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Re-acquiring your Philippine citizenship under Republic Act 9225 (Dual Citizenship Act)? Here is what you need to know about the NBI clearance requirement for your application.

What Is RA 9225?

Republic Act 9225, also known as the Citizenship Retention and Re-Acquisition Act of 2003, allows natural-born Filipinos who have become citizens of another country to re-acquire their Philippine citizenship. This is commonly referred to as “dual citizenship,” though technically the Philippines considers it “retention” of citizenship.

For Filipinos who became Canadian citizens, RA 9225 allows you to hold both Canadian and Philippine citizenship simultaneously.

Is NBI Clearance Required for RA 9225?

Yes. The Philippine consulate or embassy requires an NBI clearance as part of the RA 9225 application. This is to verify that you do not have any criminal records in the Philippines. The NBI clearance must be current — typically issued within the past 6 to 12 months, depending on the consulate.

Other Documents Required for RA 9225

In addition to NBI clearance, you will typically need:

• Birth certificate (PSA-authenticated)
• Certificate of Naturalization or Canadian citizenship certificate
• Valid passport (Canadian)
• Passport-sized photos
• Oath of Allegiance (taken at the Philippine consulate)
• Marriage certificate (if applicable, PSA-authenticated)

Requirements may vary slightly between consulates. Always confirm with the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, Vancouver, or Calgary before your appointment.

How to Get NBI Clearance for Your RA 9225 Application

Since you are in Canada, you can get your NBI clearance through our service without returning to the Philippines:

1. Submit your application through our secure online form
2. If this is your first NBI clearance (or your biometrics are not on file), you will need ink and roll fingerprints on NBI Form No. 5
3. We process your application with NBI Manila
4. Receive your NBI clearance at your Canadian address or at our Toronto office

Why Filipinos in Canada Use Our Service for RA 9225

• Convenience — No need to travel to the Philippines or deal with NBI directly
• Speed — We know the process and handle it efficiently (2-3 weeks for renewals)
• HIT handling — If your name triggers an NBI HIT, we resolve it for you
• One less thing to worry about — RA 9225 already involves multiple documents and consulate appointments. Let us handle the NBI portion.

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Preparing for your RA 9225 application? Get your NBI clearance started today so it is ready when you need it. See our pricing page for fees and processing times.

If you are a Filipino applying for Canadian permanent residence (PR), you will almost certainly need an NBI clearance as part of your application. Here is everything you need to know about the NBI clearance requirement for IRCC applications.

Why IRCC Requires NBI Clearance

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires police certificates from every country where you have lived for six months or more since turning 18. For Filipino applicants, this means obtaining an NBI clearance from the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation.

This requirement applies to most PR pathways, including:

• Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades)
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) — Ontario, BC, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, etc.
• Spousal/Family Sponsorship
• Atlantic Immigration Program
• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
• Caregiver pathways

When to Get Your NBI Clearance

Timing matters. IRCC requires that your police certificate be issued no more than six months before the date you submit your PR application. If your NBI clearance is older than six months at the time of submission, IRCC will reject it and ask for a new one — which can delay your application significantly.

NBI Clearance vs Police Clearance — Which One Does IRCC Need?

IRCC specifically requires the NBI clearance (issued by the National Bureau of Investigation) for Filipino applicants — not a police clearance from your local Philippine police station. These are two different documents. For a full comparison, see our guide: NBI Clearance vs Police Clearance.

How to Get NBI Clearance While in Canada

If you are already in Canada (as a temporary resident, worker, student, or refugee claimant), you can get your NBI clearance without returning to the Philippines. Our complete guide covers the full process, but here is the summary:

1. Apply through NBI Renewal Canada — submit your application online
2. Get ink and roll fingerprints on NBI Form No. 5 (for first-time applicants)
3. We handle submission to NBI Manila and follow up on processing
4. Receive your NBI clearance at your Canadian address (or pick up at our Toronto office)

Typical processing time: 2-3 weeks for renewals, 4-6 weeks for first-time applications. See processing times for more detail.

What If I Get an NBI HIT?

An NBI HIT does not mean your PR application is doomed. Most HITs are caused by common Filipino names matching records in the NBI database — not actual criminal records. If you get a HIT, we handle the resolution process for you. Learn more: What is an NBI HIT?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an old NBI clearance for my PR application?

Only if it was issued within the last 6 months. IRCC requires police certificates dated no more than 6 months before your application submission date.

Do I need NBI clearance if I left the Philippines as a child?

If you lived in the Philippines for 6+ months after turning 18, yes. If you left before age 18 and never returned for an extended period, you may not need it — but check with your immigration lawyer or IRCC directly.

My Express Entry ITA deadline is approaching. Can you expedite?

Contact us immediately. We understand the time pressure of Express Entry invitations and will do everything possible to expedite your application. NBI renewals (biometrics already on file) are fastest at 2-3 weeks.

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Applying for Canadian PR? Start your NBI clearance application now — we respond within 1 business day. See our pricing for transparent fees with no hidden charges.

Applied for your NBI clearance and wondering where it is? Here is how to check the status of your NBI clearance application online — whether you applied directly through the NBI website or through a service like ours.

Checking Your Status on the NBI Website

The NBI has an online portal where you can check the status of your clearance application. Here is how:

1. Go to the NBI Clearance website — Visit the official NBI clearance portal at clearance.nbi.gov.ph
2. Log in to your account — Use the email address and password you registered with
3. Navigate to “My Transactions” — This section shows all your clearance applications
4. Check the status column — Your application will show one of several statuses (see below)

Understanding NBI Clearance Status Messages

Status	What It Means
For Processing	Your application has been received and is in the queue. No action needed — just wait.
For Verification	Your information is being verified against NBI records. This is normal and part of the process.
HIT	Your name matched a record in the NBI database. This does not necessarily mean you have a criminal record — learn more about NBI HITs.
For Release	Your clearance is ready and waiting to be picked up or delivered.
Released / Delivered	Your clearance has been released or sent out for delivery.
Expired	Your application expired before completion. You may need to reapply.

If You Applied Through NBI Renewal Canada

If you used our service, you do not need to check the NBI website yourself. We track every application and provide status updates directly to you via email. If your clearance encounters a HIT, we handle the resolution process on your behalf.

Have questions about your application status? Contact us — we are happy to provide an update.

Common Reasons for Delays

• NBI HIT — If your name matches a record, additional verification is needed. This can add 2-4 weeks. Learn how we resolve HITs.
• High volume periods — NBI processes millions of clearances per year. Expect slower processing during January (new year rush) and June-August (employment season).
• Incomplete information — If your application has missing or incorrect details, it may be flagged for review.
• System maintenance — The NBI website occasionally goes down for maintenance, which can delay processing.

Typical Processing Times

For a detailed breakdown of how long NBI clearance takes, see our processing time guide. In general:

• NBI Renewal (from abroad): 2-3 weeks
• First-Time Application (from abroad): 4-6 weeks
• HIT Resolution: Additional 2-4 weeks

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Need help with your NBI clearance? Apply through us — we handle the entire process and keep you updated every step of the way. No need to monitor the NBI website yourself.