Filipinos abroad often need an NBI clearance — the Philippines’ certificate that you have no criminal record — for immigration to Canada or Australia, a new job, or a UAE family visa. You cannot walk into an NBI office from Dubai, so the process has three parts: get your fingerprints on NBI Form No. 5 here, sign a Special Power of Attorney for someone in the Philippines, and have that person file it with the NBI.
Checked on 21 October 2026 against the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai. Sources at the end.
At a glance
| Form | NBI Form No. 5 (fingerprint card) |
| Fingerprints taken by | Philippine Consulate General Dubai (by appointment), or UAE police/CID with official seal and signature |
| Authorisation | Special Power of Attorney for your representative in the Philippines, signed at the Consulate |
| Appointment | Notarial appointment portal; no walk-ins |
| Who files with NBI | Your representative in the Philippines |
Two ways to get your fingerprints taken
Option 1: at the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai
Book a slot on the Consulate’s notarial appointment portal. Bring:
- Completed NBI Form No. 5 (available at the Consulate reception).
- Two copies of a completed Special Power of Attorney naming your representative in the Philippines.
- One 2×2 ID photo with a white background, attached to the form.
- Three copies of your passport identification page.
A Consulate processor takes your fingerprints. You must sign in person in front of a consular officer.
Option 2: at a UAE police station
You can have UAE police or CID take your fingerprints on NBI Form No. 5. The form must carry the office seal and the officer’s signature. Attach a 2×2 photo. You still need the Special Power of Attorney for your representative, notarised at the Consulate.
Step by step
- Choose your representative in the Philippines — a family member or friend who can visit the NBI.
- Book an appointment at the Consulate (notarial services).
- Get fingerprinted on NBI Form No. 5 and sign the SPA in front of the consular officer.
- Send the originals by courier to your representative: the fingerprint card, the SPA and passport copies.
- Your representative files it at the NBI Clearance Center and pays the fee there.
- Receive the clearance by courier. If you need it for another country, ask your representative to have it apostilled by the DFA before sending it.
Common uses in the UAE
- Immigration abroad: Canada, Australia and New Zealand ask for police certificates from every country you have lived in, including the Philippines. See UAE police clearance for immigration for the UAE side.
- Jobs: some UAE employers and licensing bodies, especially in health and education, ask for a home-country police certificate.
- Apostille: documents used outside the Philippines usually need a DFA apostille. Check what the receiving country or employer asks for.
Mistakes to avoid
- Paying a fixer for a “fast” clearance. The Consulate warns that fake or tampered documents are seized and holders can be prosecuted.
- Smudged fingerprints. A rejected card means starting again.
- Forgetting that NBI clearances are valid for a limited time. Time your application to the deadline of the visa or job you need it for.
Questions people ask
Can I get an NBI clearance online from Dubai?
Not fully. Applicants abroad need fingerprints on NBI Form No. 5 and a representative in the Philippines to file it.
Can Dubai Police take my fingerprints for the NBI?
Yes. The Consulate accepts NBI Form No. 5 completed by UAE police or CID, if it carries the office seal and the officer’s signature.
Do I need an appointment at the Consulate?
Yes. NBI-related services are by appointment through the Consulate’s notarial appointment portal.
Related guides
- UAE police clearance certificate for immigration
- Canada PR from the UAE
- Philippine passport renewal in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Sources
- Philippine Consulate General in Dubai — NBI clearance: dubaipcg.dfa.gov.ph
- National Bureau of Investigation: nbi.gov.ph
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 21 October 2026. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com — it gets fixed and logged.