POEA MEMORANDUM EFFECTIVE 1ST APR2015 - ISSUANCE OF OEC INDEPENDENTLY

Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)

The Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is a requirement under the rules and regulations of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to help ensure that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are properly documented and protected.

The OEC, sometimes also called the “exit pass,” is required to be presented to international ports of exit in the Philippines as proof that the holder is a bona fide OFW. It is thus necessary when a Household Service Worker (HSW), or any OFW, goes back to the Philippines for home leave, if he/she intends to return back to the country of employment.

OEC holders are exempted from paying the travel tax and the airport terminal fee.

Under the latest POEA Memo, effective 1^st April 2015 OEC will be issued to vacationing workers separately from PHILHEALTH and PAG-IBIG payment collections. This means that the issuance of OEC is no longer tied up with the payment of fees for PHILHEALTH and PAG-IBIG. Read more >>> POEA MEMORANDUM - ISSUANCE OF OEC INDEPENDENTLY

GUIDELINES ON DEPARTURE FORMALITIES FOR OUTGOING FILIPINOS IN THE PHILS.

SAMAHANG PINOY KAWANGGAWA (Pinoy Charity Society): DOJ/BI' Latest Memo: Departure Formalities for Tou...: GUIDELINES ON DEPARTURE FORMALITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL-BOUND PASSENGERS IN ALL AIRPORTS AND SEAPORTS IN THE COUNTRY DOJ Manila Memorandum d...

SPECIAL CASES: DOJ / BI Memo on Departure Formalities

GUIDELINES ON DEPARTURE FORMALITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL-BOUND PASSENGERS IN ALL AIRPORTS AND SEAPORTS IN THE COUNTRY

DOJ-BI Memorandum dated 03 January 2012

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9208, otherwise known as the “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003”, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, Republic Act No. 8042, otherwise known as the “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995”, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022 and other related laws, the following guidelines, providing for definite parameters in the strict enforcement of immigration departure formalities intended for the prevention of trafficking in persons, illegal recruitment, and other related offenses, are hereby promulgated for strict implementation/compliance by all concerned:

1. FOR FINAL INTERVIEW/QUALIFYING EXAM

Workers to undergo final interview/qualifying exam as required by their prospective employers shall present the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s (POEA) Special Exit Clearance. In the absence of thereof, passengers shall not be cleared for departure.

2. ON THE JOB TRAINING

Travelers intending to depart to another country for the purpose of on-the-job training shall present the following additional documents:

• i. School certification on the need for on-the-job training
• ii. Acceptance by the host company
• iii. Certificate of Overseas Training by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

3. For relatives requesting for compassionate visit

To an irregular worker abroad, a certification from Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) must be secured.

LATEST MEMO FROM DOJ/BI-MANILA: Guidelines on Departure Formalities for OFWs

GUIDELINES ON DEPARTURE FORMALITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL-BOUND PASSENGERS IN ALL AIRPORTS AND SEAPORTS IN THE COUNTRY
Latest Memorandum Dated 03 January 2012

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9208, otherwise known as the “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003”, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, Republic Act No. 8042, otherwise known as the “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995”, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022 and other related laws, the following guidelines, providing for definite parameters in the strict enforcement of immigration departure formalities intended for the prevention of trafficking in persons, illegal recruitment, and other related offenses, are hereby promulgated for strict implementation/compliance by all concerned:

OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS

• 1.First Time Overseas Filipino Workers

1.1 Travelers under this classification shall present the following documents as validated by the Labor Assistance Center (LAC):

• a) Passport
• b) Visa
• c) Airline/Sea craft Tickets
• d) Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)

1.2 Allowable Visa Usage (Based on POEA Rules and Regulations)

Should there be any discrepancy in the actual job position/job title in the visa and in the Overseas Employment Certificate, travel may nevertheless be allowed provided that the POEA through its LAC, has validated and approved the variance based on the following:

• a) The visa category is related to the workers’ position or in line with the principal’s nature of business;
• b) The recruitment agency executes an Undertaking on Visa Usage; and
• c) The worker is aware of the visa discrepancy situation and has executed a Declaration of Awareness and Consent.

1.3 Instance When Visa Usage is NOT Allowed (Based on POEA Rules and Regulaions)

The use of Visa Usage Undertaking (VUU), however, does not, and can never, apply to Household Service Workers (HSW). The visa category should be strictly for household-based positions, otherwise, a traveler will not be cleared for departure and the aforementioned documents shall be confiscated for further investigation and appropriate action.

1.4 For Acts Involving Reprocessing of Contracts and Other Documents

OFWs in possession of “reprocessed” documents shall not be cleared for departure.

Based on R.A. No. 10022, the following constitute acts of reprocessing:

• 1. The job description/position as indicated in the work visa is different from all other pertinent documents such as the Overseas Employment Certificate, the PDOS Certificate, among others;
• 2. The actual job as promised or offered is different from the actual overseas work as indicated in the pertinent papers; and
• 3. The name of the employer or hiring company as indicated in the work visa and/or OEC are not one and the same.

All documents used under the afore-mentioned provision shall be confiscated and turned over to the POEA for further investigation and appropriate action.

• 2. Balik-manggagawa/ Returning Workers

DOJ/BI' Latest Memo: Departure Formalities for Tourist Travellers

GUIDELINES ON DEPARTURE FORMALITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL-BOUND PASSENGERS IN ALL AIRPORTS AND SEAPORTS IN THE COUNTRY

DOJ Manila Memorandum dated 03 January 2012

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9208, otherwise known as the “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003”, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, Republic Act No. 8042, otherwise known as the “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995”, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022 and other related laws, the following guidelines, providing for definite parameters in the strict enforcement of immigration departure formalities intended for the prevention of trafficking in persons, illegal recruitment, and other related offenses, are hereby promulgated for strict implementation/compliance by all concerned:   

TOURIST TRAVELERS

A traveler intending to go abroad with a tourist/temporary visitor’s visa shall be subjected to:

1. Primary Inspection

During primary inspection, the following documents shall be required from a traveler:

• a) Passport
• b) Visa when required
• c) Roundtrip Ticket

2. Secondary Inspection

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY CLOSED FOR EID AL FITR 2011

UAE: Phil Embassy / Consulate - 28 August 2011 to 01 September 2011
Tel. No. +971 2 658 2889 / 02 639 0006 / 04 254 4331

KSA: Phil Embassy / Consulate - 29 August 2011 to 03 September 2011
Tel No.: +9662 669 6303 / 667 0925

OFW ADVISORIES / OEC CERTIFICATE

  

MARCH 2011 - OFW ADVISORY FROM POEA
OFW VERIFICATION
BALIK-MANGGAGAWA THROUGH POEA, PHILS.
PHIL EMBASSY / POLO ABU DHABI LOCATION MAP
OFW INFOSHEET FOR OEC APPLICATION
PAG-IBIG / HDMF MEMBERSHIP FORM

Schedule of Services

Philippine Embassy / Consulate, UAE

• Passport renewal:Sunday to Thursday ( 8:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00 to 3:30pm)
• Notarial Services: Sunday to Thursday ( 8:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00 to 3:30pm)
• Visa Application: Sunday to Thursday ( 9:00am to 12:00pm)

SAUDI ARABIA: ROYAL PARDON COVERAGE & OVERSTAYERS REPATRIATION PROCEDURES

PHL Embassy Riyadh Advisory No. 007-2011

Last Update: 26 January 2011

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh recalls that the Saudi Government had graciously announced on 22 September 2010 a Royal Pardon or Amnesty for a period of six months for those who overstayed their visas and violated residency rules.

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh immediately sent on 22 September 2010 a Note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to clarify the coverage and procedures for the Royal Pardon. The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah sent a note on the same subject to the Saudi MFA Makkah Branch on 25 September 2010.

Procedures to avail of Royal Pardon for Overstayers (Hajj, Umrah and Visit Visa]

On 1 January 2011, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh received the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ reply in Note No. 94/77/21403 dated 19 Muharram 1432 Hejira [25 December 2010] with the following information:

Ø       With reference to those who violated their hajj, umrah and visit visa, their fingerprints shall be taken by the Wafeeden Departments and then they shall be processed accordingly and allowed to leave.

Ø       With reference to those who are visitors [on family visit visa], They should proceed to the Directorate for Passports [Jawazat],

Ø       They should settle fees for extension of the visit visa [penalty is SR200 per month.  The SR10,000 penalty has been suspended for the period of the Royal Pardon.]

Ø       Their status should be corrected at the computer database [of the Directorate for Passports]

Ø       The visit visa holder is also required to present him or herself to the General Directorate for Passports or Jawazat in the respective regions for biometrics [fingerprinting] and finalization of his repatriation.

According to the authorities, all overstaying nationals, including those availing of the Royal Pardon, will be blacklisted from returning to the Kingdom.  Overstaying foreign nationals apprehended after the 23 March 2011 will be required to pay a heavy penalty and may be subject to imprisonment.

In its reply, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not include any mention of those with expired iqamas; those who came to the Kingdom for employment with a sponsor and have stayed beyond the validity of their iqama; or those who absconded from their original employer and seek repatriation.  It is therefore clear that, as mentioned in various news reports, absconding workers or TNTs are not included in the Royal Pardon or “Amnesty”.

Requirements for Repatriation of Overstayers – With Sponsor

Various officials of the Embassy and the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices in Riyadh, Al-Khobar and the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah have made representations with the Saudi concerned authorities, particularly the General Directorate for Passports [Jawazat] and the Directorate for Expatriates [Wafeedin] and have been informed of the existing requirements for repatriation of absconding foreigners.

AMNESTY / DEPORTATION GUIDELINES FOR OVERSTAYING VISITORS IN KSA

PCG Jeddah Advisory No. 2011/001

Last Update: 07 January 2011

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) recently issued a set of procedures for the deportation of visitors with expired umrah, hajj or visitor visa. The guideline that was issued is Circular Note No. 91/74/27523/31 and it aims to inform all Consulates in Saudi Arabia about the Royal Amnesty that they are granting for all overstayers. The Royal Amnesty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was announced last September 23, 2010 and is effective from September 25, 2010 until March 23, 2011.
 
The amnesty is given to overstayers who would voluntarily go to the authorities and to those who are detained for illegal stay. Part of the reason why the amnesty was granted is to solve the problem of overcrowding at the Jeddah Deportation Centers. Listed below are the guidelines for the Royal Amnesty:
 
1. For violations of the Saudi Law No. M/51 dated 21/8/1426H Police authorities will provide the Saudi Labor Offices with copy of the police report on cited violations.

The Saudi Labor Office will then decide on the overstayers' labor cases by applying applicable regulations.

The Saudi Labor Office shall also inform the sponsors of the overstayers to present themselves to the Saudi Labor Office.

The overstayers may continue working until their labor cases are resolved.
 
 
2. For violations of legal residents and Saudi nationals (without distinction) such as employing, transporting, helping or harboring those with no legal iqamas such as Hajj or umrah pilgrims or visitors or tourists and the like The arresting authority will surrender the violator to the Directorate for Expatriates (Wafeeden) of the General Directorate of Passports.

The Wafeeden Directorate shall conduct an investigation and shall take the biometric information (fingerprinting and eye scan) of the individual

 
The Wafeeden Directorate may release the violator after presentation of guarantee (kafala) and penalty acceptable to the GDP (Jawazat) after it assured that any decision issued by the Administrative Committee of the General Directorate for Passports (Jawazat), either for repatriation or imprisonment, may be implemented.
 
 
3. For violators of the terms of the hajj, umrah, visitor or tourist visa Upon arrest, the police authorities will turn them over to immigration authorities for investigation and biometric documentation (fingerprinting).

The owner of the hajj, umrah, tourist company or the visitor's sponsor shall be summoned by the Jawazat and shall be asked to provide their passports and airline tickets.

The Jawazat will issue deportation visas and will release the violators under the guarantee of a sponsor who must submit proof of their departure within two (2) weeks of such issuance.

Failure on the part of the sponsor to submit proof of the departure could result in the suspension of his personal records and activities in the government's computer system.
 

4. For those who overstayed their umrah/hajj visas but who voluntarily surrender For those who present their original passports and tickets, the Directorate for Expatriates (Wafeeden) of the General Directorate for Jawazat shall subject them to investigation and routine security checks before they are issued exit visas and are allowed to depart.

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY / POLO ABU DHABI: NEW CONTACT NUMBER, EMBASSY HOURS AND CONSULAR SERVICES

15 SEP 2010 PRESS RELEASE: PHILIPPINE EMBASSY ABU DHABI ..... click this link to read more


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PAG-IBIG CONTRIBUTION MANDATORY EFFECTIVE 01 AUG 2010

ATTENTION: OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
Aside from OWWA contribution, effective 01 August 2010, POEA has implemented a mandatory PAG-IBIG contribution to all Filipino workers upon registering the Filipino worker as a registered OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) with the initial payment contribution of covering 6 months.

BIR: INCOME TAX EXEMPTION FOR FILIPINO SENIOR CITIZENS

To receive the full copy and to read more of BIR Revenue Regulations No. 7-2010 (Republic Act No. 9994) to read the full guidelines for the availment tax exemption, please write us at Samahang Pinoy Kawanggawa website (http://www.isabelsaguinsin2.blogspot.com/) or leave your message at Comments section.

10 PRACTICAL TIPS WHEN APPLYING FOR A PHILIPPINE PASSPORT

         

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) offered 10 practical tips to the general public when applying for a passport. These tips are to ensure that applicants will have a fast, efficient and hassle-free application process.

First, applicants should contact the DFA for the latest passport information. They could visit the DFA website (www.dfa.gov.ph) or call 834-4000.

Second, they should apply for passports way ahead of their scheduled trip. Applicants should check the validity of their passports and update their documents accordingly....

2010 Schedule for Mobile Passport Services in Various Local Government Units in the Philippines

2010 Schedule of Mobile Passport Services in the Philippines

    Date                  LGU/Agency 
10-Jul 2010  Marawi City (Umrah/Hadj Applicants)
17-Jul 2010  Mandaluyong City
24-Jul 2010  Dinalupihan, Bataan
31-Jul 2010  Philippine National Police, Camp Crame
31-Jul 2010  Bataan Provincial Capitol, Balanga City
7-Aug 2010  ABS-CBN, Quezon City
14-Aug 2010 Municipality of Pateros,Metro Manila
14-Aug 2010  Nueva Ecija Provincial Capitol, Cabanatuan City
21-Aug 2010  Guimba, Nueva Ecija
21-Aug 2010  Santa Ana, Pampanga
28-Aug 2010  Gen. Tinio, Nueva Ecija
28-Aug 2010  Balanga City
4-Sep 2010  Baler, Aurora (Tentative)
4-Sep 2010  Tarlac Provincial Capitol, Tarlac City
11-Sep 2010  Bulacan Provincial Capitol, Malolos City
11-Sep 2010  Baliwag, Bulacan
18-Sep 2010  Carmona, Cavite
25-Sep 2010 San Rafael, Bulacan
25-Sep 2010 Valenzuela City
2-Oct 2010 Malabon City
2-Oct 2010 Bataan Provincial Capitol, Balanga City
13-Nov 2010 Makati City

The processing of passports at Mobile Passport Services is guided by the Philippine Passport Act of 1996 and its implementing rules and regulations, other relevant Department Orders, Circulars and Memoranda.

Participation in the Mobile Passport Services must be coordinated with the Passport Coordinator designated by the Local Government Unit (LGU) in advance. The designated LGU Passport Coordinator will collect copies of the application forms from interested applicants at least two weeks in advance of the scheduled date of the mobile passport service.

The LGU Passport Coordinator will inform the applicant of the indicative time during which he or she will have to file the passport application on the scheduled date of the Mobile Passport Service.
Personal appearance is a requirement for all passport applicants except for minors who are 8 years old and below and senior citizens who are 65 years old and above.

The Mobile Passport Service will not accept applications for the replacement of lost valid passports but will entertain applications for lost expired passports.
 The Mobile passport fee is same with the Expedite Rate.

For Any Details please call RCOCC at 0063 2 834-4000 LOCAL NOS. 2406 - 2410 or 836-7750

PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS:


Any queries, please don't hesitate to contact us at 00971 50 7528573 or at sie_2@hotmail.com / www.isabelsaguinsin2.blogspot.com, attention to Ma'am Isabel.

RP Consulate General in Jeddah Issues First ePassport

19 July 2010-The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah has issued its first electronic passport (ePassport).

First to receive an ePassport is Mr. Jobby De Felipe Nalica of Roxas City.
Mr. Nalica is an employee of Emirates Airlines and has been working in Jeddah for the last 18 years.

The Consulate General started implementing the ePassport System last July 1....

DFA ADVISORY

DFA Office of Consular Affairs Closed on June 30Wednesday, 23 June 2010 14:18 Public Information Service Unit .23 June 2010
The Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Consular Affairs announced that it will be closed for processing and releasing of passports and authenticated documents on June 30 (Wednesday).

June 30 was declared a non-working holiday for the inauguration of President-elect Benigno Aquino III.

Appointments for processing and release of passports and authenticated documents scheduled for that day will be accommodated on July 1-2, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Regular working schedule will resume on July 1 (Thursday).


DFA Warns the Public Against Passport Fixers
Friday, 18 June 2010 13:33 Public Information Service Unit .18 June 2010
The Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) is warning the public against .....