How to apply for OEC in Dubai?
As a Filipino expat in Dubai, you may know that having an Overseas Employment Certificate aka OEC is important. Today, MyBayut walks you through the steps to apply for OEC in Dubai for Filipino expats in the emirate.
What is an OEC and why do Filipino expats in Dubai need it?
The Overseas Employment Certificate Dubai is a document issued to all Filipinos working overseas as an exit clearance/pass to travel out of the Philippines. It is issued as per the regulations set by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to ensure Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW)/Balik Manggagawa (BM) Workers are correctly documented and protected. It also offers OFWs privileges like travel tax exemption, airport terminal fee exemption and reduced travel tax for your spouse or dependents.
Registering with the POEA and obtaining for an OEC is mandatory for all Filipinos looking to work overseas. This is also applicable for Filipino expats who are travelling to the Philippines for short visit or vacation and plan on returning to their employment after. Those who do not have an OEC may be stopped from leaving the Philippines.
Now that we know about what an OEC is, let’s take a look at the steps on how to get an OEC in Dubai.
How to apply for Philippine OEC in Dubai?
Having a valid OEC is important for all Filipino expats in Dubai and must be issued before travelling as it is valid for a maximum of 60 days.
OEC requirements in Dubai
To apply for an OEC in Dubai, first, you will need to schedule an appointment to visit the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Dubai (POLO). To schedule the appointment visit the BM Online processing system. For this step, you will need to have your round-trip flight tickets already booked.
If you already have a previously issued OEC you can choose the OEC Exemption options. With this, you do not need to visit POLO and can directly head to the airport. But this is only possible if you are returning back to the UAE to the same employer and are already registered with the BM Online processing system.
To issue a new OEC you can choose ‘Aquire OEC’ and schedule a BM appointment. Once you have the BM online appointment confirmation, take all the documents and head to POLO which is located in Al Qusais 3 near the Al Qusais Police Station. Here you can submit all the required documents, pay the fee of AED 10 and get your valid OEC.
Note: POLO Dubai will not issue an OEC to workers who have entered UAE on a visit/tourist visa and then converted to an employment visa. In this case, you will need to apply for the OEC in the Philippines (POEA).
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ISSUING OEC IN DUBAI
Upon receiving the BM online appointment confirmation, you should make sure to have the complete list of required documents before visiting POLO.
First, you need to ensure that your membership status with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is active. If it isn’t expired or you’re a first-time applicant, you will need to acquire it by filling out the OWWA membership form at the POLO in Dubai. The OWWA will cost you AED 92.
Other forms you will need to fill to get your OEC in Dubai, include the OEC Balik Manggagawa form and Pag-ibig form which can be obtained at POLO or downloaded online from their website. In addition to the above-mentioned forms, you will need to carry other supporting documents along with you to the consulate which include:
- Original Passport
- Three printed copies of BM Online Appointment / Information Sheet
- Flight details such as airline ticket
- POLO Verified Contract (If you are not registered with the POEA or changing employers within the UAE. )
- Copy of old OEC or old and new visa (If you are returning to the same employer and didn’t acquire OEC exemption)
It’s important to note that the required documents for getting an OEC in Dubai for Balik Manggagawa (BM) Workers aka household service workers such as a nanny or housemaid, differs from other OFWs. Filipino BM Workers in Dubai will need to carry the following documents.
Documents required for Balik Manggagawa Workers
Make sure to always carry a minimum of two copies of the following OEC required documents.
- Employment/Labour Contract for Domestic Workers
- Employers’/Sponsors’ passport and visa copy (for non- Emiratis)
- Original and copies of the workers’ valid passport and visa
- Affidavit of Undertaking by the employer/sponsors
- Employers’/Sponsors’ Information Sheet (2 copies)
- Any proof of current employment such as a recent payslip or current certificate of employment
- Letter from the employer attesting to the transfer of Jobsite of the worker if returning to the same employer but to a different country
- A sworn document providing an explanation on how they were hired by the current employer if the worker was not registered with the POEA previously
Documents required for skilled OFWs
If you belong to the category of Overseas Performing Artists (OPAs), Masseurs/Masseuses, Cleaners, Construction Workers etc, here are the documents you need to submit to get your Filipino OEC. Again make sure to carry a minimum of two copies of the following.
- Valid employment/labour contract from the employer
- Passport and Visa copy of the worker
- Valid Emirates ID
- Proof of current employment such as a current certificate of employment, valid company ID, recent payslip or UAE Labor Card
- A sworn document providing an explanation on how they were hired by the current employer if the worker was not registered with the POEA previously.
Filipinos in Dubai who have an existing POA and are returning to the same employer but to a different country will need to provide a letter from the employer attesting to the transfer of the worker to the new job location in addition to the others mentioned above.
CONTRACT VERIFICATION IN DUBAI FOR FILIPINO EXPATS
Filipino expats who are not previously registered with the POEA, which includes cases of transferring a visit/tourist visa to employment, or changing employers within the UAE, will need to get their employment contract stamped and verified at POLO Dubai. Additionally, they will also need to submit a sworn Statement to Philippine POLO Dubai office explaining how they were hired by the current employer.
To obtain a POLO Verified Contract you need to visit the Philippines Overseas Office in Dubai with the above-mentioned documents. The Processing Fee for a POLO Verified Contract is AED 40. The process of the POLO Verified Contract doesn’t require an appointment. You can visit the POLO in Dubai and submit the documents anytime between 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Sun-Thu).
FAQs on OEC requirements in Dubai
How to make appointment for OEC in Dubai?
To make an appointment for OEC in Dubai visit the BM Online processing system and register there. You will need to have your flight ticket details for this.
Where to get oec in Dubai?
OEC can be obtained from the Philipino Overseas Labour Office in Dubai. It is is located in Al Qusais 3 near the Al Qusais Police Station.
That concludes this guide on getting and OEC in Dubai. If you need any other clarification regarding the information mentioned here, you can contact the Philippine POLO in Dubai on +971-4-220-7011. Their office hours are Sunday – Thursday 08:00 am – 05:00 pm.
We’ve got many more helpful articles on Pinoy life in Dubai which include this article on the steps to renewing your Philippine passport. We’ve also listed down the best Filipino restaurants and best supermarkets for Filipino expats in Dubai.
Planning to get married in the UAE? Learn how to get CENOMAR online to fulfil the legal prerequisites for Filipino expats. Our comprehensive guide explains each step for acquiring your CENOMAR in Dubai and other Emirates.
And if you are new in Dubai, check out the top Dubai neighbourhoods for Filipino expats.
