This is how to get an OEC, and an authenticated Contract as required by the POEA in order to be able to leave the country for overseas work. After successfully landing a teaching in China contract and undergoing the process of searching for a job online, interviews and demos, bargaining, and securing a contract, one of the most difficult parts of the application process is securing the POEA requirement which is contract authentication by the Philippine consulate in mainland China to get an OEC.
The Philippines is the only country that has this requirement. This process makes the employer/school or agents reject many highly qualified teachers because of the contract authentication. Those who are near the consulate and have the means, manpower, and time, may continue to authenticate the contract until it is done. Lucky are those teachers, but many were not fortunate enough. Better luck next time.
You can download the POEA Employment Contract for Various Skills HERE
The contract authentication has to go through three agencies for the whole process. Follow along as I guide you through each one.
1. Notarization – Notarial Certificate and Translation
The employer/school or agent must bring the duly signed POEA contract and other requirements such as business permit, company profile, owner’s ID card or representative’s ID card with authorization, and others to the notary office for notarization and translation.
Fee: 810 RMB more or less depending on the location.
Waiting time: 3-5 Working days (more or less)
2. Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) Authentication
After securing a notarial certificate from the notary office, the employer/school or agent must bring the notarized POEA contract to the provincial Foreign Affairs Office for authentication.
Fee: 100 RMB more or less depending on the location.
Waiting time: 7-10 Working days (more or less)
3. Philippine Consulate Authentication
The final step in the POEA teaching in China contract authentication is the Philippine consulate’s issuance of authentication or acknowledgment depending on the request done by the applicant which is the employer/school or agent.
Fee: 266 RMB for overnight processing, 190 RMB for regular 3-days processing.
Waiting time: 1-3 Working days (more or less)
What’s next after contract authentication?
After your employer/school or agent receives the authenticated POEA teaching in China contract from the Philippine consulate, they still need to apply for a work permit through the Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) online service and wait for the approval. If your work permit is approved, a notice of approval is issued. This will then be sent to you along with the authenticated POEA teaching contract.
After you received the documents;
- Bring the authenticated contract to POEA to apply for an OEC or overseas employment certificate. Your permit to leave the country.
- Bring the work permit notice of approval along with other required documents to the Chinese Embassy to apply for a Z-Visa—your permit to enter China.
This is the whole authentication process. This marks the beginning of your journey to China in the quest for a greener pasture. Wish you all the success in your teaching career in China!
Watch and learn more about POEA contract authentication in China from an on-site teacher.
Specific Requirements for Contract Authentication in China
1. Personal appearance of the employee/employer;
If neither the employee nor the employer can personally have the employment contract acknowledged, the party may choose to have the employment contract acknowledged by the local notary and have the documents legalized (authenticated) by the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of China or authorized Foreign Affairs Offices (FAO) of local governments. For more information on the process of legalization of documents in China, you may visit MFA’s website at http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/wgrlh/lsrz/lsrzjjs/.
2. Two (2) sets of prescribed POEA Contract.
The contracting parties may either use the template POEA Employment Contract for Various Skills issued by the POEA, or they may use their own contract provided it meets the required provisions of the POEA. Of the two sets, one set will be the filing copy of the Embassy. Should you need more than one set of your contract acknowledged, prepare the necessary copies accordingly.
3. Two (2) copies of the Passport of the employee/employer.
Of the two sets, one set will be the filing copy of the Embassy. Should you need more than one set of your contract acknowledged, prepare the necessary copies accordingly.
4. National ID of the employer (if applicable); and
A copy of the employer’s ID or representative’s ID as an attachment to the set of documents.
5. Business License (with English translation)
A copy of the employer’s business license both in Chinese and English translations as an attachment to the set of documents.
No responses yet