What is the OEC?


Under the rules and regulations of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), all Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are required to have an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) when departing for or returning to their work overseas.


The OEC, also known as exit clearance/pass, is a document certifying the regularity of recruitment and documentation of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) and a proof of his/her registration with the POEA.


The OEC is presented to the immigration officer at the airport of exit in the Philippines. A worker exiting from the Philippines without OEC may be prevented by the immigration officer from leaving the country.


An OFW who holds an OEC enjoys the following privileges:

(a) travel tax exemption;

(b) airport terminal fee exemption; and

(c) reduced travel tax for spouse or dependents.


Who is required to get the OEC?


POEA Memorandum Circular No. 2, Series of 2019 provides the guidelines on the registration of, and issuance of OEC to returning workers. 


The guidelines covers the following:

  1. Returning documented overseas Filipino Workers- workers with existing record with POEA who are vacationing for the first time in the Philippines and returning to the same employer;
  2. Workers not previously registered with POEA- workers with no record of deployment with the POEA or the POLO; and 
  3. Workers who changed employment on site- workers with existing record with POEA who transferred or entered into a new employment contract from one employer to another


This covers all Filipino nationals holding a temporary work visa/permit or Permesso di Soggiorno Lavoro Subordinato (in Italy). 


Who are not covered?

  1. Tourists
  2. Permanent Residents (Carta di Soggiorno)
  3. Dependents (Carico)
  4. Dual Citizens
  5. Holders of student visa
  6. Holders of religious reasons permit
  7. Self-employed (Permesso di Soggiorno Lavoro Autonomo)
  8. Other permits/visa not for work or employment