THE ADVENTURES OF BONG VOYAGE
Bong Voyage, our perpetual immigrant visa applicant, is currently at the Embassy for his visa interview. He submitted his passport and other supporting documents including his NBI clearance at the receiving window. A few minutes later, his number was flashed on the Qmatic screen.
Consul Jimmy Murdochs (while checking his visa documents): Good morning. Your complete name, please?
Bong Voyage: Bong Voyage.
Consul: Mr. Voyage, as I review your papers, I notice that the name indicated on your birth certificate is Roberto Voyage while your NBI clearance says Bong Voyage. How is this so?
Bong Voyage: Ever since I was little, I have used the name Bong Voyage. I only learned about my other name, Roberto Voyage, when I requested an authenticated birth certificate from the National Statistics Office (NSO). I was planning to have it corrected but I was told it is a lengthy and costly process.
Consul: I understand your concern, Mr. Voyage; we also understand that indeed it is a costly and lengthy process. However, we need your amended birth certificate indicating your current name, Bong Voyage, for us to be able to continue processing your application. Do you also have an NBI clearance bearing your other name, Roberto Voyage?
Bong Voyage: I am afraid not; I thought it was not necessary.
Consul: You will need to submit a new NBI clearance with your other name. NBI clearances submitted to us should be in your current name, birth certificate name, maiden name, married name, and any aliases or nicknames you ever used, including different spellings of all your names. Mr. Voyage, I regret that I won’t be able to approve your visa as of this time.
Bong Voyage: I understand, Sir Consul. I will have my birth certificate amended and I will secure a new NBI clearance. Thank you very much for your time.
It is essential to review and complete visa requirements and documents before proceeding for a visa interview. Below are helpful links which you can check when you are in the process of completing your visa requirements:
US Embassy Immigrant Visa Website: http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3023.html
NSO Website: https://www.ecensus.com.ph/Secure/frmIndex.asp
NBI Website: http://www.nbi.gov.ph/
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Very informative article and written in a very reader friendly manner.
I got my NBI clearance in NBI Naga City last June 16, 2011 and says FOR TRAVEL USA and valid for 1 year. Can I still use it for example, I have an K1 interview this November?or I have to get a new clearance?
thank you for any reply and more power.
The NBI clearance is valid for one year from the date it was issued, so if you received yours on June 16, 2011, it will not expire until June 16, 2012.
I’ve a something similar, my birth and NBI clearances indicate my given name. However, my baptismal and marriage certificate contains my given name and christian name (jose). my immigrant visa application contain contains my christian name (since my wife, the principal petiotioned, we were married in church). I submitted my immigration documents along with an affidavit stating that i am one and the same person. (affidavit contains other documents that I use both names interchangibly such as seen in my high school yearbook, etc.) Do I need to amend my birth and NBI certificates to include both my given and christian name so that it is similar with my marriage certificate?
Many thanks.
We understand that you are using both your names interchangeably; we are therefore requesting that you submit all supporting and civil documents containing both names, together with the affidavit that you have mentioned earlier. You will need to submit a new NBI clearance with your other name. NBI clearances submitted to us should be in your current name, birth certificate name, maiden name, married name, and any aliases or nicknames you ever used, including different spellings of all your names. A consular officer will review these documents, if the officer determines that the documentation or information already provided is insufficient to establish eligibility for a visa, the officer may request the submission of additional documents or require additional information until the true facts of the case can be ascertained.
If your visa is approved, it will be delivered to your designated address.
Thanks for the reply. The affidavit and other supporting documents were submitted to the nvc in the U.S. As for the NBI clearance which bears my more frequently used name, this has already expired this October 28. I am to renew this anytime this month of November just to keep it active. Do I need to send this in advance to the NVC in the U.S. or do I wait to submit these along with the additional NBI clearance that will bear my other name when the interview takes place in manila?
If your priority date is not current for processing at this time, we suggest you submit the NBI clearance(s) to the State Department’s National Visa Center (NVC) which holds non-current petitions for safekeeping. When the case is documentarily complete and a visa number is available, NVC will schedule you for a visa interview and forward the petition to the Embassy for processing.
However, if you have been scheduled already for a visa appointment, you may submit your NBI clearance(s) and other documents during the interview.
It is in point of fact a great and useful piece of info. I’m happy that you just shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed. Thanks for sharing.
I have the same problem, I have my Birth Certificated amended already. When I go for an interview I need an NBI with my name what’s written in my Birth Certificate and my current name. Do I need an NBI with A.K.A? like what I have heard for misspelled name or using different name etc, the consul is asking an NBI with A.K.A. My situation I have never use the name what’s written in my BC.
My other concern too is when I apply for Certificate of No Criminal conviction in HK do I required also to apply a Certificate with my other name? If I do, does it have a certificate with A.K.A. or just a name what is written in my BC. Please help.
I am looking forward to hear from you. Thank you.
Immigrant visa applicants are required to present a police certificate from any place or places of residence for more than one year since attaining the age of 16. As with NBI clearances, foreign police certificates should be obtained in any maiden names, names indicated on civil documents, married names, aliases or nicknames ever used while in the country in question, including different spellings of all names ever used.
For specific instructions on how to obtain a police clearance from Hong Kong, you or the applicant may visit our website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciprocity/reciprocity_3579.html.
The Hong Kong Police can be reached by telephone at (852) 2860-6558, by fax at (852) 2200-4321, or by mail through The Commissioner of Police (Attn: EO CNCC), 14/F Arsenal House, Police Headquarters, 1 Arsenal Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Inquires can also be made by email at eo-cncc-ib@police.gov.hk.
We hope this information will be helpful to you.
how long does it take to receive ur visa?
The time required to process a visa application to conclusion varies by case and depends on its complexity and the number and intricacy of other cases awaiting review.
My other concern too is when I apply for Certificate of No Criminal conviction in HK do I required also to apply a Certificate with my other name?
Fiancee (K1) visa applicants aged 16 years and older must present police certificates from other countries where they have lived for six (6) months or more after reaching the age of 16. As with NBI clearances, foreign police certificates should be obtained in any maiden names, aliases or nicknames used while in the country in question, including different spellings you have used of those names. Country-specific information on how to secure police certificates is available on the State Department’s website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html.
good p.m !!!I just want to ask ,,, what if I’m married in a us citizen ,,,,,if he petition me ,,,,what surname will i used on my documents like NBI ,POLICE, and other clearances ,,, his surname or still my maiden name ,,,,actually i know is that i need to use her surname but i want to ensure if that is right ,,,,,thank you!!!
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog. Your documents, especially your clearances, should be in your current name, birth certificate name, maiden name and any aliases or nicknames used, including different spellings you have used of those names.
i have the same problem.. my birthcertificate was incorrect so i undergo in the process of correction of birthcertificate which take about a year before the court finally approve and appears on NSO, my name in the birthcertificate was before a shery yakashima while now it was changed into my mothers maiden name shery diaz i removed the last name for all my documents in school was in my mom’s maiden last name… do i have to provide an NBI with AKA shery yakashima cozi already have NBI and police clearance here with my new name shery diaz .. pls help me.. is that the only documents i must provide to make sure that i have the reuirements coz i already got everything i need but on what i have read now i am worried that it might need more supporting documents..pls tell me what documents i need. do i have to provide baptismal with my old name? coZ i dont know where i was baptize , do i have to provide a power of attorny saying that the two names are just one person..?? pls help .
pls reply to my message admin
( i wanna make sure i pass my interview and i have all the posible documents they will look for.. tomorow i will get a NBI with AKA of the name that is written on my Birthcertifcate before the last name was removed…. what else do i have to bring? baptismal? elementary diploma? highschool? do i have to provide those things? i am a K-1 applicant..
Kindly follow all interview preparation instructions for K1/K2 visa applicants located on the Embassy’s website at http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3238.html. The instructions contained on the website will provide you the required documentation and procedures to follow prior to the interview date.
You should compile all the required documents and complete the medical examinations before the interview date (when scheduled). Please note that the medical examination may take more than one day to complete.
NBI clearances should be provided in all names and aliases used, including your name as originally listed on your birth certificate and the corrected name. School and baptismal records are typically not requested in conjunction with a police clearance, although the interviewing consular officer may request them to establish the relationship between you and a family member.
admin thank you for replying to my post.. but im the only applicant and i dont have someone with me.. would that be mean that i dont necessarily need to provide diploma’s and baptismal? i can provide only college one but baptismal its really imposible coz i dont know where i was baptized ..i get a nbi for travel USA purposes and i told the encoder that i need them to put in my NBI that i have used other names before which is my name in my birthcert.before the last name was removed.. i hope i will be fine
we are so excted about everything my fiance is so confident that we will be fine and he already book a ticket 2 weeks after the interview date hays..
Kindly follow all interview preparation instructions for K1/K2 visa applicants located on the Embassy’s website at http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3238.html. The instructions contained on the website will provide you the required documentation and procedures to follow prior to the interview date.
You should compile all the required documents and complete the medical examinations before the interview date (when scheduled). Please note that the medical examination may take more than one day to complete.
Hi there. I applied for k1 visa and after the interview the consul asked me to submit an NBI clearance with AKA of former married name. Even if i am annuled is it really required to include former married name in the clearance as AKA? Another question is will the NBI Clearance for AKA indicate the whole complete (former married name) or just the former surname i used?
You need to submit an NBI clearance will AKAs in all names ever used, including names appearing on your birth certificate or former married or single names.
hi admin thank you for your patience and sory for the multiple questions i have.. but yesterday i read this blog saying that there was an applicant who got a problem with her interview because of her mispelled name which is already been corrected by having a AFFIDAVIT and it is noted below her birthcertificate and this cause her some delays she needed to submit ff:documents… now she have to get a NSO cenomar with AKA to prove that she didnt get married on her mispelled name..
this is the situation for me.. i called the NSO hotline today and if its possible to get a CENOMAR with AKA now i told them that my BIRTHcertificate was corrected under court not under affidavit.. they told me that they cant provide a cenomar with aka but if ever i ask for a document wth my previous name then it will appear on their data “no results found” on my name because it is already corrected. sir do i have to get a cenomar personally in NSO without any forms or request from the embasy to get this and ask for a cenomar with aKA ???
is it possible for me to have it? or what if they said no and i ask for a cenomar on my name before it was corrected and they give me a no results found on their data would that be okay to bring in my interview just to assure prove the consul that i am not yet married on my previous and current name (which i also have cenomar on my current name) i just dont want some delays and i know you guys will understand us by this tons of questions, coz we will feel very bad after the interview and we missed some documents which cause us delay while everyone else are happy coz they got theirs .. pls help me.. it will be highly apprecited..
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog.
We are unable to determine which additional document you need to submit until you have been interviewed and your case is adjudicated by a consular officer. We can only suggest that you bring all available documentation at the time of your visa interview. The consular officer determines if any additional or updated documents are needed as the application is processed.
Good day, I am really confused with this “aka” thing and it gave me a very big problem, im getting paranoid. All my docjments now are in my current name becuasd im now single my maffiage was annuled. So, I went to NBI main office they wont release me a clezarancd with “aka”. They said to wait for my interview and whzat the consul will tell me. I want to bring ghe clearance with “aka”on my previous surname used and want to be ready for the interview coz I dont want to delay my visa. I was hopeless, pls help me. Can I get the clearancd with aka b4 my ingerview? The NBI told me they cant released it unless I show them letter from the embassy requesting for it but u said I must review all the requirements to bring b4 going to interview.
When applying for the immigrant visa, an applicant must submit basic documentary requirements, such as a Philippine NBI clearance. The adjudicating consular officer will determine, usually during the visa interview, if additional documentation would be required to process the case to completion.
Please be aware that since many factors may affect visa issuance, we are unable to predict if or when an applicant would qualify for the visa.
Hi! I just want to clarify some things before i will go to my interview, this is my case,the spelling of my middle name my kids bc is mispelled, instead of s, the one there is c, will there be a problem with it when i will be interviewed? Do i have to get a NBI with aka with my wrong spelled middle name? Please I need your response so i can have my documents ready before the interview…Thanks!
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
You may submit your children’s birth certificate at the time of your visa interview. The consular officer determines if any additional or updated documents are needed as the application is processed.
Thanks for your reply…I’m married, do i really have to get my nbi with aka for the interview or it is ok with out aka?
NBI clearances should be in your current name, birth certificate name, maiden name, married name, and any aliases or nicknames you ever used, including different spellings of all your names. If you wish to submit an NBI clearance without your alias at the time of your visa interview you may do so. At that time you will be informed regarding any additional documents you may need to submit.
I am an EB3 applicant, the name written on my visa screen certificate is my maiden name. Should i be requesting an NBI clearance with AKA? my interview date is in 2 weeks. thanks!
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
Immigrant visa applicants are required to submit basic documentary requirements such as a Philippine police (NBI) clearance (for applicants 16 years and older). If you have an NBI clearance with you, you may submit the document on the day of your visa interview. The consular officer will determine if additional or updated documentation is necessary as the application is processed.
i have a question, my marriage certificate spells my name as ANNE but in the birth certificate,NBI, passport spells as ANE. i am under spousal petition. What am i going to do?i am really scared for the interview day
please help
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
Your case will be processed based on the birth information shown on your birth certificate issued by the Philippine National Statistics Office (NSO) and your valid passport issued by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Office (DFA).
All documents submitted in support of the visa application will be reviewed at the time of the interview. You should be prepared to submit meaningful and convincing evidence that further establishes your identity. The consular officer determines if any additional documents are needed as the application is processed.
good day, my marriage contract which is already annulled, got second name but i am using the birth certificate which is only got one name, will this cause a problem in applying a k-1 visa ..thanks so much
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
We process cases based on the birth information shown on the applicant’s birth certificate issued by the Philippine National Statistics Office (NSO) and his/her valid passport issued by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Office (DFA).
I just want to ask, i am already annulled, but i have a second name on my marriage contract,which is just annulled, but i am using only one name on my birth certificate eversince,will it be a problem in applying a k-1 visa
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
We process cases based on the birth information shown on the applicant’s birth certificate issued by the Philippine National Statistics Office (NSO) and his/her valid passport issued by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Office (DFA).