Balik Manggagawa Online Processing System: A Quick Guide for OFWs

As one of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s (POEA) initiatives to make life easier for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), the Balik Manggagawa Online Processing System makes it easier for OFWs to secure their Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).

The OEC is an important document for any OFW as they need it to ensure that they can travel to the foreign land where they are employed.

To give OFWs a little more help, we made this comprehensive guide to utilizing the Balik Manggagawa Online Processing System. Read on and be prepared.

What is an OEC?

An OEC is a document issued by POEA proving that you are a legally registered OFW. It is valid for 60 days since the date of issuance and needs to be presented at the airport.

It also serves various purposes, including:

  • Travel exit clearance at the airport
  • Exclusion from paying the terminal fee and travel tax
  • Valid proof of legal OFW status which grants protection, benefits, and assistance from the government
  • Supporting papers for loan privileges entitled to OFWs

What is Balik Manggagawa or BM Online?

Balik Manggagawa (BM) Online Processing system is an online platform that allows an OFW to set an appointment to acquire an OEC or else confirm that you are qualified of for an OEC Exception.

It saves the OFW from going to an office and falling in line to wait, as it allows them to process their application anytime and anywhere. BM Online can be visited via POEA website.

The cost of e-payment service is P19.50, and it will be added on top of the processing fee of P100. In total, it takes P119.50 to secure OEC using the BM Online.

(Read: OFW Loan Options: How To Get Funds For A Home, Automobile, And More)

What are the benefits of using Balik Manggagawa Online?

It must be noted that every OFW should register on BM Online. Here are the reasons why:

  • From the POEA data, the system tells if you are OEC-exempted or not and informs the Bureau of Immigration about your status.
  • Being OEC-exempted, you don’t have to go through data encoding and evaluation at the Labor Assistance Counter (pre-departure process at the airport) on the day of your flight.
  • You don’t have to wait long for getting cleared or submit travel documents that might delay or lose your flight.

Steps on BM Online application

If this is your first time to create an account on BM Online, you should follow these steps.

  1. Visit bmonline.ph and choose the signup box with a label: NEW USER?
  2. Type in your personal details
  3. Create a strong password paired with an active, personal email address.
  4. Verify your signup by clicking the captcha box: I AM NOT A ROBOT
  5. Check the Terms and Service box and proceed by clicking the SIGN ME UP button.
  6. A notification of successful account creation will pop up and click OKAY.
  7. Open your email, check the message from POEA, and click on the confirmation link.

You have activated your account successfully.

(Read: An OFW’s Guide To OWWA’s Business Loan Programs)

Steps on online appointment for regular processing of OEC

As mentioned above, those that are not qualified for OEC exemption must go through the regular process of getting OEC from any physical POEA office. However, you can have an appointment in advance through BM online. The processes are:

  1. Go to bmonline.ph.
  2. Choose the type box with the label: ALREADY REGISTERED?
  3. Log in with your email address and password.
  4. An OEC Number Verification will pop up on the screen. Since you don’t have one, set an Online Appointment.
  5. Accomplish the forms by typing in your personal information, legal beneficiaries, and agreements.
  6. You will be redirected to My Profile. Click on CHANGE PHOTO and next UPLOAD PHOTO.
  7. Choose the picture you want to use and click UPLOAD.
  8. You will be asked which POEA branch you want to get your OEC from on the Select Locations page.
  9. Pick the date and time slots available for the processing.
  10. A page of Appointment Schedule will pop up to check your chosen schedule, venue, and status.
  11. Print your Balik Manggagawa Information Sheet to present at the branch for the regular processing.

Steps on how to pay for OEC online

After going through the process of getting OEC mentioned above, you can also pay for it online. It costs P119.50.

  1. After clicking the Acquire OEC button, a Payment Page will appear. Click on what you prefer from these four options:
    • Over-the-counter payment in bank
    • Payment through online bank
    • Mobile payment
    • Over-the-counter payment in non-bank centers
  2. Click YES on the confirmation page.
  3. To send your payment:
    • If you chose payment centers or banks: pick a payment center or a bank from the system list. Click SELECT and then SEND INSTRUCTIONS through your email. Check your email affiliated with Balik Manggagawa Online for the next actions.
    • If you chose the mobile payment via GCash, type in your mobile number and click PAY.
  4. After you get notified for successful payment, click on MY TRANSACTIONS on BM Online and print your OEC.

Who can avail of the OEC Exemption?

This online service, also called OEC Exemption, is not available to all OFWs. You must be:

  • A vacationing OFW in the country
  • Going back to the same employer and job site
  • Present in the POEA database or previously given an OEC by POEA

Who are not qualified to get an OEC Exemption?

On the other hand, there are others who can’t get an OEC exception. This means that they need to set an appointment and go through regular processing.

Those who are not qualified for an OEC Exception are the following:

  • Having no POEA record or no details available from POEA
  • There were changes in employer or job site
  • Having an undocumented status (illegal OFW)
  • Subjected to POEA watchlist or with a pending case
  • Going back to a restricted country
  • Ex-seafarer

(Read: OFWs And Families To Get Financial Training Through ‘PiTaKa’)

Steps on getting an OEC Exemption online

If you are qualified to get an OEC Excemption online, this is the process tha you need to go through:

  1. Go to bmonline.ph.
  2. Choose the type box with the label: ALREADY REGISTERED?
  3. Log in with your email address and password.
  4. An OEC Number Verification will pop up on the screen. Type in your OEC number and click OK to proceed.
  5. A confirmation page pops up where you must click YES with the provided employer and job site information.
  6. Accomplish the forms by typing in your personal information, legal beneficiaries, and agreements. Make necessary corrections or updates by clicking EDIT.
  7. You will be redirected to My Profile. Click on CHANGE PHOTO and next UPLOAD PHOTO.
  8. Click on the NEXT STEP button.
  9. Type in your flight schedule, but it must be within the period of OEC validity (60 days).
  10. Click SUBMIT and next, YES for confirmation.
  11. Then, choose Acquire OEC/Exemption
  12. Being eligible to OEC Exemption, a confirmation page will pop up. It comes with your BM Exemption number and steps to do at the airport before the flight.

Now you’re ready to use Balik Manggagawa Online Processing System!

Working abroad entails many screening and processes from the application to immigration. With 2.2 million OFWs, it’s no wonder that delays and struggles pile up! The OFWs do huge sacrifices when leaving their family and the country, so sparing them from going through more hassles can give a consolation. BM Online is one example.