How to Apply OEC Certificate in Seoul, South Korea

As per the guidelines provided on the website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are on leave or vacation and plan to return to their job site must obtain an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) and fulfill the following requirements to apply for the OEC at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Korea:

1. POPS-BaM Appointment form
2. BM Information Sheet
3. Valid Passport with a minimum validity of 6 months (copy of the photo page)
4. Valid Visa or Work Permit
5. Valid Alien Registration card (photocopy of the front and back pages)
6. Employment Contract verified by POLO Korea
7. Proof of existing employment, such as a Certificate of Employment, the latest payslip, or a valid Business Identification card

It is important for OFWs who have existing records with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and are vacationing for the first time to return to the same employer and job site to fulfill or extend their employment contract. By fulfilling these requirements and obtaining the OEC, OFWs can ensure compliance with the necessary procedures before returning to work.

For workers with existing POEA records returning to the same employer but in a different job site

here’s the information you provided translated into English:

“POPS-BaM Appointment Form BM Information Sheet Valid Passport with at least 6-month validity (copy of the photo page) Valid Visa or Work Permit Employment Contract verified by POLO Korea Proof of existing employment such as Certificate of Employment, the latest payslip, or a valid Business Identification card Letter from the employer confirming the worker’s transfer of job site”

Is there anything else I can help you with?

For workers without existing POEA records and those who have changed employers on-site

• POPS-BaM Appointment form
• POPS-BaM Appointment form
• BM Information Sheet
• Valid Passport with at least 6-month validity (copy of photo page)
• Valid Visa or Work Permit
• Employment Contract verified by POLO Korea
• Proof of existing employment such as Certificate of Employment, latest payslip, or valid Business Identification card
• Sworn Statement explaining how the worker obtained employment

Additional Documents

“Furthermore, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are advised to maintain an ongoing membership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to be eligible for an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) and fulfill other required contribution payments. However, individuals who do not possess an Employment Contract authenticated by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Korea and those who are not registered with the Electronic Filing and Payment System (EFPS) must follow the procedure of requesting Contract Verification. They should also ensure they have both the original and photocopy of the following documents.”

• Employment Contract
• Valid Visa or Work Permit
• Employer Business Registration (Apostilled) and Profile

Processing Fees

Pay the following fees to get OEC at POLO Korea:

• OEC processing fee of P100.00 converted to Korean WON

OWWA membership fee of US25.00 converted to Korean WON”If you are requesting Contract Verification, please note that processing and authentication fees are also applicable. Therefore, it is advisable to inquire with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) regarding the associated payments for OEC issuance.”

Qualifications

The Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) serves multiple purposes for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). It not only certifies the legality of their employment abroad but also grants them access to various forms of protection, assistance, and benefits provided by the government. These benefits include exemptions from terminal fees and travel tax, as well as reduced travel tax rates when traveling with their spouse and dependents. As a result, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) will only issue OECs to eligible workers, which includes the following categories:

1. OFWs who have secured employment directly from an overseas employer or sponsor.
2. OFWs who have been hired through a licensed recruitment agency.
3. OFWs who have been hired through the Government Placement Branch (GBP) of the POEA.
4. OFWs with existing records in the POEA database who are returning to the same job site after a vacation, provided they have an employment contract or working visa.
5. OFWs with existing records in the POEA database who are returning to the same employer but at a different job site.
6. OFWs without records in the POEA database or those who change employers while already abroad.

These qualifications ensure that OFWs receive the necessary documentation and benefits while working overseas.

How to Book an OEC Appointment in POLO Korea

According to a Facebook post by POLO Korea, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who have changed employers, job sites, or visas are required to book an OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate) appointment through POPS-BaM (Philippine Overseas Labor Office – Labor Assistance Management Portal) in order to update their employment records. Therefore, these workers should schedule an appointment prior to visiting the POLO Korea office to obtain their OEC.

Additionally, all OFWs are required to create an e-Registration account on POPS-BaM. This account is necessary to obtain an OEC exemption or to book an appointment. The following steps can be followed to create the e-Registration account:

How to Register on POPS-BaM (For New Users)