Philippine Police Clearance Required for Former 47(a)(2) Visa Holders Ordered to Leave the Country

Foreign nationals whose Philippine Export Zone Authority 47(a)(2) visas have been downgraded to 9(a) visitor visas and who consequently are required to leave the Philippines must now submit a police clearance issued by the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI clearance) before the immigration authorities can grant an Order to Leave. The Bureau of Immigration is requiring an NBI clearance in order to ascertain that the foreign national being ordered to leave has no criminal liability and his or her presence is not legally required in any pending criminal action in the Philippines. The requirement does not apply to foreign nationals under 15 years old. Applicants are required to appear in person before the NBI to obtain the clearance.