Securing NBI clearance

One of the requirements that the National Visa Center asks from the immigrant visa applicant is an original copy of police clearance or police certificate. This document varies by country, and in the Philippines, it is the clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation which is given credence.

It is important to point out that when you secure an NBI clearance, you must specify that it is for immigrant visa purposes and not just “multi-purpose clearance” as what is routinely issued. Also, always apply using the name written in your PSA birth certificate and disclose if you have used any other aliases before. Thus, if your name on the birth certificate says “Prudencio M. Garcia” use that name with “M” as your middle initial and just disclose your complete middle name as your “other names used.”

Bear in mind too that the NBI clearance expires after a year, so when you submit this document to the National Visa Center and you get interviewed at the consulate after the expiry date, anticipate that you will be asked of a more recent clearance. Keep the duplicate that is stamped “personal copy” for your file and future reference.

And as I have mentioned in a previous column, if you have lived in another country for more than six months after you have reached 16 years old, you must also secure a police clearance from that country which is often time consuming, tedious, and expensive.

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Let me extend my sincerest condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones in the aftermath of the massive landslide in Tinaan, Naga City. Please know that the prayers of the whole nation are with you. While mere words do not completely heal your grief, may you be comforted by the outpouring of love expressed by the whole Cebuano community.

When the right time comes, I hope that there shall be an impartial investigation conducted by outside and independent technical experts to review if there were any lapses, negligence, or malfeasance committed by anyone in all aspects - from the assessment, monitoring, and conduct of the geological review of the area and if all applicable standards and protocols were followed before the issuance of the permit and maintenance of the quarry business in the area.

This column is not a substitute for professional legal advice obtained from a US-licensed immigration attorney. The information contained herein does not constitute a warranty or guarantee or legal advice regarding a reader’s specific immigration case. No attorney-client relationship is and shall be established with any reader.

For any questions, comments and observations, please contact Atty. Marco Tomakin at [email protected]