If you have lived or worked in the Philippines irrespective of your status as a Filipino citizen or an immigrant and your intention is to immigrate to another country then you will require a police Clearance Certificate. The PCC solely gives assurance that you do not have any criminal record in the Philippines or it informs about the crime if you have one. It is needed when one wants to travel for immigration, job, or for staying in other countries.
Here is the full procedure on how to apply for and get a PCC under the Philippines whether inside the Philippines or abroad.
What is PCC?
These documents are called a Police Clearance Certificate, while it is also referred to as the NBI Clearance in the Philippines obtained through the National Bureau of Investigation. It validates on whether an individual has a criminal record or not. This document is normally expected of you when applying for visas, jobs, or immigrant’s status in another country.
Procedures to Involve in Applying for and Getting the PCC
Determine Which PCC You Need: Local or NBI Clearance
There are two types of clearances in the Philippines:
Local Police Clearance: Is provided by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and commonly for local needs such as employment within the country. It is not adopted for international use as are other types of organizational documents.
NBI Clearance: This one is the standard document also preferred for travel and work purposes such as immigration employment or residency. You will require an NBI Clearance for overseas use.
Gather Required Documents
You must get ready the papers you would need, as you are conversing with the friendly and polite personnel. The application process requires the following documents:
Valid ID or Passport: **For those applying in the Philippines, you will need a government-issued ID while those applying abroad, you need a passport.
**Recent Photographs: Photographs that measure 2 by 2 inches on standard white background.
Completed NBI Application Form: This form may be downloaded online for those residents in the Philippines or at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate if the applicants reside abroad.
Fingerprint Card: For those applying from abroad, fingerprint impressions are required. These can be taken at a local police station or an accredited fingerprinting service.
Getting an NBI Clearance if you are inside the Philippines
Step 1: Register Online
Applying for NBI clearance begins online. Go to the NBI Clearance website or use a link provided above to sign up for an account. Here Personal details will be provided and the reason for clearance will be chosen (say for business or travelling etc).
Step 2: Select an Appointment Date
Once your information has been filled up, what you need to do is to set an appointment at the NBI Clearance Center nearest you. It will provide you with a possibility to be fingerprinted and ID verified at the time and place of your preference.
Step 3: Pay the Application Fee
The NBI clearance fee may be paid through online banking, over the counter payments or through payment centers. You should ensure that you retain the receipt as evidence of payment.
Step 4: Visit the NBI Office for Biometric Booking.
The next time, go to NBI and submit your documents, have your fingerprints scanned, and take a picture. It is also a fast process. The process is simple.
Step 5: Receive Your NBI Clearance
Once you have placed in your application and the fingerprints, the clearance will be done. If you pass the clearance test, you will be given the document on the same day or else you will be required to come for it later.
Applying for an NBI clearance from outside the Philippines
It is a slightly different process than applying for one when in the Philippines. If you are living in a foreign country at the moment, getting an NBI clearance is somewhat different but not at all hard. Here’s how:
Step 1: Obtain a Fingerprint Card
Go to your local police station or any accredited fingerprint agency of your country. The fingerprint card should be properly completed and the impressions on the card must be a print of good quality.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Along with the fingerprint card, prepare the following documents:
• A photocopy of your valid passport (information page)
• Two passport-sized photos with a white background
• A completed NBI Form No. 5, which is available at Philippine embassies or consulates abroad
Step 3: Post Your Papers to the Philippines
Mail your clear, legible documents and your fingerprint card to the agency located at NBI Mindanao Branch – San Francisco, Cagayan de Oro City, and Philippines. It is advisable that such a statement should have provision for return mail or arrangement should be made by the NBI to return the clearance through postal mail.
Step 4: Pay the Application Fee
The application fee can be settled with the Philippine bank or through the bank’s representative. In particular, if you have a friend or relative living in the Philippines, he/she can make the payment on your behalf.
Step 5: Wait for the Application to be processed
The duration it takes for the applications for people in other countries may take more time because of mailing and verification. Your PCC will then be submitted to the NBI for clearance and once your application is cleared, your PCC will be mailed back to your foreign address.
What Makes Hiring A Private Authorized Agency Necessary?
The general procedure of getting a PCC from a foreign country may be quite a long and complicated course. This is where hiring a private authorized agency can come in handy when it comes to the method.
Fingerprinting Expertise: There are also agencies which provide professional fingerprinting services which complies with the NBI’s standards and avoid rejection of your fingerprints due to poor quality. This is very important to those coming from other countries to apply for a visa.
Error-Free Application: A private agency makes certain that all the required forms are completed properly and all paperwork is as it should be. They can assist you in the process, minimizing your chances of getting it wrong and incurring additional time or have your application rejected.
Convenient and Fast: It may take weeks or even months to secure an NBI clearance application outside the country, but there are authorized agencies that can assist you in securing one from start up to follow-up of documents. This saves your time and energy.
Tracking and Updates: Another thing that professional agencies do is they make sure that you are well informed about the status of your application. They afford positive tracking and you are assured that your documents and clearance will be processed and returned to you on time.
Conclusion
You might need a police clearance certificate for many legal matters, whether one is an applicant in the Philippines or applying online from another country. Preparation of documents, fingerprinting, and submission of the application if done correctly makes the process very easy. Private authorized agencies are more convenient to be hired as they themselves make less chance of making mistakes and give a smooth experience. With their help, you can get your Police Clearance certificate from Philippines easily with the least amount of hassle towards your next move abroad.
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