NBI Clearance or Police Clearance

[farida 5]

Hi all,

I am a spouse of a U.S. Citizen and I submitted my NBI clearance to NVC because I read from the forums that an NBI clearance is required in lieu of a locally issued police clearance. Honestly, the NBI clearance looks "more official" than a police clearance you get from a local police station. However, I got a letter back from NVC stating that I should submit a police clearance. Which is which? And should I get a police clearance then for all the places I lived in the Philippines?

Thanks for any reply!

Maya

[Drlong 1]

Hi Maya,

I can only tell you that my wife only submitted a NBI clearance and was never asked for any local police clearances from the NVC, her case was completed on July 5th. Maybe have your husband call the NVC and speak to someone about why they are asking for these and see if he can straighten it out over the phone. In the mean time I would go ahead and start collecting police clearances just in case you do have to send them in so there are no delays with your case. Good luck.........

Dave and Grace

[Aeris21410 7]

I only submitted NBI clearance. Did you (or your husband) called NVC to verify if they received the NBI? They probably thought it's missing - it happens a lot when your papers reached NVC (documents are always missing). Did you also check if the NBI you submitted is a current one (not expired)?

[yhang 20]

I only submitted NBI clearance too and we did not have any problem at NVC stage. Better try to call NVC to verify if they got your NBI.

[joyjohn 18]

we only gave them the NBI also........was you ever a OFW, or lived anywhere other than the PH, for 6 mons or more??

[Scott and Mhay 57]

my guess is that you lived outside the PI for more than 1 year for a CR-1 visa.

8. OTHER COUNTRY POLICE CERTIFICATES. Applicants aged 16 years and older must also present police certificates from other countries where they have lived for one (1) year or more after reaching the age of 16. As with NBI clearances, foreign police certificates should be obtained in any maiden names, aliases or nicknames used while in the country in question, including different spellings you have used of those names. Country-specific information on how to secure police certificates is available on the State Departments web site at http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html.

this is found in packet IV here: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/19452/public/Packet%204%20_appointment%20packet_%20English%20rtf%20_revised%20GSS_%20_2__004.pdf

If you have only lived in the PI for all your life the NBI is only good for one year according to the packet IV:

7. NBI CLEARANCE. Applicants aged 16 years and older must have a valid Record Clearance for Travel Abroad Purposes from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Clearances should be in

the applicants current name, birth certificate name, maiden name and any aliases or nicknames used, including different spellings you have used of those names. For immigration purposes, an NBI clearance is valid for one (1) year from the date it was issued.

Edited July 8, 2011 by Scott and Mhay

[magdasal 19]

Hi all,

I am a spouse of a U.S. Citizen and I submitted my NBI clearance to NVC because I read from the forums that an NBI clearance is required in lieu of a locally issued police clearance. Honestly, the NBI clearance looks "more official" than a police clearance you get from a local police station. However, I got a letter back from NVC stating that I should submit a police clearance. Which is which? And should I get a police clearance then for all the places I lived in the Philippines?

Thanks for any reply!

Maya

You or your spouse need to call the NVC and verify what they are asking for. As far as I know, the NBI clearance covers you no matter where you lived in the Philippines. Several things may be happening here...1) NVC lost your NBI...2) NBI is expired (only good for 1 year) 3) NVC lags...that is, they don't always acknowlege the documents you send and need to be reminded that you sent them and they have them 4) The NVC has gotten your case mixed up and think you are applying from a county other than the Philippines.

Bottom line...call and confirm with them what is going on...then you can decide what to do next.

[farida 5]

thanks everyone! NBI clearance was the only thing required. Got approved today! yay!