How to Apply for OEC Certificate in Bahrain

Are you planning to go on vacation in the Philippines soon? If so, don’t forget that you need to present an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) before returning to your job here in Bahrain. This is an important document that proves the legality of your employment status as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW).

In this article, we will discuss how you can get an OEC from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Bahrain. Specifically, we will tackle the requirements, fees, procedures, and other details. Depending on your employment situation, you may qualify for an OEC exemption, so we will be talking about this scenario as well.

What is OEC?

The Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is a document issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to legit and documented OFWs. For those who are based abroad, the certificate may be obtained through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in that particular country.

According to the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 (Republic Act 8042), Section 35, the OEC serves a very important purpose. Notably, the OEC is:

• A travel “clearance” or “exit pass” for OFWs at airports;
• A certificate exempting OFWs from paying travel tax and airport terminal fees; and
• A certificate proving that an OFW is documented, thus guaranteeing him/her protection and benefits from the Philippine government.

An OEC is valid for 60 days from the date of issue, which means that an OFW’s date of departure from the Philippines should fall within this period.

What is Balik Manggagawa?

Sometimes, the OEC is referred to as a “Balik Manggagawa” certificate. “Balik Manggagawa” literally means “returning worker” — a term for OFWs who are going back to work overseas. If the person is on official leave from his/her job abroad, he/she may also be called as a “Worker on Leave” (WOL).

Qualifications

Who are qualified to get an OEC? The POEA and POLO offices issue OECs to the following persons only:

• An OFW who acquired work through direct hiring;
• An OFW who was hired through a recruitment agency;
• An OFW who was hired through POEA’s Government Placement Branch (GBP);
• An OFW who is returning to the same employer and job site in Bahrain;
• An OFW who is returning to the same employer but a different job site; and
• Filipinos who came to Bahrain on a visit visa or tourist visa, and eventually obtained employment and work visas.

Requirements

Before applying for an OEC, be sure to prepare the following documents first. Also, please note that there are additional requirements for OFWs who changed jobs or are returning to a different employer.

For OFWs Returning to Same Employer:

• Photocopy of most recent OEC (previously issued);
• Employment Contract verified by POLO;
• Certificate of Employment, Company ID, latest pay slip, or other documents as proof of employment; and
• Photocopy of confirmed, round-trip flight tickets.

For OFWs with Change of Employer:

• Employment Contract with company logo stamp and sponsor’s signature on each page (two original copies);
• Contingency Plan with company letterhead, company stamp, and employer’s signature;
• Certificate of Employment with company letterhead, company stamp, and employer’s signature;
• Photocopy of employer’s Commercial Registration;
• Photocopy of employer’s CPR;
• Photocopy of employee’s CPR;
• Photocopy of Residence Permit or Valid Visa;
• Valid Passport (original and two photocopies);
• Photocopy of confirmed, round-trip flight tickets;
• Sworn Statement describing the employment process;
• Letter from employer confirming employee’s change of job site (for those returning to same employer but different job site); and
• Affidavit of Undertaking (for drivers).

Fees

Aside from the above documents, you need to prepare the following amounts as processing fees:

• BHD 1 – OEC Fee
• BHD 4 – Contract Verification Fee
• BHD 9.5 – OWWA Membership Fee

As you can see, being an active member of OWWA is a must when applying for an OEC. Your employment contract must also be verified by POLO.

How to Get an OEC in Bahrain Online

Recently, the POEA introduced an online processing system where OFWs can apply for an OEC online. It involves registering and creating an account, applying to get an OEC exemption (if applicable), and setting an appointment with a POEA or POLO office (if needed).

To start using the new system, simply follow these steps:

1. Go to the official website of the POEA Online Processing System for Balik Manggagawa (POPS-BaM) through this link.
2. To begin creating an account, click “Let’s Go!” on the e-Registration tab. Enter the necessary information, such as an email address and proposed password. Check your email and click the verification link. Don’t forget to jot down the email address and password that you used to create your account.
3. Log into your account and enter or update your information, including passport, visa, employment details, and so on.
4. Next, it’s time to apply for an OEC. On the left tab, go to “My Links,” then select “Balik Manggagawa.”
5. See to it that the initial assessment is colored green, then click “Next.”
6. Enter the date of your departure from the Philippines.
7. Confirm your employment data. The screen will display your latest employment information that is registered with the POEA. See to it that everything is marked “Clear.”
8. The system will ask, “Are you returning to this job site?” (i.e. the same employer shown onscreen). If your answer is YES, proceed to OEC Exemption (see below). If your answer is NO, proceed to step no. 9.
9. Enter your latest employment details, including the name of your employer, business permit, employer’s valid ID, employer’s address, and so on.
10. Choose the nearest POEA or POLO office, and set the date and time of your appointment.
11. Print your Balik Manggagawa Information Sheet. You can also take a screenshot of your confirmed appointment.
12. On the date of your appointment, bring your Balik Manggagawa Information Sheet and other documents to the POEA or POLO office to get your OEC.

OEC Exemption

If you are returning to the same employer in Bahrain as part of the continuation or extension of your job contract, then you can avail of an OEC exemption. This means that you don’t have to go to a POEA or POLO office to get an OEC exemption.

Nonetheless, you still need to register with the new online processing system and obtain a Balik Manggagawa exemption. Please be guided by the following steps:

1. Follow steps 1 to 8 from above (How to Get an OEC in Bahrain Online). You will be asked, “Are you returning to this job site?” (i.e. the same employer shown onscreen). Click “Yes.”
2. Check the data onscreen and make sure that all your employment details are correct. Don’t forget to enter your contract start date and duration.
3. After entering all the necessary information, the system will generate your OEC or Balik Manggagawa exemption. Print this document as proof that you are exempted.

Before leaving the Philippines, present your OEC or Balik Manggagawa exemption to immigration officials at the airport. To avoid any problems, it’s best to print a copy of this document and bring it on the date of your flight.

How to Get an OEC at POLO Office in Bahrain

If you are returning to a different employer or to a different job site, then you need to apply for an OEC at the POLO office in Bahrain. This involves booking an appointment before getting your OEC, as stated below:

Part 1: Booking a “Balik Manggagawa” (BM) Appoinment

1. Enter your latest employment details on the POEA online processing system. This applies to those who have a change of employer and/or jobsite, as well as those who have an existing record with POEA but have not yet registered with the new system.
2. After entering your employment details, click “Submit.”
3. Set a “Balik Manggagawa” (BM) Appointment by choosing your preferred processing location (e.g. nearest POLO or POEA office).
4. Choose your preferred appointment date.
5. That’s it! You have just made a BM Appointment.

Part 2: Getting an OEC at POLO Bahrain

1. On the date of your appointment, go to the POLO office in Bahrain.
2. Submit your documents to the receptionist.
3. Fill up the forms that will be given by the reception officer.
4. Wait for the Labor Attache to check and verify your documents.
5. Pay the necessary fees at the cashier.
6. Wait for your OEC to be issued. That’s it!

Once again, on the date of your flight from the Philippines, present your OEC to immigration officials at the airport. To avoid any problems, see to it that your OEC is valid on the date of your flight.

NOTE: Filipinos who originally came to Bahrain with a visit visa or tourist visa — and eventually obtained employment and work visas — can apply for an OEC through a POEA office in the Philippines only.

Video: How to Get an OEC in Bahrain

To have a better idea on how to apply for an OEC in Bahrain, check out this informative video shared by the “OFW SA BAHRAIN VLOG” channel on YouTube:

Frequently Asked Questions

Meanwhile, here are some commonly asked questions — and answers — about the OEC, OEC exemption, and the POEA online processing system:

1. How long is the validity of an OEC?

An OEC has a validity period of 60 days. It must be valid on the date of your departure from the Philippines.

2. How much is the OEC fee in Bahrain?

The OEC fee in Bahrain is BHD 1.

3. Can I get an OEC without being a member of OWWA?

No. Being an active member of OWWA is required to get an OEC. So you may need to pay the OWWA membership fee of BHD 9.5 during your application.

4. I am returning to the same employer in Bahrain. How can I get an OEC exemption?

If you are going back to the same employer in Bahrain, register through the POEA online processing system. Make sure that all your data is correct, and follow the instructions to get an OEC exemption.

5. The POEA online processing system has confirmed that I am exempted from OEC. Do I still need to go to a POEA or POLO office?

No, you don’t need to go to a POEA or POLO office if you are exempted. Just print your OEC exemption and show it to immigration officials at the airport upon your departure from the Philippines.

6. Can I change the email address that I used when I registered on the POEA online processing system?

No. You cannot change your email address; it will serve as your permanent log-in account on the POEA online processing system. However, you can change your account password from time to time.

7. I forgot the email address and password that I used to create my account on the POEA online processing system. What should I do?

Visit the POEA Help Desk through this link. Click “Create a Ticket” and explain your situation. To follow up your ticket, just click “Inquire Ticket.”

8. During my last vacation, I was able to get an OEC, but I haven’t registered with the new POEA online processing system yet. Can I get an OEC exemption?

No. Even if you were able to get an OEC before, you still need to register and create an account with the new POEA online processing system, so that you can acquire an OEC or OEC exemption from now on.

9. I am going back to the same employer and I was able to get an OEC before. But now, the POEA online processing system is re-directing me to the appointment page. Why?

The POEA online processing system will re-direct you to the appointment page if you are:

• An OFW who is on a watchlist, or your employer is on a watchlist;
• An OFW who is going back to a restricted or non-compliant country;
• An OFW who does not have a record on the POEA database, or there are discrepancies between the data that you entered and the information in the system;
• An undocumented worker (e.g. tourist, student, dependent) who became an OFW; and
• A sea-based OFW who became a land-based OFW.

10. Do I need to log into the POEA online processing system each time I go on vacation or on leave?

Yes. Each time that you go on vacation or on leave, you need to log into the POEA online processing system and get an OEC or OEC exemption before going back abroad.

Summary

As long as you have all the necessary requirements, you should be able to apply for an OEC or OEC exemption easily. The great thing about being exempted is that you do not have to go personally to a POEA or POLO office. On the other hand, if you need to make a personal appearance, then setting an appointment is also possible through the new POEA online processing system.

Contact Information: POLO Bahrain

If you have any questions or concerns, you can get in touch with the POLO office in Bahrain through the contact details below.

Address: Villa No. 939, Road 3220, Block 332, Mahooz, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain (Philippine Embassy in Manama)
Telephone: +973 1774 0951 / 3807 2476 (Hotline 24/7)
Email: polobahrain@yahoo.com
Website: https://manamape.dfa.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PHLinBahrain/

Google Map Location

The POLO Bahrain office is situated at the Philippine Embassy in Manama. Here is the office’s location on Google Maps, for your reference:

 

DISCLAIMER: We hope that the above guide has been helpful, especially for those who are going on vacation or on leave soon. Please note that the above guide is presented for general, information-sharing purposes only. To learn more about the latest requirements, fees, and procedures on getting an OEC — as well as other important announcements — please visit the official website of the Philippine Embassy in Manama.

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