Certification for Philippine Nationals Returning to Israel
What Is an OEC and Who Needs It?
When leaving the Philippines, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) are generally required to present an OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate).
However, according to Advisory No. 155 issued by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Tel Aviv, holders of unrestricted B1 visas (such as the B1 partner visa) are exempt from this requirement. Despite this, some immigration officers at the airport may still insist on the OEC.
As a practical solution, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv can issue a notarized certificate confirming that a person holds an unrestricted B1 or A5 visa based on partnership with an Israeli. This certificate is intended for presentation to Philippine Immigration Authorities to facilitate the traveler’s return to Israel and to prove exemption from the OEC requirement.
In practice, while Filipinos who are partners of Israelis and hold a partner visa technically do not need an OEC, it is strongly recommended to obtain a notarized certificate from the Philippine Embassy before traveling to the Philippines as a precautionary measure.
How to Obtain Certification From the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv?
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