NOTE (August 14, 2013): This is an outdated blog
entry. For the updated 2013 version, click here.
Robinsons Cybergate Cebu has an NBI Clearance Center housed on the mall's 3rd floor. Getting an NBI clearance is fast and easy - the actual processing takes only about 20-30 minutes. But, you may have to endure a very long queue which might take hours!
Queuing Up. In my case, when I arrived at around 9:45am, I had to stand in line outside the mall (through the heat and dust) for about three hours, and around another hour seated at the waiting area inside the mall (air-conditioned and more comfortable). Then, there's a final queue at the clearance center, where you will also be given a form to fill up while waiting for your turn.
Requirements. Just two requirements are needed: the duly-accomplished clearance form you filled up, and a valid ID. School IDs, company IDs, government-issued IDs (SSS, Postal, Voter's, PRC, driver's licenses) and passports are among those which will be accepted. In lieu of a valid ID, you may also present your original NSO birth certificate or police clearance (and I heard that even baptismal certificates will also do).
After your patience is tested will come the easy part. You'll undergo these four steps:
- Payment - Pay P115 for each purpose that you indicate on your clearance form.
- Encoding - Watch the monitor, and see to it that the data entered is correct.
- Biometrics - The NBI will take your picture and fingerprints.
- Releasing - If you're clear, then you can get your NBI Clearance instantly!
- NBI Clearance Center is open Mondays thru Fridays, officially from 10am to 5pm. The mall itself opens at 10am, but the security guard told us that they start operations as early as 9am.
- If you are still on the outside queue by noon break, a guard will let you write your names down on a paper. Note your number and come back by 1pm to re-queue according to the order written on paper.
- You will be given priority numbers just before entering the mall.
- Only 100 people will be allowed in the afternoon. If you're 101st, you will be told to come back the next day. (But you might probably want to try to plead your case, maybe, just maybe, they'll reconsider.)
- If your NBI record has a hit, you'll need to come back after three weeks. But the good news is: you won't need to queue again!
- For local purposes, your NBI clearance will be yellow-orange. If your purpose is to travel abroad, it will be green.
- If you're wondering, there's no more new clearance or renewal. Everyone goes through the same process.
It was already almost 4pm when I finished. After what I went through, I felt like the NBI clearance I was holding was some precious reward. I would recommend though, that if you're going to get an NBI clearance, go to the center as early as possible, so you would also finish earlier, as I would, should I need one again next time.
Update (August 14, 2013): For the current entry on how to get an NBI clearance at Robinsons Cybergate Cebu, click here.
Update (August 14, 2013): For the current entry on how to get an NBI clearance at Robinsons Cybergate Cebu, click here.
Thank you for this informative article. Might be a good idea to be there early in the morning. Did it have a separate lane for government employees? In the main NBI Office in Manila, government employees have a different lane to expedite the process since they are taking time out of their government schedule to secure the clearance.
ReplyDeleteHi Anne, I didn't notice any separate lane for government employees. However, you might want to ask the ones in-charge and maybe they'll just give you priority and you may no longer have to endure the normal queue process. :)
ReplyDeletehello JP! Im glad i read your blog about this just tonight. This is very good news because I will be leaving for abroad by the end of this month and I was told to get an NBI clearance. This is in total contrast to what my friend told me that you wud have to be back a month after to claim your NBI clearance...I will be there first hour on monday..thanks!
ReplyDeleteGlad to be of help, Redlabang! Wishing you well on getting your NBI clearance this Monday and as you leave the country later this month. :)
ReplyDeleteare they open on saturday?
ReplyDeletehello gud evening, same procedure for renewal?
ReplyDeleteHi Jerahm, they're only open from Monday to Friday. Sorry for the late reply. :)
ReplyDeleteHi nherz, yes, same procedure for renewal. Actually, as stated in the article, the terms "new application" and "renewal" are no longer used as everyone goes through the same steps. :)
ReplyDeletei went to the satellite office in Mandaluyong. you really have to go there early. i was there around 630am and there was about a hundred people already in line. it was insane. i think its better to visit the mall branches because you queue inside the mall where theres airconditioning. but be there before 6am. only the first 500 people will be processed. i hope the government can do something about this. there has to be a better way then wasting time waiting in line.
ReplyDeletewhat is this "duly-accomplished clearance form you filled up"..? :)
ReplyDeleteHi Apple. This is the form given by one of the NBI guys when you are already at the Clearance Center, where you write down the information they need. You should be able to fill it out real quick. :)
ReplyDeleteDo they allow you to get multiple clearances (for different purposes)?
ReplyDeleteYes, they allow you to get multiple clearances for different purpose. You just have to pay P115 for each clearance.
ReplyDeletetnx! very informative!
ReplyDeletehi! i would like to ask, if they have contact number at NBI Robinson's?
ReplyDeleteThanks! Very informative article. :)
ReplyDeleteIs it open on saturdays and sundays?
ReplyDeleteHi Kol, the NBI Clearance Center is only open Mondays to Fridays. :)
ReplyDeleteI did the e-clearance online registraion. Here's how I did it.
ReplyDeletehttp://fritzkareem.blogspot.com/2012/07/nbi-eclearance-bratty-guide-to-get-your.html
And here's how I completed my NBI clearance at the main office only in 29 minutes.
http://fritzkareem.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-29-minute-nbi-e-clearance-process.html
hi, is there an online processing of NBI clearance?
ReplyDeletereply
thanks
can i process an NBI e-clearance? but i am from cebu, i want it in a rush, para hindi na ako mag-hintay nang matagal, gusto ko talaga magkaroon nang NBI, para sa work, reply ASAP thanks
ReplyDeletehi, i got my new nbi clearance last may, and i cant seem to find the printed copy now. is it possible to have it reprinted? how much will it cost me? thank you.
ReplyDeleteI don't have accurate info on this matter. Better to check with NBI if they allow reprints. Otherwise, you may need to re-process as new. :)
ReplyDeleteAn NBI has an e-clearance service, but is only applicable in Manila as of the moment. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you... that is very helpful...
ReplyDeleteis Robi Cybergate NBI is for renewal only?
ReplyDeleteHi there. NBI Clearance Center at Robinsons Cybergate Cebu is both for new clearances and renewal. To be exact, as stated in the blog entry, there is no more distinction between new clearance and renewal; everyone goes through the same process. :)
ReplyDeleteThe NBI e-clearance is only available in Manila area for now. The most, NBI mentioned that they will be implementing it soon to other regions in the country.
ReplyDeletehi gud eve,,, my brother is in abroad and he wanted to renew his NBI clearance here in Cebu with our help....is it posssible? if yes..may I know how to and what are the requirements? thanks a lot
ReplyDeleteCan i get an NBI clearance using my Identification ID? I do have an old employees ID but it was expired already last Jan. 2011...Is it valid to get an NBI or just my identification ID? tnx and reply ASAP please..
ReplyDeleteCan I also use my xerox passport to get an NBI clearance? if so that would be great...thanks
ReplyDeleteI reckon they would look for your actual passport and not just a photocopy.
ReplyDeleteYou need a valid ID, which means the ID should not be expired yet. If you have even just one other valid ID, that should already be sufficient for your NBI clearance.
ReplyDeleteI have recently acquired nbi clearance last sept 2012 and my employer required a newly 2013 issued nbi clearance so I have to get a new one. My question is that the last time I got "Hit" and have my clearance 2-3 weeks later, but this time, will I ever get 'Hit' again? I hope not, 3 weeks is very long enough, and I badly need this clearance ASAP. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI may not be in the best position to answer this question. But I'll try anyway. There's a possibility that you will still have that Hit on your record.
ReplyDeleteI know some DOST scholars that get Hit and they have to present their DOST certification every time they need a clearance. (But this is a few years back and the situation might have already changed recently.)
Just hope that the Hit has already been (permanently) removed from your NBI record this time, so you won't have to endure the two to three-week wait.
Hope I've answered your question somehow. And if others who are reading this can fill us in and give a more definite answer, please do so to shed some light on this matter. Thanks. :)
Hello.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I'd like to ask if they prioritizete seniors when processing the NBI clearance?
Appreciate your prompt response.
paano kung ma hit makakuha din ba ng clearance sa robinson?
ReplyDeleteYes, you can still get your clearance at Robinsons Cybergate kahit na hit ka. Pero di mo makukuha agad at bibigyan ka nila ng instructions kung kailan ka pababalikin. :)
ReplyDeleteSir JP, You mentioned something about the NBI e-clearance with your roster of comments months ago. Certainly, those getting their NBI Clearances in Manila are already in a jumping spree for a more convenient processing. For June 2013, Is it already installed here in Cebu? Thanks for your answer, sir. :)
ReplyDeletevery helpful, I'll be going there tomorrow to get NBI clearance. thanks!
ReplyDeletenope, "Hit" is not permanently removed even if you had previously processed the first time even with the DOST certification. Unless the DOST scholar have already cleared and completed the required service years, and Bureau of Immigration will remove your name from the blocklisted names, thus removing also from the "Hit" list of NBI. I had these being "hit' twice when I got my clearance the 2nd time around as a DOST scholar. But only on the 1st instance that i was asked with certification from DOST.
ReplyDeletenow i have to get my clearance again, so no renewal is allowed, im hit again. stil have a year to complete my service year. hope the e-clearance will be available in Cebu very soon.
We need to get an NBI for my spouse who is outside of the Philippines, but we have family who can go to Cebu. Do you know if it is possible for a family member to process an NBI clearance, and if so, what documentation they need to provide? Thank you for any information that you may have.
ReplyDeletehi..is the nbi branch in cybergate cebu still open?or where else can we get nbi clearance in cebu?thanks
ReplyDeleteAs of today, September 25, 2014, the NBI Clearance Center at Robinsons Cybergate Cebu is currently CLOSED. There is also no feedback yet if and when they will be open again. You may secure your NBI clearance at their regional office in Capitol Site or at J Centre Mall in Mandaue.
ReplyDelete