How to Apply OEC Certificate in Cyprus

Requirements

“For overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Cyprus who are vacationing in the Philippines and planning to return to work abroad, the following requirements must be fulfilled, as stated by the Department of Manpower and Welfare (DMW):

For workers with existing DMW records vacationing for the first time and returning to the same employer and job site to fulfill or extend their employment contract

• Fill out the POPS-BaM Appointment form.
• Provide three copies of the BM Information Sheet.
• Present a valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months (photocopy of the photo page).
• Submit a copy of the previous Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) or work visa.
• Provide a valid work visa, work permit, or any equivalent document.
• Ensure that the employment contract has been verified by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).

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

• Fill out the POPS-BaM Appointment form.
• Provide three copies of the BM Information Sheet.
• Present a valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months (photocopy of the photo page).
• Submit a copy of the previous OEC or work visa.
• Provide a valid work visa, work permit, or any equivalent document.
• Ensure that the employment contract has been verified by POLO.
• Submit a photocopy of the confirmed round-trip airline ticket and other documents related to flight details.
• Obtain a letter from the employer confirming the worker’s transfer to a different job site.

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

  Fill out the POPS-BaM Appointment form.

• Provide three copies of the BM Information Sheet.
• Present a valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months (photocopy of the photo page).
• Submit a copy of the previous OEC or work visa.
• Provide a valid work visa, work permit, or any equivalent document.
• Ensure that the employment contract has been verified by POLO.
• Submit a photocopy of the confirmed round-trip airline ticket and other documents related to flight details.
• Prepare a sworn statement explaining how the worker obtained employment.

It is important to note that OFWs without a verified employment contract by POLO Cyprus should request contract verification before obtaining the OEC. They should contact the POLO office for further instructions since detailed information may not be available online due to the absence of a Facebook page and website for POLO Cyprus.

Processing Fees

If you need to obtain your OEC in Cyprus, the following fees are applicable and should be paid in Euro based on the prevailing foreign exchange rate:

• OEC processing fee: P100
• OWWA membership fee: US$25

Qualifications

The Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) serves several purposes, including verifying the legality of overseas Filipino workers’ (OFWs) employment and ensuring their coverage with the government’s protection, assistance, and benefits. These benefits may include exemptions from travel tax and terminal fees. Additionally, OFWs with valid OECs traveling with their spouses and dependents can enjoy reduced travel tax. However, these privileges are only accessible to certain qualified workers who are eligible to obtain an OEC.

The following categories of OFWs are qualified to obtain an OEC:

1. OFWs who acquired work from an overseas employer or sponsor through direct hiring.
2. OFWs who acquired employment through a recruitment agency.
3. OFWs hired through the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Government Placement Branch (GBP).
4. OFWs with existing records in the DOLE’s database who are returning to the same job site after vacationing, provided they have an employment contract or working visa.
5. OFWs with existing records in the DOLE’s database who are returning to the same employer but in a different job site.
6. OFWs without records in the DOLE’s database or those who change employers on-site.

On the other hand, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Filipinos with the following statuses do not need to obtain an OEC:

1. Immigrants.
2. Permanent residents.
3. Dependents/spouses of foreign nationals.
4. Intra-company transferees.
5. Vacationing OFWs who are visiting countries other than their job site.
6. Trainees.
7. US J1 visa holders or participants in cultural exchange programs.
8. Other non-OFW statuses as evaluated by the DOLE.

It’s important for OFWs to check the latest guidelines and requirements from the DOLE or Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to ensure compliance with the current regulations regarding OEC issuance and exemption.

How to Book an OEC Appointment in POLO Cyprus

To create a POPS-BaM (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Online Processing System – Balik-Manggagawa) account, follow the steps outlined below:

1. Visit the official website of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) or the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Cyprus.
2. Look for the registration or sign-up option on the website. It may be labeled as “Create an Account” or something similar.
3. Click on the registration or sign-up option to begin the account creation process.
4. Fill in the required information accurately. This may include personal details such as your full name, date of birth, address, contact number, email address, and other relevant information.
5. Create a username and password for your POPS-BaM account. Make sure to choose a strong password that includes a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters to enhance security.
6. After providing all the necessary details, review the information you entered to ensure its accuracy.
7. Submit your registration form. You may receive a confirmation email or notification stating that your account has been successfully created.
8. Once you have created your POPS-BaM account, you can proceed to book an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) appointment through the online system.
9. Follow the instructions provided on the website to schedule your appointment. Make sure to have all the required documents and information ready before the appointment date.
10. Attend the scheduled appointment at the designated POLO or DMW office in Cyprus on the specified date and time. This appointment is necessary to secure your OEC, which is an important document for Filipino overseas workers.

Remember, it’s always advisable to check the official websites or contact the relevant authorities for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the process of creating a POPS-BaM account and booking an OEC appointment in Cyprus.

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

It appears that you have provided a set of instructions for visiting the DMW Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website and registering an account. Here is a breakdown of the steps you mentioned:

1. Visit the DMW Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website: Open your web browser and navigate to the website. The specific URL should be provided to you or can be found through an online search.
2. On the e-Registration section, click “Let’s Go and Register”: Look for the e-Registration section on the website and click on the “Let’s Go and Register” button.
3. Check the “I Accept the Terms of Use”: Read through the terms of use and, if you agree, check the box or click the button indicating that you accept the terms.
4. Fill out the required fields and click “Register”: Provide the necessary information in the registration form, such as your name, email address, contact details, etc. Once you have filled out all the required fields, click the “Register” button to proceed.
5. Check your registered email on POPS-BaM and copy the provided Temporary Password: Open your email account associated with the registration and locate the email from POPS-BaM. Copy the temporary password provided in the email.
6. Input the Temporary Password and change it to your chosen password: Return to the registration page on the DMW Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website. Enter the temporary password you copied from the email and follow the instructions to change it to a password of your choice. This will be your permanent password for logging into your account.
7. Once you’ve logged in, click “My Profile” on the right of the dashboard: After successfully logging in, locate the “My Profile” option, which is typically found on the right side of the dashboard or navigation menu.
8. Fill out the required details: Access your profile and provide the necessary information, such as your personal details, contact information, and any other required fields.
9. Double-check your account details and click “Update Profile”: Review the information you have entered, ensuring its accuracy and completeness. If everything is correct, click the “Update Profile” button to save your changes.
10. Fill out the Identification Details: Navigate to the section where you can provide your identification details, such as your passport or other identification documents. Follow the instructions and enter the required information.
11. Input your Beneficiary details: Locate the section where you can input your beneficiary details, which may include information about your dependents or designated recipients. Fill in the necessary fields as per the instructions provided.
12. Upload a Profile Picture and a copy of your Passport to finish the account setup: Look for the options to upload a profile picture and a copy of your passport or any other required documents. Follow the instructions to upload the respective files.

Once you have completed all these steps, your account setup on the DMW Online Services Portal/POPS-BaM website should be finished.

How to book an OEC Appointment in POPS-BaM