Hong Kong hosts more than 150,000 Filipino domestic workers — the largest OFW community in the city — along with skilled professionals on Employment Visas and applicants under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) and Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS). The NBI Clearance is the Philippine police certificate used in Hong Kong immigration and employment contexts. Important: Hong Kong is a SAR of China, which is not a member of the Apostille Convention. A DFA apostille is NOT accepted — the NBI Clearance must go through DFA authentication followed by HKETO or Chinese Consulate legalisation.
The Apostille Convention (Hague Convention XII) applies between member states. China is not a member of the Apostille Convention, and Hong Kong, as a Special Administrative Region of China, falls within China's jurisdiction for international treaty purposes.
This means a DFA apostille is not accepted for document submissions to Hong Kong government authorities or official use in Hong Kong. Instead, the NBI Clearance must go through the two-step process of DFA document authentication followed by legalisation at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Manila or the Chinese Consulate General in Manila.
This is the same principle that applies to Mainland China submissions — the two-step process remains the standard authentication method for Philippine documents going to Greater China.
The authentication process for Hong Kong has two steps:
This two-step process typically takes 3–6 weeks depending on DFA and HKETO/consulate appointment availability. Plan well ahead of any Hong Kong immigration deadline.
FDW Employment Visas are processed by the Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD). While ImmD handles its own security clearance, many employers and FDW agencies request an NBI Clearance as part of the pre-employment background check. Having a current NBI Clearance strengthens your application with prospective employers.
The QMAS is Hong Kong's points-based skilled migration route. ImmD requires police certificates from each country of qualifying residence. For Filipino QMAS applicants with significant Philippine residence, the NBI Clearance (DFA-authenticated + HKETO legalised) is required. Processing QMAS takes time — prepare documents early.
The TTPS targets high earners and graduates from top global universities. Immigration background checks include police certificates from qualifying countries. Filipino applicants with substantial Philippine residence will need the NBI Clearance with the full DFA + HKETO authentication.
For standard Employment Visas and Right of Abode applications, ImmD may request police certificates from all countries of qualifying residence. The NBI Clearance with full authentication is the required Philippine document.
The Philippines is the largest source of foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong, with over 150,000 Filipinos employed as household helpers under the standard FDW contract. Filipinos in Hong Kong on FDW Employment Visas are the most common group requesting the NBI Clearance for:
Need your NBI Clearance with DFA authentication and HKETO legalisation for Hong Kong?
Ask about your Hong Kong application →The NBI Clearance is valid for one year from its issue date. For Hong Kong, the full authentication process (DFA + HKETO or Chinese Consulate) adds significant time:
| Step | Estimated time |
|---|---|
| NBI Clearance issuance | 1–3 weeks (longer if HIT) |
| DFA document authentication | 1–2 weeks |
| HKETO / Chinese Consulate legalisation | 1–3 weeks |
| Total (no HIT) | ~3–8 weeks |
For QMAS/TTPS applications with submission deadlines, aim to start the process 8–10 weeks before your target submission date.
A HIT occurs when the NBI database finds a name match with an existing case — almost always a coincidence with a different person. It adds one to several weeks to the NBI issuance timeline, which then delays the entire DFA + HKETO chain. Obtain the NBI Clearance as early as possible. A procurement service handles the HIT affidavit, NBI resolution, and the subsequent authentication steps.
Foreign Domestic Helpers (FDH) in Hong Kong are governed by a Standard Employment Contract (SEC) set by the Hong Kong Immigration Department and Labour Department. Key conditions:
The NBI Clearance is required by POEA/DMW as a pre-departure document. For Hong Kong specifically, it requires DFA authentication (not apostille) followed by consular legalisation at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office or Philippine Consulate General in HK for local endorsement where applicable.
Many Filipino FDWs in Hong Kong need to renew their NBI Clearance for contract renewals or new employer applications while already working in HK:
ImmD may request a police certificate for QMAS, TTPS, Employment Visa and right of abode applications. For Filipino applicants, the NBI Clearance (with DFA authentication and HKETO/Chinese Consulate legalisation) is the required document. Many FDW employers also request it as a background check.
No. Hong Kong is part of China, which is not an Apostille Convention member. A DFA apostille is not accepted. The correct process is DFA document authentication followed by legalisation at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) or the Chinese Consulate General in Manila.
ImmD handles its own security checks for FDW Employment Visas. A separate NBI Clearance is not always a formal ImmD requirement, but many employers and agencies request it. It is particularly important for QMAS/TTPS migration applications and right of abode claims where ImmD requires official police certificates.
Plan for 3–8 weeks total: NBI issuance (1–3 weeks), DFA authentication (1–2 weeks), and HKETO/Chinese Consulate legalisation (1–3 weeks). If there is a HIT at the NBI stage, add more time. Start early — especially for QMAS or TTPS applications.
Yes. With a previous NBI record, the clearance can be renewed online and processed remotely. A procurement service handles NBI renewal, DFA authentication, HKETO legalisation and courier delivery to Hong Kong. No return trip to the Philippines needed.
As of October 2024, the Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) for Foreign Domestic Helpers (FDH) in Hong Kong is HKD 4,870 per month. The food allowance (if the employer provides money instead of meals) must be at least HKD 1,196 per month. These rates are reviewed periodically by the Hong Kong government — check the current rate with the Labour Department or the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong before signing a contract.
Yes. If you have a previous NBI record, you can renew online at nbi.gov.ph from Hong Kong. A representative or procurement service in the Philippines handles the in-person pickup, arranges DFA authentication (not apostille — Hong Kong is non-Hague), and ships the authenticated document to your Hong Kong address. Allow 5–8 weeks for the full process. No return trip to the Philippines is required.
As of recent estimates, there are approximately 190,000–200,000 Filipino Foreign Domestic Workers in Hong Kong, making the Philippines the largest source country for FDH in HK (ahead of Indonesia). The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong is one of the busiest Philippine overseas posts, handling passport renewals, OEC issuance, welfare assistance, and other consular services for this large community.
Related pages