What should you do if you need a new NBI Clearance, but you are currently outside the Philippines? No need to worry because we asked the National Bureau of Investigation the procedures on how to get or renew NBI clearance abroad, and we’re sharing the guides here.
We successfully got an NBI clearance while in Canada recently, and we did the given procedures here. Both options are quick, but the second one is more convenient based on our experience since it’s for a renewal application. Our clearance was released on the same day as the appointment date.
Who May Need an NBI Clearance Abroad?
- OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers)
- Filipino citizens currently residing abroad
- Foreign nationals who lived in the Philippines
This guide is applicable for OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) who want to become permanent residents overseas and Filipino citizens who are residing outside the Philippines. The purpose of getting NBI clearance abroad is usually to facilitate permanent resident visa application, work permit application, and criminal background check.
How to Get or Renew NBI Clearance Abroad
There are two methods to secure an NBI clearance abroad:
- Getting NBI clearance through the Philippine Embassy or Consulate Office – the one-stop-hub for all the government and OFW services, and that includes helping Filipinos secure new NBI clearances. This method must be done if you don’t have an old NBI Clearance issued from 2014 to 2018.
- Getting NBI Clearance Online with an Authorized Representative – a faster route if you are renewing an expired clearance. A family member or a trusted relative of yours will receive your NBI Clearance on your behalf. You need to sign up for an online appointment before your authorized representative will claim your certificate for you.
Method 1: Getting NBI clearance through the Philippine Embassy or Consulate Office
1. Have your bio-metrics taken
If you go to the Philippine embassy or consulate office in your host country, applying an NBI clearance abroad starts with filling out the NBI form containing your personal information. You’ll need to have your bio-metrics taken. The officer will then sign your NBI form after you have completed the process of providing your fingerprints. The document will be forwarded and endorsed to the main NBI clearance center in UN Avenue, Manila.
2. Prepare the documents required
- Passport bio page (photocopy)
- 2 x 2 passport-seized photo in white background (must be recent and taken within three months at the time of application)
- Authorization Letter (with your signature and copy of your valid IDs)
3. Schedule an online appointment
You must have a valid email address before you sign up for an account at the NBI clearance portal. Scheduling an appointment is easy. Make sure you encode accurate and consistent information about yourself, including your present address abroad.
Select your date of appointment and choose the NBI UN Avenue branch. Pay the fees and keep a copy of your reference number and confirmed schedule.
4. Send your documents to your authorized representative
Pay a trusted courier service like DHL and UPS to send your documents to your authorized representative. You can also include your confirmed appointment to the NBI UN Avenue.
5. Submit your documents at the NBI UN Avenue
Since you can’t attend your appointment this time, your authorized representative must submit the NBI form containing your fingerprints, copy of your passport, confirmed appointment, and authorization letter.
6. Receive your NBI clearance within the day of your appointment
Your NBI clearance will be released within the day of your appointment date. Your representative can now send it to your present address through a courier service.
Method 2: Getting NBI Clearance Online with an Authorized Representative
1. Prepare the documents required
- Old NBI Clearance reflecting your address abroad
- Passport bio page (photocopy)
- 2 x 2 passport-seized photo in white background (must be recent and taken within three months at the time of application)
- Authorization Letter (with your signature and copy of your valid IDs)
2. Schedule an online appointment
Very comfy and easy for you as you can do it online anywhere. Make sure you provide correct personal details and your accurate address. Consider the date to match the availability of your trusted representative. It’s very important to select NBI UN Avenue, Manila, as the branch because all OFW clearances are being released and processed there.
3. Pay your clearance
You can use your credit card for a convenient transaction. NBI clearance online processing fee is P155 per certificate.
4. Send your confirmed appointment
You can save a screenshot photo of your confirmed appointment containing a reference number and QR code. Your representative must bring that copy when they attend the releasing of your clearance.
5. Authorize someone to claim your NBI clearance
Your authorized representative must strictly attend your scheduled appointment. Your NBI clearance will be released on that date.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much is NBI Clearance application fee?
NBI Clearance application fee costs a total of P155 per certificate issued for new and renewal. That covers the P130 application fee plus the P25 system fee for the e-payment service. Price may change after the publication of this post.
Can I ask my representative to schedule an appointment for me?
Yes, as long as you trust that person. Provided, that person must encode the correct details about your profile and background online. You can log in to your NBI clearance account to check and edit your profile information.
How long does NBI clearance expire?
The validity of NBI clearance is one year from the date of issuance.
What’s the difference between Police Clearance and NBI Clearance?
Police Clearance is a certificate that proves you have a clean record, free from criminal charges within a local municipality while NBI Clearance is a certificate that proves you are a law-abiding citizen with a clean background, cleared from any criminal record within a country.
I lost my NBI Clearance, what should I do?
You can apply for a new NBI clearance again. If you have kept a photocopy of your lost certificate, you can proceed to renewing your clearance. Otherwise, apply for a new one if you have no remaining copies.
What does it mean if you got a “hit” status in the application of NBI clearance?
NBI clearance “hit” result or status means that your name has triggered one of their master list of names who have or had an unlawful or criminal background. Don’t worry, though, because you’ll receive your clearance once they investigated their records and database thoroughly.
I am the representative. Can I do the online registration in behalf of the relative? What address should I put in – should it be the address where the representative who needs? Or should it be the address here in the Philippines where he/she once resided?
Thanks, in advance.
Hi, this is very helpful, but i just want to ask if they need the original copy of my old NBI clearance ? and what do you mean by reflecting address abroad? coz my old NBI still in Philippine address, do
i need to change it to Canada address when I do the renewal or PH address is fine?
thanks in advance