If you are applying to come to Canada from the Philippines — through the IEC working holiday, a work or study permit, or permanent residence (Express Entry, Provincial Nominee, or family sponsorship) — Canadian immigration (IRCC) will require a police certificate. For time spent in the Philippines, that police certificate is the NBI Clearance. This guide explains when IRCC requires it, how to time it to your application, whether you need an apostille, and how to obtain it without flying home.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires a police certificate from each country or territory where an applicant has lived for six months or more since the age of 18. The certificate is used to confirm admissibility — that the applicant has no criminal record that would bar entry.
For anyone who has lived in the Philippines for that qualifying period, the accepted police certificate is the NBI Clearance, issued in English by the National Bureau of Investigation. Because it is already in English, no translation is needed for Canadian submissions.
The International Experience Canada (IEC) program and other work permit streams may require a police certificate as part of the application or before the permit is issued. If your stream requires it, upload the NBI Clearance with your application. Check your specific pool's document checklist, as requirements vary.
Many study permit applications request a police certificate, especially for longer programs or when transitioning toward post-graduation work and PR. The NBI Clearance covers the Philippine residence requirement.
A police certificate is mandatory for permanent residence. Express Entry (FSW, CEC, FST), Provincial Nominee Programs, and family sponsorship all require the NBI Clearance for Philippine residence. This is the most time-sensitive category because of the 60-day submission window after an Invitation to Apply.
The NBI Clearance is valid for one year from its issue date, and getting the timing right is critical — especially for Express Entry.
| Application | When to obtain the NBI Clearance |
|---|---|
| Express Entry (after ITA) | Right after the Invitation to Apply — you have 60 days to submit |
| Provincial Nominee (PNP) | When preparing the PR application after nomination |
| Family sponsorship | During document preparation; must be valid at submission |
| IEC / work permit | When the application or port-of-entry stage requires it |
| Study permit | During application assembly if requested on the checklist |
For Express Entry, the classic mistake is obtaining the certificate months before receiving an ITA — it may expire before you submit. If that happens, simply renew the NBI Clearance online once you have your ITA.
Received your ITA? Get your NBI Clearance obtained and delivered within the 60-day window.
Ask about Express Entry timing →IRCC generally accepts the NBI Clearance without a DFA apostille. The standard process is to upload a scanned copy of the clearance with your online application. Keep the original document available in case it is requested at a later stage or at a port of entry.
If your specific situation calls for authentication, our apostille guide explains the DFA process. For most Canadian applications, however, an apostille is not needed — follow your official IRCC document checklist.
A HIT occurs when the NBI database finds a record with a name matching yours — usually a coincidence with another person who has a case on file. It triggers a secondary identity review that can add one to several weeks. Because Canadian deadlines (especially the 60-day Express Entry window) are fixed, obtain the clearance with buffer time. A procurement service handles the HIT affidavit and verification to speed resolution.
You do not need to return to the Philippines. If you have a previous NBI record:
If you have never applied for an NBI Clearance, biometric registration may be required — a service can advise on the available options.
Canada's Provincial Nominee Programs allow individual provinces to select immigrants based on local labour market needs. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to an Express Entry profile — virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply. Several provinces actively recruit Filipinos:
Obtain your NBI Clearance while your Express Entry profile is active in the pool — not after you receive the ITA. A HIT delay could push you past the 60-day deadline.
Yes — IRCC requires a police certificate from each country you lived in for six months or more since age 18. For the Philippines, that is the NBI Clearance. It is mandatory for PR and often required for work permits, study permits, and IEC.
If your IEC pool or work permit stream requires a police certificate, the NBI Clearance satisfies it. Requirements vary by stream — check your specific application instructions and document checklist.
Generally no. IRCC accepts the NBI Clearance without a DFA apostille; you usually upload a scan. Keep the original available in case it is requested.
Right after your Invitation to Apply, since you have 60 days to submit the full PR application. Getting it too early risks expiry; too late risks missing the deadline. Renew online if an earlier copy has expired.
Yes. With a previous NBI record, it can be renewed online and shipped internationally, with a digital copy for upload. A representative or service handles pickup and delivery. No return trip needed for most applicants.
No. Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention in January 2023, but IRCC does not require a DFA apostille for immigration or IEC applications. Submit the NBI Clearance as issued — no apostille or notarisation is needed. Ordering one wastes time and money for Canada applications specifically.
An Invitation to Apply (ITA) in Express Entry gives you 60 calendar days to submit a complete application including all police certificates. A HIT on the NBI Clearance can add 2–4 weeks. If you wait until after the ITA to start the NBI Clearance process, you risk missing the deadline. Start the clearance while your Express Entry profile is active — not after receiving the ITA.
Renew the NBI Clearance and upload the new one to your IRCC Secure Portal. You do not need to wait for IRCC to request it — proactively replacing an expired police certificate is acceptable. Renewal can be done entirely from Canada: a representative or service handles pickup in the Philippines and ships the original to your Canadian address, or provides a digital copy for upload.
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario have the largest Filipino communities and the most active PNP streams. Alberta and BC are particularly active in healthcare recruitment. Manitoba's MPNP has targeted draws for Filipino workers already employed in the province. A Provincial Nomination adds 600 CRS points to an Express Entry profile — one of the most reliable pathways to Canadian PR.
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