The NBI Clearance
by Mareeyah on September 21st, 2011
filed under Jobs, Philippines, Political Science, Travel, current events
As I have discovered, it’s quite a challenge to get an NBI clearance nowadays. Since NBI has upgraded its system, the new process has become confusing and annoying, especially these days, when everyone’s still adjusting to the new system.
It was even more challenging for me, being overseas and all. I actually had to take a three-day leave from work, just to accomplish the form.
So, how did I go about preparing my NBI clearance application while here in Melbourne? Here’s what happened (so Monk-ish!):
1. I surfed online and came across NBI’s website, specifically its FAQ page (the direct link of which is nowhere to be found on the NBI’s home page, so if you’re not so smart in surfing the net, you’d be lost right at the NBI’s home page).
2. I learned that I needed to prepare:
- an accomplished NBI form (further explanation later)
- latest 2×2 photograph with white background
- scanned or photo copy of your passport
- scanned or photo copy of two IDs, which can be either of the following:
—- Voter’s I.D.
—- Postal I.D.
—- SSS I.D.
—- GSIS I.D.
—- PRC License
—- Driver’s License
—- Company I.D.
—- School I.D.
—- Valid Passport
—- ACR (for aliens)
—- Senior Citizen I.D.
—- Philhealth I.D.
- letter of authorization for a relative or friend who will follow up your application in the Philippines.
3. If I choose to send my application directly to the NBI Head Office in Taft Avenue, Ermita, Metro Manila, I would also have to get an international bank draft or money order in the amount of Php200.
4. I learned that I could get an NBI form from the Philippine Consulate, which is located at Suite 1205, No. 1 Queens Road, Melbourne, Victoria. The Consulate office is open only on Mondays and Fridays (Thursdays by appointment only), from 10am to 4pm.
5. I rang the Consulate office at (61-3) 9863 – 7885 / 9863 – 7887, and inquired what I needed to do/bring for my NBI Clearance processing. They informed me that I just needed to go there and get an NBI form (no fee), go to the Police for fingerprinting (no fee), then return to the Consulate with the accomplished and fingerprinted form, for more stamping and signing by the Consulate, plus to pay a fee of Au$45.00.
6. I was also advised by the Consulate that I needed to call 1300-881-596 to make an appointment at Victoria Police for fingerprinting. Booking an appointment is a must. You cannot just march in there and expect to be fingerprinted. As of last week, they are fully booked until December. So very luckily for me, there was a person who canceled his/her appointment, so I was able to book on that person’s slot.
7. After fixing my schedules, I was off to the Consulate office to get an NBI form. I took a train to Flinders Street Station, then crossed half of Swanston Street to the tram stop, took a tram to St. Kilda area, got off at stop 21, and walked to Queens Road, to the building where the Philippine Consulate was.
8. Upon arriving at the consulate office, I had to fill up a little form, just to let them know I was there and what I was there for. The friendly people in that office gave me an NBI form (which you have to get from there, it cannot be emailed to you) and a sheet of instructions.
9. I got home and filled up the form.
10. On the day of my fingerprinting appointment, I left home a few hours early. VicPol is very strict about the times of appointment, so you must not be late for your appointment. Off I went to:
Victoria Police Customer Service Centre
Lower Concourse Level, World Trade Centre
637 Flinders Street
DOCKLANDS, VIC
Again, I took the train from my home suburb, and got off at Southern Cross station. From there, I just walked about a couple of blocks to the Police. I took the overpass towards the World Trade Center. I took a different route after that, but I think you can just walk all the way of the overpass and I think it goes directly to the Lower Concourse Level and you won’t have to go up or down. If you’re lost, it won’t hurt to ask somebody there for directions. The fingerprinting area isn’t that hard to find actually. I got there 30 minutes early, so 10 minutes before the time I booked for, I was actually done with fingerprinting! 
11. After fingerprinting, I went back to the Consulate on the very next day that it was open. They got my 2×2 photo, attached it to the form, stamped a few marks on it, had it signed by the Consul. At that time, I had to pay $45.00.
12. With my accomplished NBI form, I also enclosed a photocopy of my passport, a photocopy of my SSS ID card, a photocopy of my driver’s license, another 2×2 photo with white background, a passport-size photo (just in case NBI didn’t like the other photo…a back up is always good), and an authorization letter, and had this bunch of documents registered mailed to my husband in the Philippines, who’s sweet enough to process my application on my behalf. Registering the mail is a must, because if you’re a Filipino, you’ll know how the postal services in the Philippines cannot be trusted. I know, I’ve got a couple of mails sent to my hubby, who never received them. 
13. As I’m doing now, take a deep breath, relax, pray that your application would be successful, keep calm and blog on, while you wait for your clearance to magically appear at your doorstep in a few weeks.
