Here’s What You Need To Do To Get An iDOLE ID Card

Written by Marc Adrian

According to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), roughly 9.5 million to 12.5 million Filipinos currently work or reside abroad, which is equivalent to 10 to 11% of the total population of the Philippines.

To put that into perspective, about 4,500 Filipinos leave the country every day to work abroad, meaning more than a million workers ply their trade in a foreign country.

For OFWs to legally exit the Philippines as overseas workers, they must secure an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC). The OEC is basically an exit pass that grants OFWs the authorization to depart the country.  Without it, they will not be allowed to leave the Philippines and return to the country of their employment. This process has to be done every time they go back to work after a period of stay in the Philippines. With the strict implementation of OECs on OFWs need to go through the burdensome process every time they go back home.  

In an effort to lessen the burden on OFWs, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has finally created a unified ID system that will replace the outdated OEC system. The unified ID system for OFWs is called the iDOLE.  

What are benefits of an iDOLE (OFW card)?

With convenience in mind, streamlining the entire process for OFWs through the iDOLE system will come with the following benefits:

1. This will make OFW documentary process easier not just for the government but also for the OFWs themselves. With a unitary ID for all overseas workers, not only will the paper works be lessened, but also make it more seamless.

2. The iDOLE ID will grant OFWs online access to the appropriate agencies for Overseas Employment. Their website idole.dole.gov.ph consolidates all the data from different government agencies involved in OFW deployment, like Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and Bureau of Immigration (BI).

3. With a more streamlined and unified database, it will be easier for OFWs to process their statutory contributions back at home, like SSS, Philhealth, and Pag-IBIG.  

4.  This ID will replace Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs) which OFWs need to apply for to exit the country legally as OFWs, eliminating the need for extra paperworks everytime they go home.

5. OFWs can use the iDOLE ID to apply for terminal fee and travel tax exemptions.

How to apply for an iDOLE ID card?

Only registered OFWs who recently acquired an OEC are eligible for an iDOLE ID card. If you are already working overseas but don’t have one yet, here’s what you need to do:

Securing an OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate)

1. Go to www.bmonline.ph
2. Register with your email address and click the “Sign Me Up” button.
3. A confirmation email will be sent to you email with a link to complete your registration. Click the link found in the email.
4. Fill-in with the required information: personal Data, contract Particulars, and beneficiaries.
5. Click Acquire OEC or Exemption for online assessment. Enter flight date and confirm if returning to the same employer and jobsite.

iDOLE ID online application process

Once you’ve acquired your OEC, you are now set to apply for an iDOLE ID! Here’s how:

1. Go to  https://ofw.idole.ph/ and click on “Create An Account”

2.Click on the drop down box and choose “Valid OEC Number”

3. Fill up the form with the appropriate details (OEC number, personal information, email address, and contact number.)

4. Once you’ve completed the registration process, log in to your account.

5. Click on the “iDOLE One Stop Shop” button then choose “OFW ID Card”

6. You will then be asked to choose the delivery type of your ID.

7. Click the delivery type. You can choose to have a door-to-door delivery or you can just pick it up at the POEA office near you. Then, click Submit.

8. A message will pop-up saying “Your OFW ID has been generated successfully” together with with your OFW ID Number and confirmation details.’

iDOLE ID offline application process

Alternatively, OFWs can also apply for an iDOLE ID card through DOLE office branches for those who are in the Philippines, or in any POEA office overseas.

Documents needed

• 2 Valid IDs (if applying through a DOLE office in the Philippines
  Passport (if applying through a POEA office overseas)
• Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)

Procedure

1. Visit DOLE’s regional office in your area or POEA office in the country of employment and submit your Valids ID or Passport together with your OEC.
2. Your name will be verified from the database of qualified OFWs POEA’s listing.
3. After successful verification, your ID will then be printed and will be made ready for release
4. Wait until your name be called for the release of your iDOLE.

The future of iDOLE system

The first phase of the system is now in full swing, linking the iDOLE system with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Future plans for this will further interlink the databases of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) offices and agencies with other government agencies for a more reliable, updated and complete Labor Market Information System (LMIS) for employment facilitation purposes. (DOLE/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR).

Since the iDOLE system is still on its early stages, the only purpose that the iDOLE ID card may serve is as a replacement for the OEC. Since it will be a permanent document granting OFWs legal exit from the country anytime they wish to while still employed overseas, it’s highly recommended to get one before your next trip to the Philippines. This will save you time, money, and effort getting those OECs every time you go home.

image from gulfnews.com