Apparently, you won't be able to et Overseas Employment Certification in Japan (Tokyo) if you are getting it for the first time. Please take note of the following cliff notes that are important to consider before getting the OEC.
Under the rules and regulations of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are required to have an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) when departing for, or returning to their work overseas. The OEC, also known as exit clearance/pass, is a document certifying the regularity of recruitment and documentation of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) and a proof of his/her registration with the POEA. The OEC is presented to the immigration officer at the airport of exit in the Philippines. A worker exiting from the Philippines without OEC may be prevented by the immigration officer from leaving the country.
An OFW who holds an OEC enjoys the following privileges: (a) travel tax exemption; (b) airport terminal fee exemption; and (c) reduced travel tax for spouse or dependents.
For Filipinos, OEC is an important piece of paper that we (OFW) need to secure if we wanted to go back to philippines and safely come back to the country we are currently residing and working. To simply put, the OEC has major benefits. First, it exempts you from paying travel tax and terminal fee in the airport. You don't have to line up in the immigration line as the PH airport has a special designated line for OFWs as a priority. Secondly, it secures your employment status in POEA/POLO making you a legitimate overseas worker. SO if something unfortunate happens to you abroad, the government can aid or support you so to speak.
Beware that if you are an OFW, you have to have OEC before flying back to the foreign country you are working as you will get in trouble in the immigration. They won't let you exit the country if you don't submit an OEC. In other words, it is a must.
In Japan, the procedures have recently changed in a sense that POLO Tokyo will only verify your documents, stamp them with a seal. Here are the steps on how you can get your employment documents verified in Tokyo, Japan.
1. Check the POLO website to check the full list of requirements/ documents you need to bring to POLO. This will depend on your status whether you are in a student visa changing to working visa, a working employee changing employer and so forth. I am highlighting these two since this is based on my actual, personal experience.
2. Bring the complete documents to POLO Tokyo (address: 5-15-5 Roppongi,MInato, Tokyo, Japan 106-8537) but prior to that make sure to schedule an appointment and request it through emailing oec.tokyo88@gmail.com . You can choose the time and date: otherwise if they have any objections they are not available, they will inform you otherwise. Note: you will not be entertained if you have no appointment.
Walk-ins are not permitted.
3. They will give you a priority number, so please wait for your turn.
4. You may also have to pay your dues for OWWA. If you haven't registered yet, you will be asked to fill up a form to do so. An annual contribution fee will be paid.
What is OWWA?
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and a membership institution.
It protects and promotes the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their dependents. It was formerly known as Welfare and Training Fund for Overseas Workers and was organized in 1977.
OWWA, as it is commonly known, is present in 31 overseas posts in 27 countries. It also has its regional presence in all the seventeen regions.
5. Your documents will be reviewed and filed by an officer-in-charge. Make sure to bring the original copies of all your documents especially your employment contract. If possible, photocopy your passport and resident card (zairyuu card) in advance to avoid hassles. Your letter of explanation should thoroughly explain how you entered Japan and how you obtained a work visa.
It would also be more convenient if you have registered and signed up for an online BM online account. Make sure to input all the necessary details correctly.
6. Once verified, you will have an interview with Mr. Dominador A. Salanga and will be asked multiple questions for confirmation purposes.
7. After all this is done, the officer-in-charge will stamp all your documents as verified. You have to then take those documents with you to the PHILIPPINE POEA branch and you will be issued the OEC in Philippines.
*As a precaution, it would be best to photocopy your verified documents for back-up.
*Important: One of POLO's requirement is a face-to-face interview with your employer. This may sound absurd especially because most company CEO or Managers are busy and won't have the time to spare to visit the POLO office just to verify your employment. Fortunately, if your company is known to hire Filipino workers, then chances are POLO already has an existing proof (ex. if your company have been previously interviewed), then they don't have to speak with your Employer's representative.
8. Before going back to the Philippines, make sure to schedule an appointment via BM online for getting your OEC. Secure an appointment first because you will not be entertained if you don't have an online appointment set beforehand.
A few more reminders:
1. It is worth mentioning that you must ensure your contract's monthly gross income amount is not less than 200,000 yen especially if you are living in Tokyo area as the POLO office would not approve.
2. Bring the exact change amount just because.
3. As much as possible, schedule your appointment early in the morning so that if there are any delays or additional requirements you can still process them within the working hours of the day and hopefully finish this tedious verification process on the same day.
POLO working hours:
Mondays to Fridays 9AM to 6PM except on Philippines and Japan declared holidays.
Our landlines are: +81-36441-0428/+81-36441-0478/
5-15-5 Roppongi,MInato, Tokyo, Japan 106-8537
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