A balik-manggagawa or a worker-on leave refers to an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who is on vacation or on leave and is returning to the same employer.

 Documentary Requirements

• Valid Passport
• Re-entry  visa,  work   permit,  or any  equivalent  document
• Proof that worker is returning to the same employer (company ID, employment certificate, pay slip, etc.)

Household Service Workers returning to  Singapore shall present a copy of latest employment contract duly verified by the POLO in Singapore.

 Government Fees

·        P 100.00                                   -   POEA Processing Fee

·        P 900.00                                   -   Philhealth Coverage Premium

·        US$ 25.00 or peso equivalent    -   OWWA Membership Fee

A Worker-on-Leave with valid OWWA membership and  PhilHealth coverage shall  only pay  Php 100.00 for POEA processing  fee

 Forms of Exit Clearance

Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) – issued by the POLOs and other regional offices.

E-receipt – integrated receipt for payments of POEA, OWWA, and Philhealth fees that also serves as the exit clearance at the airports.  E-receipts are issued by the POEA central office, POEA Cebu, and POEA La Union. 

The e-receipt  and OEC are issued in 5 copies, a copy each for the POEA, the OFW, LAC, airline, and airport authority and are valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. 

Multiple Travel Exit Clearance (MTEC)

The multiple travel exit clearance is a set of two or more clearances issued to airline cabin crew, flight attendants, off-shore workers, and other workers for use as an exit document that is valid for twelve months from date of issue. 

Where to get the Balik-Manggagawa Exit Clearance 

Filipino Workers-on-Leave or Balik-Manggagawa may now secure Exit Clearance from the following: 

1. Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs)

Returning workers may have their exit clearance processed at the POLOs nearest their jobsites prior to departure to the Philippines.  

2. POEA Central Office

Balik-Manggagawa Processing Center, Ortigas Ave. corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City 

3. POEA Regional Offices

Located in Baguio City; San Fernando City, La Union; Clark Field Angeles City; Calamba City; Legaspi City; Tacloban City; Iloilo City; Bacolod City; Cebu City; Cagayan de Oro City; Davao City; Cotabato City; and Zamboanga City. 

4. POEA Labor Assistance Centers

Located at NAIA-1, NAIA-2, Mactan International Airport, and Diosdado Macapagal International Aairport in Clarkfield Pampanga.

·     For returning workers who are on emergency leave for not more than one week, provided the worker has proof of valid membership with Philhealth and OWWA

·     LAC issues a one-day exit clearance to an OFWs who is already in the airport and have a flight to catch, and after the  POEA officer has established  that the worker would lose his job if not allowed to leave within that day

5.  POEA-Deputized OWWA Regional  Offices and Units

OWWA Tuguegarao - Sycanco Bldg.,  Bonifacio Street, Tugegarao,  Cagayan

OWWA Regional Unit – Caraga - 44 J.C Quirino Avenue,  Butuan City

5. Teleserv Express Clearance System

Teleserv is a courier service for returning workers who have not much time to secure their exit clearance at the POEA offices.

One-way  application process - The worker calls Teleserv at their telephone hotline 737-7777 for the requirements and procedure and submit the required documents (photocopies) at the Teleserv counter at the POEA Balik-Manggagawa Processing Center. Aside from the government processing fee, the worker shall pay to Teleserv P220.00 as service fee.

The exit clearance shall be delivered to the worker’s address within 2 days from the date of filing, and shall include refund of OWWA and/or Philhealth fees if membership is still active.

Two-way  application process - The worker  calls  Teleserv at their telephone hotline 737-7777 for pick-up of the required documents and payment of government fees and P380.00 Teleserv service fee.

2-go, the Teleserv official courier shall deliver the exit clearance to the worker’s address within 4 to 5 days from the time of pick-up of the documents.

Persons NOT qualified as Balik-Manggagawa

• Dependents of overseas Filipino workers 
• Persons who are traveling on student visa.
• Persons who are traveling on business visa 
• Permanent Residents of foreign countries 
• OFWs who have changed employers but have not reported for work prior to travel to the Philippines

 Use of exit clearance

 Having an exit clearance is proof that the worker has undergone the legal and right procedure of  overseas employment. Being a registered OFW, the worker is accorded the full protection and benefits from government institutions while he is working abroad and upon his return to the Philippines. 

 It also exempts the OFW from payment of travel tax and airport terminal fee.

NOTE:  Starting March 24, 2008, departing OFWs  shall present the exit clearance or overseas employment certificate issued by the POEA directly to the airline counters, terminal fee counters, and the Bureau of Immigration counters.

Source: POEA