Philippines
If you now live in Canada and previously lived, worked, or studied in Philippines,
many immigration, employment, and licensing processes will ask you for a Philippines Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
in addition to your Canadian one. Getting fingerprinted correctly is usually the first step. This guide walks through how that works
while you’re based in Canada, and how Surrey Fingerprint Company can help with the fingerprinting part.
Visit Surrey Fingerprint Company for professional, correctly-formatted fingerprints for your Philippines police clearance
application. Email info@surreyfingerprint.com
beforehand so we can confirm the exact form and format Philippine Consulate General (consularizes NBI Form No. 5, then submits to the National Bureau of Investigation, Manila) currently requires.
Why Would Someone in Canada Need a Philippines PCC?
- Canadian immigration & citizenship (IRCC): if you lived in Philippines for 6 months or more before moving to Canada, IRCC may require a police certificate from Philippines as part of permanent residency, sponsorship, or citizenship applications.
- Immigration to a third country: if you are applying to move from Canada to another country (e.g. Australia, the UK, the US, or elsewhere), that country’s character/background check requirements often ask for a clearance from every country you’ve lived in for an extended period, including Philippines.
- Employment & licensing: some regulated professions and international employers request a background check covering your time in Philippines.
- Legal, banking, or property matters: some processes back in Philippines may themselves ask you to complete identity verification via fingerprints while abroad.
The General Process From Canada
Because you’re applying from outside Philippines, the typical path is: get fingerprinted locally in Canada in the exact
format Philippine Consulate General (consularizes NBI Form No. 5, then submits to the National Bureau of Investigation, Manila) accepts, then send that fingerprint record to them along with the rest of your
application package.
Contact Philippines’s issuing authority first
Confirm the current application form, required fingerprint format, fee, and mailing/submission method directly with
Philippine Consulate General (consularizes NBI Form No. 5, then submits to the National Bureau of Investigation, Manila) — requirements can change, so always check before your appointment.
Get fingerprinted at Surrey Fingerprint Company
Bring valid photo ID and any required form. The fingerprint format usually requested for a Philippines PCC is:
Ink-and-Roll Fingerprinting (Paper Card). We offer both ink-and-roll and digital fingerprinting on-site.
We complete your card correctly
We take your fingerprints on the correct form, complete any required identity/witness sections, and provide the card or
document ready to send.
Send your package to Philippines
Mail or submit your fingerprint card along with your application form, ID copies, photos, and fee (as required) to
Philippine Consulate General (consularizes NBI Form No. 5, then submits to the National Bureau of Investigation, Manila). Use a tracked courier for original documents.
First get the NBI Form No. 5 (Fingerprint Card) from your nearest Philippine Consulate/Embassy, in person or by mail with a self-addressed prepaid return envelope — this form has a unique barcode and cannot be photocopied or downloaded. Have your fingerprints (rolled impressions) taken either at the Consulate itself, or by an RCMP officer / RCMP-accredited fingerprinting provider (such as Surrey Fingerprint Company). Whoever takes the prints must sign, state their official designation, and stamp the form (and stamp the seal on the attached photo). Submit the completed Form No. 5 with two 2"x2" photos and a passport data page copy to the Consulate in person or by mail for consularization; the Consulate then forwards it toward the NBI in Manila. Confirm current consulate fees before your appointment.
Mailing address:
Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, 889 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC (or nearest Philippine Consulate/Embassy in Canada)
Receive your Philippines PCC
Processing time is Consularization at the Consulate can be same-day (rush fee) or a few business days; full NBI clearance from Manila commonly takes several weeks — confirm current timelines. Some authorities mail the certificate directly to your Canadian
address; others may require pickup via a consulate or representative.
Source: Official guidance for Philippines. Requirements can change; always confirm current details on the official page before applying.
the current requirement before your appointment so you don’t need to redo it.
clearance applications can change without notice. Always confirm current requirements directly with
Philippine Consulate General (consularizes NBI Form No. 5, then submits to the National Bureau of Investigation, Manila) before your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get fingerprinted in Surrey for a Philippines PCC?
Yes. Surrey Fingerprint Company offers both ink-and-roll and digital fingerprinting, and can prepare your fingerprint card or document in the format most commonly requested for Philippines applications. Contact us to confirm the exact form before your visit.
How long does it take to get a PCC from Philippines while living in Canada?
Timelines vary widely by country and by how the application is submitted. As a general estimate: Consularization at the Consulate can be same-day (rush fee) or a few business days; full NBI clearance from Manila commonly takes several weeks — confirm current timelines. Confirm current processing times with the issuing authority.
Do I need an original fingerprint card, or is a scan acceptable?
This depends on Philippines's current requirements — some authorities require original ink cards mailed physically, others accept digital submissions. We'll help you confirm which applies before you leave our office.
Can Surrey Fingerprint Company submit my application to Philippines for me?
We handle the fingerprinting step. Submission of the full application package is generally your responsibility (or your immigration consultant/lawyer's), unless otherwise noted for a specific country.
Get Fingerprinted for Your Philippines PCC — Surrey, BC
Email us before your visit so we can confirm the correct form and format for Philippines.
+1 (604) 825-8882 · info@surreyfingerprint.com