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19 August 2022

Your helpful guide to The Philippines Overseas Employment Certificate

The Overseas Employment Certificate allows Filipinos to leave the Philippines to work in countries around the world.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

PLEASE NOTE: some of the below information may be incorrect as of April 2025 due to changes to the process which are still ongoing, such as the introduction of the Overseas Filipino Workers Pass as an alternative to the Philippines Overseas Employment Certificate. We have covered this in a paragraph below.

Philippine passport holders require permission to leave the country if they plan on living abroad. This is known as exit clearance, and there are a few different ways to get it.

One of the main routes Filipinos use to go and live and work abroad is the Philippines Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).

If a Filipino wishes to work overseas, such as in the UK, they will need to get this certificate.

What is the Philippines Overseas Employment Certificate?

The Overseas Employment Certificate is required by any Filipino national who is moving overseas with a work visa. They are issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and must be applied for before you leave the Philippines.

The OEC lasts for 60 days after it is issued. It is only valid for one exit out of the Philippines. If you return to the Philippines within the 60 days, you will need to get a new certificate if you want to leave again.

The requirements for the OEC depend on what type of job you have. There are two options when applying for the visa: as a direct hire, or through an agency.

OFW Pass as an alternative to the OEC

As of July 2023, the OEC has slowly been replaced by the Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Pass.

The OFW Pass is used as digital ID for workers, which they can show as they leave to Filipino’s as proof that they have got a job in another country. It acts almost identically as the OEC.

The key differences between the OEC and the OFW Pass are that:

Whilst the OEC costs money to get, the OFW Pass is free and easy to renew.
There is no digital version of the OEC so you have to carry a physical document at all times, unlike the OFW Pass which is digital only
As is previously mentioned, the OEC only lasts for 60 days; however, the OFW Pass is valid for the whole length of your employment contract.

It may not be possible to get an Overseas Filipino Worker Pass for every country, so you will still need to get a Philippines Overseas Employment Certificate to work in some places.

What are the documentary requirements for the Overseas Employment Certificate Philippines?

Below are some of the documents that must be presented or submitted to the Office of the Labor Attache, Philippine Embassy, London:

Original passport with valid re-entry visa/work permit (with photo copy)
Duly accomplished Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Information Sheet; this form is available from the Philippine Embassy
Proof of valid Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) membership
Copy of employment contract/employer’s certification

What is the OWWA?

The OWWA is a body that is a part of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the Philippines. It provides training to Filipino workers who plan on working overseas, such as basic language training.

The OWWA also assists with maintaining the welfare of both their workers, and the workers’ families.

It is a body that you have to apply to become a member of. You can either apply through the POEA by processing a contract with them, or by making an appointment with the OWWA in your destination country. You can also use the regional version of the OWWA site in whichever country you are in.

In the UK, the OWWA is based in London. Membership is £23 and it can be renewed every two years.

Do you need a notary?

Yes. Many of your employment documents need to be signed in front of a notary. These documents form part of your application for an OEC and are listed below:

Certification that the employer is public/government
Service agreement between employer and Foreign Placement Agency (FPA): Call off Terms and Conditions for the International Healthcare Professionals Recruitment and Associated Services Framework
Manpower request/job order from employer to FPA
Manpower request FPA to Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA)
Master Employment Contract and Addendum to Contract of Employment
Visa guarantee for a sufficient Certificate of Sponsorship
Undertaking by employer to monitor employment of workers
Copy of employers’ passport
Copy of FPA’s representatives passport

Our services

Woodcock Notary Public provides specialist notarial services to individuals. We have offices across England, so no matter where you are, you will be able to arrange an appointment.

If you do not have the time to make it to one of our offices, you can arrange a mobile notary appointment at a time and place that suits you. This can be at home, your office, a café, or at any other suitable location.

We can attest to the truth and accuracy of translations. Each document that is notarised will bear the notary’s signature, which will confirm that the document has been certified.

Woodcock Notary Public can assist you with the consular services you require to get your visa.

READY FOR ASSISTANCE?

If you have any questions about our notary, apostille or consular services,
contact Woodcock Notary Public today.

Call us on 0800 049 2471 (free to call) or email info@woodcocknotarypublic.com.

If you have any questions about our notary, apostille or consular services, contact Woodcock Notary Public today.