How to Get NBI Clearance in Malaysia

Overseas Filipinos in Malaysia should not worry about filing for important government documents, including an NBI clearance. You might wonder how this is so. Well, the good news is that most document applications can now be filed online. So even if you are based in Malaysia or anywhere in the world for that matter, there is a way to get things done, especially your NBI clearance application.  If you’re interested to learn how to accomplish this, make sure to read until the end of this guide.

OFWs will find the process of filing an NBI clearance as simple as possible, thanks to the efforts of the Philippine government in making this procedure as seamless and digitally accessible as possible. If you’re ready to get started, let’s get right to it!

Guide to Renewing an NBI Clearance in Malaysia

Aside from being a requirement for employment, there are various reasons Filipinos get NBI clearance while they’re not in the Philippines. To discover what these are, make sure to read the following sections.

What is NBI Clearance?

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance is a document that shows if you have been involved in criminal activities. It mainly serves as a way for the government to check the credibility of the individuals who have received the clearance. It can be likened to a certificate of good conduct, which is issued by some state agencies and organizations.

What are the uses of the multi-purpose NBI clearance?

Based on its name, the multi-purpose NBI clearance serves a number of functions. Here are some of them.

• Employment: In the Philippines, many companies require that job applicants present their NBI clearance before they can hire. This is to make sure that they don’t have any violations or crimes.
• Making changes in Legal Documents: If your legal document has errors, such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate, you can use your NBI clearance to help make changes.
• Proof of Identity: The NBI clearance is a government-recognized ID that can be used to secure various government transactions. It’s also used to secure a variety of driver’s licenses and firearms licenses.
• Traveling Abroad: Like applying for a job, you’ll also need an NBI clearance if you’re planning on leaving the country for any reason.

The NBI clearance can help you secure a visa to visit the US, Australia, China, and other countries. It also allows you to apply for a visa for your stay in these countries.

• Verifying Your Coins.ph.account: While this may be new to some people, certain (financial) apps such as Coins.ph require the use of NBI clearance for verification purposes. If you’re trying to increase your cash-in limit in Coins.ph.account, then you need to make sure that you have an NBI clearance. This will prevent you from withdrawing money from your account. Although the NBI clearance is only required for one type of ID, you can still use other types of IDs to get it.

Where Can I Get NBI Clearance Abroad?

NBI clearance can be obtained at the nearest Philippine Embassy or consulate-general office in your host country. A Philippine embassy is a place of representation for the Philippines in another country. It serves as a venue for the host country to communicate with the Philippine officials.

A Philippine consulate general office is the public administration unit of the Philippines in another country. Its main function is to serve the interests of the Filipinos living in that country, among other functions, including:

• Ensure that your documents are secure and reliable, you should regularly renew and establish Philippine passports and other official government documents.
• Report the details of your personal life in the country where it happened, such as your marriage or divorce, you should regularly visit the local government’s website.
• Inform its citizens living abroad about the country’s social security situation.
• Handle the various formalities and control for its citizens who are bound to military service.
• Help citizens in times of distress.
• Monitor the rule of law and ensure the safety and welfare of their citizens.
• Establish entry visas and provide information about the various immigration and work permits available in the country.

IMPORTANT: Before you apply for an NBI clearance, it’s best to contact the Philippine Consulate General’s office to confirm whether they need an appointment. This will allow you to avoid wasting your time going to the office just because you failed to secure an appointment.

Requirements

In countries outside the Philippines, the requirements for NBI clearance are different from those in the country. Do note, however, that some foreign posts still do not accept online applications, but process NBI clearance applications manually. Fortunately, for those in Malaysia, the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur now accepts online applications for this document by simply sending an email to the embassy.

• Two pieces of your recent 2×2 photograph/id picture, with white background – You will be asked to write your name and signature on the back of your photo ID. Just make sure to ask any NBI clearance personnel for clarification.
• An NBI Clearance fingerprint card application form – NBI Form No. 5 is an application form that every applicant must complete. It contains personal information such as your full name, date of birth, and place of birth. To get this form, make sure you are registered at the NBI Clearance website or you may request it on-site at the nearest Philippine foreign post in your country.

TIP: If you’re filling out a form, make sure to leave no blank space. Instead of leaving any field with the required information, just type Not Applicable or N/A on the field.

In some cases, the fingerprinting process can be done by the local police office in your host country.

• A Valid Identification ID (Original & Photocopy): Most of the time, an OFW will present their valid ID when applying for a visa. The best way to prove that is their Philippine passport.

Before you apply for an NBI clearance, make sure that you bring your Philippine passport. It will allow the NBI to check the authenticity of your documents. It’s also recommended that you bring another valid ID such as a driver’s license or a Social Security card.

Fees

In the Philippines, the multi-purpose NBI clearance costs PHP 170. However, this price may vary from one country to another. Thus, make sure to inquire with the Philippine foreign post regarding this information.

Procedure

Though you applied for NBI clearance overseas, the process will still be handled in the Philippines. Also, applicants have two options for this transaction:

Option 1: Your NBI clearance form No.5 along with your Special Power of Attorney, Authorization Letter, and 2×2 photo should be sent to your authorized person in the Philippines to process at the NBI’s main office at Taft Avenue, Manila. You’re also required to submit the necessary documents and pay for the clearance.

Option 2: You can get your NBI clearance done through the Philippine Consulate or any other Philippine official. Just send a Money Order to the designated person and pay the required fees.

Video:

Here’s a quick video outlining to the step-by-the process of filing an application for NBI clearance abroad. The process is quite simple; you just need to gather all the required documents and submit them to the Philippine foreign post in your country either in-person or thru email. Once your application has been received and approved, you will need to settle the consular fee for this transaction, which varies per country, so be sure to confirm it with the consular officials upon submitting your request. You will be given a receipt or a reference number for the transaction and you just have to wait for your document to be released and for further instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out these FAQs about NBI Clearance application in Malaysia:

1. I still have a copy of my old NBI clearance. Should I still get NBI Form No. 5 (fingerprint form)?

If your old NBI clearance expired before the end of 2014, or it was issued after the beginning of 2013, then you don’t need to get the NBI Form 5. However, if you need to update something in your personal data, such as your name and address, then you should get the Form 5  to update your details.

2. I will be applying through an authorized representative. Do I need to authenticate the Letter of Authorization?

You do not need to authenticate or alter the content of the authorization letter. However, if you have already authenticated it before you read this article, then you should still submit it.

3. I will be applying for NBI clearance via mail. Is there a particular courier service I should use?

The NBI doesn’t prefer any courier service. Instead, its Mailed Clearance section allows its users to send their documents through any courier or shipping service provider near them.

4. I’m renewing my NBI clearance but I’m based abroad. Can I just use the NBI Online Quick Renewal with a door-to-door delivery service instead?

Although it’s very convenient to renew your NBI clearance online, it’s only available to residents of the Philippines.

Even if you try to renew your NBI clearance online, it’s very likely that you will be rejected due to the following reasons:

• The online renewal process is only for the NBI clearance that was issued in 2016.
• The online renewal process is only for those who have not changed their personal information.
• The NBI Mailed Clearance section is not connected to the online renewal process of the Philippines.

5.      Can I send scanned copies of the requirement/s instead of the original?

In the Mailed clearance section of the NBI, you can submit scanned copies of the requirements for your documents.

However, the section doesn’t accept scanned copies of the applicants’ 2×2 pictures. That being said, your representative will need to go to a photo studio or other establishment that accepts rush I.D. pictures to get the scanned images retouched and printed on photo paper.

Summary

Applying for an NBI Clearance even when abroad is not impossible, but you will have to choose the best option for your case. Either way, these transactions can be filed easily, but waiting for your actual NBI clearance is a different matter since the verification and issuance process will happen in the Philippines, so don’t expect to get your document in a rush. Ideally, give it about one to three months for your document to arrive. So if you’re planning to get another important document requiring this document, such as your PR application, make sure to factor in the processing and then the delivery time for your NBI clearance to arrive at your doorstep. Doing so will save you a lot of stress and sleepless nights – especially if you’re waiting on a very important opportunity. As of now, filing for NBI clearance is not yet completely digital, but with the way things are going, it shouldn’t take too long for all government-issued documents to transition to online processing. This will not only benefit overseas Filipinos but even those who are far from the metro or anywhere in the world. But right now, we’ll just have to make do with the available options that we have for Filipinos abroad. Hopefully, through the help of this guide, you can file for an NBI clearance application as easy and as hassle-free as possible.

Have you tried filing for an NBI application or renewal from abroad? What was your experience like? What were the challenges that you encountered (if any)? We’d like to hear what you think! Let us know by leaving a comment in the section below. Also, if you’ve been helped by this guide, make sure to share this post with friends or family whom you think will benefit from it.

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Contact Information

Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Address:     No. 1 Changkat Kia Peng, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Telephone Nos.:     +(603) 2148-4233

Emergency No:     +(6017) 347-5487 (for non-office hours, weekends and holidays)

Fax No.:     +(603) 2148-3576

Email: klpe_malaysia@yahoo.com (Please include your contact details, including phone, if any).

Facebook:     https://www.facebook.com/PHinMalaysia

Office Hours:     Monday to Friday (9:00 am – 4:00 pm)

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