OFW Guide - Answers

According to the POEA guidelines, the following defines a Balik-Manggagawa?

Worker-on-Leave - a worker who is on vacation or on leave from employment under a valid and existing employment contract and who is returning to the same employer, regardless of any change in jobsite, to finish the remaining unexpired portion of the contract

Rehire - a worker who was rehired by the same employer after finishing his/her contract and who is returning to the same employer, regardless of a change in jobsite.

POLO registered worker - a returning worker whose employment contract was not processed with the POEA but was subsequently verified and registered with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in the jobsite and who is returning to the same employer either as a worker-on-leave or rehire, regardless of any change in jobsite. Same employer / principal refers to the employer named in the employment contract previously processed with the POEA, or registered with the POLO at the jobsite.

How much does one need to pay for the processing of Balik-Manggagawa?

POEA processing fee - PHp 100.00

OWWA membership fee - US$25 or its peso equivalent (per contract basis)

PhilHealth - PHp 900.00 (good for 1 year coverage)

Pag-Ibig membership - PHp 100 (minimum)

What are the requirements for balik manggagawa?

Passport valid for at least 6 months from the time of departure
Proof of existing employment (such as valid employment contract, employment certificate, valid company ID, pay slips)
Valid visa / re-entry permit / work permit or equivalent document

Can I Apply for a Multiple Travel Exit Clearance?

MTEC is a single issuance of travel exit clearance good for at least 3 exits within the validity period of the existing contract of the worker whose contract with the same employer has a duration of not less than twelve (12) months from the date of application for travel exit clearance. MTEC shall strictly be used for travel to the worker’s jobsite.

Who Can Apply For MTEC?

a) Workers whose nature of work and employment contract allow the worker multiple exit from the jobsite and re-entry to the Philippines for at least three (3) times within a period of one (1) year during the duration of his/her employment contract;

b) Filipino cabin crew and flight attendants of commercial aircrafts who are joining their operational flights outside of the country, and who are not in possession of permanent resident visa issued by their foreign host countries; and

c) Other categories of returning workers whose contract of employment provides frequent scheduled vacations or rotational leave

Where can I apply for BM Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)?

Balik-Manggagawa Processing Division (BMPD) – POEA main office

POEA Regional Centers – Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao

POEA Regional Extension Units / Satellite Offices

Labor Assistance Centers (LAC) – at international airports in Manila, Cebu and Mindanao. (OEC issuance at LACs is limited to those classified as regular balikmanggagawa, vacationing workers, rehires, POLO-registered workers - with confirmed airline bookings on the date of request of BM OEC issuance, and whose home leave does not exceed FIVE (5) days. (BM) Name Hires cannot be issued BM OEC at the LACs.)

Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO)

Where can I set an online appointment for the BM OEC?

One can set an appointment online for the OEC application here:

http://bmappointment.poea.gov.ph/#