need fill in the information required. Upload your ‘Profile Picture’. Then, you have 3 forms in the page to fill up. First is your ‘Personal Details’. After you have filled in your details, click ‘ Save Changes’. Next is the ‘Contract Particulars’. Fill in the information needed and again click ‘Save Changes’. Last is the ‘Legal Beneficiaries/ Qualified Dependents’. Again, fill in the information needed and click ‘Save Changes’.
- Once you have completed filling up the information on the page, a green button with label ‘Acquire OEC or Exemption’, click it. Then, a message will appear requesting you enter your expected flight schedule.Click ‘Submit’. Then, a page will appear asking you to select your location. Press ‘Select Location’ and select ‘POEA Philippines’ in the list of choices. Next, select the POEA branch near to your location. A page will appear showing you the available schedule of the branch for the month. Select your preferred time and schedule. A pop-up will appear showing you your schedule details. Click ‘Set Appointment’.
4. Have a picture of your documents or you can scan the documents required for the appointment.
5. Send your scanned documents to their email address: bmonline_evaluation@poea.gov.ph. The subject format must be the appointment date(MM/DD/YYYY), position, and country.
6. Wait for an email confirmation to know if you are ‘for compliance’ or ‘approved with payment reference number’.
7. Pay at your available payment methods.
You can pay through:
- Any authorized Bayad Centers near you.
- Online Banking
- Online/Virtual Wallet(GCash, PayPal)
8. Your payment will be confirmed within 24 hours. Log in to your account and check ‘My Transactions’.
9. Save and print your OEC.
Using the updated link/site – POEA Online Processing System for Balik-Manggagawa or POPS-BaM
To the users who have an existing BM account:
1. Go to the POEA online services website by clicking this link: http://www.poea.gov.ph/ . You can also search ‘POEA Online Services’.
Click ‘ Let’s Go!’ on the e-Registration part.
2. Enter your registered email to log in. After you enter your email, another box will appear. Input your password.
3. Click ‘My Profile’ on the left side. Update your existing information with your current details.
4. You can read and access the modules intended for the Balik-Manggagawa. You will be also redirected to a page where you can apply for an exit clearance.
To the users who don’t have a BM account:
1. Go to the POEA online services website by clicking this link: https://onlineservices.dmw.gov.ph/OnlineServices/POEAOnline.aspx. You can also search ‘POEA Online Services’. Click ‘ Let’s Go!’ on the e-Registration part.
2 Click ‘Register’ to create an account.
3. Click the ‘Accept the Terms of Service’ on the blue button.
4. Enter the necessary details on the blank fields.
- Use the information on your passport to fill in your details. Then, click ‘Register’. Review your details and make sure you have entered the correct details. Click ‘Yes’ to proceed. An email will be sent containing your temporary password. Copy it and use it to log in.
- Click ‘Home’ to go back to the website.
5. Press ‘ Let’s Go!’ to log in.
- Enter your email and your temporary password to log in.
6. Create a new password for security purposes.
- Create a password consisting one uppercase letter, numbers and special characters.
7. Click ‘ My Profile’ and edit your existing details.
8. You have to wait for one day to have your current details be automatically matched to the previous BM account. So, patience is needed.
- Go to POEA helpdesk if your information is not updated on 24 hours. Click ‘ Transfer Old BM Records’ and manually map old records to new accounts by entering your name and date of birth as shown in the old OEC.
9. Log in and access your Balik-Manggagawa modules.
- If you have completed filling up your information, you will be redirected to a page for the application of your OEC.
Getting an OEC (Overseas Emplpoyment Certificate) using the updated Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing System
Now that you have registered for a POEA Online service account, you may now secure an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) Online.
1. Log in on the POEA website.
2. Click the ‘Balik-Manggagawa’ modules under the ‘My Links’. You will see a pop-up containing the ‘Initial Assessment’. Make sure that the passport details, profile image, and Beneficiaries are updated and that all text appears green with a thumbs up before the list. Click ‘ Next’ to proceed.
3. Put the date of your departure. Then, click ‘Next’.
4. Check your details and edit if you see an error/mistake with your information. You will be asked the following questions before proceeding:
- Are you returning to this employer?
- Are you returning to this job site?
If you answered yes to these two questions, then you can go to the next step.
If you answered no to both of the questions then, enter your current contact details.
After you have completed the form, you will be redirected to the appointment page. Select a POEA branch nearest to your current location.
5. Have a hard copy of your OEC by printing it.
- You will be brought to the page where you can print your OEC if you answered ‘Yes’ to the two questions above.
- You can also review your information before printing.
Video: Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing System
Here is the detailed step-by-step guide on how to sign up on the Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing System. Using the old link:
Updated Balik-Manggagawa Processing System
Here is the detailed step-by-step guide on how to sign up on the updated Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing System.
Both of the YouTube videos includes:
- Steps on how to register
- Reminders before, during and after registration
- How to fill up the forms required by the system
Frequently Asked Questions
Please check out these common questions for Balik Manggagawa online processing of OEC:
1. How much is the fee for Balik-Manggagawa OEC processing?
The processing costs 100 pesos and an additional 19.50 pesos for the charge. You will pay a total of 119.50 pesos.
2. How do I know if I’m exempted from getting an OEC?
The system would determine if the worker is exempted from getting OEC so you must log in and check your BM account.
3. What should I do if I have forgotten my email address and password used for registration?
Contact these telephone lines: 02-7219496 / 02-7277778 / 02-7210785 / 09173257397. You can also email them at gvpictpoea@gmail.com or bm_oec@yahoo.com.
4. Can I change my email address used for logging in?
No. The email you used in the registration serves as your permanent account.
5. Can I use online payment( GCash, online banking) to pay for the processing of BM online?
Yes, you can. You will be provided a payment reference number which you will be using to pay.
6. Do I need to process BM online every time I return to the Philippines?
Yes.
7. Do I need to go to the POEA branch if I have already printed my OEC?
No, but you can go to any POEA branch if you wanted to double-check.
8. Do I need to verify my contract before getting an OEC?
Yes, the verified contract is needed.
9. What should I do if I have mistakenly entered my details on the required fields?
Go to the POEA helpdesk online. But you need to go to the nearest POEA office. So, set an appointment.
10. Do I need to print my BM exemption number?
No, but you can print it to have a copy.
Summary
Technology makes our lives easy and comfortable like the Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing System which is created for the returning OFWs.
The information given above can be your guide for the easy processing of your OEC(exit clearance). The website created by the POEA for the Balik-Manggagawa is for the convenience of the returning OFWs abroad. It is at the tip of our hands. Getting an OEC now is easy as 1-2-3