Filipinos prefer to apply for conduct certificate

dubai — Despite the temporary suspension of the certificate of good conduct (CGC) as a requirement for employment visas across the UAE, some Filipinos in Dubai who have applied for the document will still continue with the application process, lest it be required by their prospective employers.

“It is up to them (job-seeking Filipinos),” Philippine ConsulGeneral Paul Raymund Cortes told Khaleej Times on Monday, when asked if he will advise his kababayans (compatriots) to hold the application for a CGC or NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) clearance — the Philippine equivalent of police clearance certificate.

“They may still submit an NBI clearance to their employer. It may not be mandatory for now, but some employers may still require

It’s just a temporary suspension. It’s better to get a police clearance now as I may need it in the future.” Bryant Jim Blancia

the document so it is safe for jobseeking Filipinos to acquire a CGC,” Cortes added.

Cortes welcomed the recent instruction by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFA) to embassies and consulates across the UAE, confirming the news of the postponement.

“But we will continue providing services for Filipinos in securing an NBI clearance as it is a staple consular service. In fact, even before the CGC was announced this year, we have already been issuing NBI clearances to our kababayans seeking jobs or planning to migrate abroad,” Cortes explained.

“With the announcement, however, we hope that long queues at the consulate will ease up in the coming days,” he added.

Filipino expat and Dubai resident Bryant Jim Blancia said he will still continue with his NBI clearance

The rules are changing very often but I would like to be prepared and will still get an NBI clearance.” Lyn Mendoza

With the (temporary suspension) announcement, however, we hope that long queues at the Consulate will ease up in the coming days.” Paul Raymund Cortes Philippine consul-general

application. He has already paid at least Dh200 for the Special Power of Attorney, to have his NBI clearance processed by a relative in the Philippines.

I have already paid Dh200 and need to shell out another Dh750 for courier services — it’s too much.” Ace Aller

“The news is clear that it’s just a temporary suspension. It will still be required and it’s better to get a police clearance now as I may need it in the future,” he added.

Another Filipino expat Lyn Mendoza, a Dubai resident for three years, said she wants to be on the safe side. “It was earlier made mandatory, then recently suspended; rules are changing very often but I would like to be prepared and will still get an NBI clearance,” she said.

A staff at the Philippine consulate told Khaleej Times that an NBI clearance has a validity of one to two years.

Another Dubai resident, Ace Aller, said he is still confused about the CGC, but he will still get one. He, however, would like to have the cost of getting an NBI clearance reduced. “I have already paid Dh200 and need to shell out another Dh750 for courier services

I just got a Special Power of Attorney and will submit my documents for processing to a courier.” John Cloyd Viernes

— it’s too much, especially for those working in the F&B sector who usually earn an average of Dh2,000 a month,” he said.

“I also hope that there will be a clear cut guideline and timetable for getting a CGC,” he added.

John Cloyd Viernes, 20, who arrived in Dubai last December and will be taking up work as a bank collection agent, said he is definitely required by his new employer to submit an NBI clearance. “I just got the Special Power of Attorney and will submit my documents for processing to a courier,” he said.

Long-time Dubai resident Jimmy Robinos, meanwhile, benefitted from the temporary waiver, as his employer told him he no longer needs to submit a good conduct certificate. “Thanfully, it (suspension) came at the right time — I will be able to save time and a couple of hundred dirhams,” he said.

Thankfully, the suspension came at the right time — I will be able to save time and a couple of hundred dirhams.” Jimmy Robinos