At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has clarified that the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) requirement for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) is a policy of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), designed to safeguard Filipino workers abroad. The clarification followed a viral video showing a woman at the airport unable to board her flight for failing to present an OEC and a valid work visa. “Filipinos traveling abroad on employment visas are required to present a valid OEC, while those on dependent visas are not required to secure the said document,” BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado explained. “The OEC is an important requirement of the DMW to ensure the protection and welfare of our OFWs, and it is a standard process that applies to all departing for overseas employment,” he added. The OEC serves as proof that an OFW has been properly documented and is leaving the country through legal and secure channels. It also grants exemptions from travel tax and terminal fees. Republic Act 11641, or the Department of Migrant Workers Act, mandates the issuance of exit clearance for OFWs to ensure legal documentation and protection. The BI urged departing OFWs to secure their OECs ahead of time through official channels for smooth processing at the airport. A dedicated OFW wing at NAIA Terminal 3 is also available to assist workers with departure procedures. ICA/Expat Media
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