To get an NBI clearance online in 2026, register at clearance.nbi.gov.ph, fill in your profile, pick a branch and schedule, and pay the ₱130 fee plus a small e-payment charge. Then visit the branch with your reference number and valid ID for biometrics, and your clearance is usually printed the same day unless you get a “hit.”
The NBI clearance is one of the most requested documents in the Philippines, and employers, visa offices and licensing agencies ask for it. This guide follows the National Bureau of Investigation’s own pages, checked on October 12, 2026.
How do you apply for an NBI clearance online?
According to the NBI’s “How to Apply for NBI Clearance” page, the process starts at the official portal, clearance.nbi.gov.ph.
1. Register or log in
Create an account with an active mobile number and email address. You will need a one-time password (OTP) to verify your registration.
2. Complete your profile
Fill in the Applicant Information Form: personal details, family background, and education or employment information. The NBI stresses that your spelling must match your valid IDs exactly. Click “Save Information” and review your profile.
3. Apply for clearance
Click “Apply for Clearance.” A pop-up will ask which valid government ID you will bring to the branch.
4. Choose a branch and schedule
Pick the most convenient NBI branch and an available date and time slot (AM or PM). The NBI says recent system updates allow a 15-day grace period once your transaction is marked “PAID.” That means you can usually still visit within 15 days of your target date if you miss the exact day.
5. Pay the fee
The NBI lists the basic clearance fee as ₱130, plus an e-payment service charge it describes as usually around ₱25 to ₱30. Payment options include GCash, Maya, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center and online banking.
The system will generate a reference number. The NBI calls this a crucial step: copy, screenshot or print it. You use it to pay, and it serves as your “gate pass” at the branch.
What happens at the NBI branch visit?
On your schedule, go to your chosen branch with your reference number and the original valid ID you selected. The NBI’s Citizen’s Charter for online applicants with e-payment describes a short process:
- Biometrics and image capture. Your fingerprints, photo and signature are taken. The charter estimates about 1.5 minutes.
- Printing. If there is no issue, your clearance certificate is printed and released.
Expect lines at busy branches, even though the steps themselves are quick.
What is an NBI “hit”?
A “hit” means your name matched, or closely resembled, a name in the NBI’s criminal database. It does not mean you have a record. The NBI’s Citizen’s Charter explains:
- With no hit, you go straight to printing.
- With a hit, you return on a scheduled date to claim your clearance at the releasing section.
- Some cases are tagged “For Quality Control.” These go to an interview and verification, which the charter says takes at least 15 minutes.
People with common names get hits more often. If you get one, the main cost is time, so apply well before your deadline.
Is the NBI clearance free for first-time jobseekers?
Under Republic Act 11261, the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, qualified first-time jobseekers can get an NBI clearance free of charge. The NBI says they should use the dedicated portal, firsttimejobseekers.nbi.gov.ph, instead of the regular one.
The NBI’s Citizen’s Charter for first-time jobseekers says applicants go to the First Time Job Seeker lane and present their documents with two valid IDs. It lists the biometrics, verification and printing steps as “None (Free of Charge).” Walk-in first-time jobseekers can register at NBI online registration counters, the charter adds.
The NBI’s how-to page says first-time jobseekers should bring an original barangay certificate stating that status and a signed Oath of Undertaking. Check with your barangay and the NBI portal for the exact document you need.
How can you make your NBI application smoother?
- Use only clearance.nbi.gov.ph (or the first-time jobseekers portal). Third-party “booking” sites are not the NBI.
- Match your ID exactly, including middle names and suffixes.
- Save your reference number in more than one place.
- Apply early if your name is common, in case of a hit.
- Check the fee on the portal at checkout. Service charges vary slightly by payment channel.
Why do NBI clearance applications get delayed?
Most problems come from small mistakes made at the online stage. A name spelled differently from your ID, choosing one ID online and bringing another, or showing up after the 15-day grace window can all mean another trip. Before your visit, check your profile against the ID you will bring and confirm your transaction shows as “PAID.” If something looks wrong, fix it in the portal before you go, not at the branch counter.
Quick Summary
- Where: clearance.nbi.gov.ph
- Fee: ₱130 plus an e-payment service charge (about ₱25 to ₱30, per the NBI)
- Bring: your reference number and the valid ID you selected
- First-time jobseekers: free under RA 11261, through the dedicated portal
Frequently asked questions
How much is the NBI clearance in 2026?
The NBI lists the basic fee as ₱130, plus an e-payment service charge it says is usually around ₱25 to ₱30.
Can I still go if I miss my NBI appointment date?
Usually yes. The NBI says paid transactions get a 15-day grace period after the target date.
Does a “hit” mean I have a criminal record?
No. A hit only means your name matched or resembled one in the NBI database, so you return on a set date to claim your clearance.
Where do first-time jobseekers apply?
On the dedicated portal, firsttimejobseekers.nbi.gov.ph, with a barangay certificate and a signed Oath of Undertaking, as the NBI’s how-to page says.
Related guides on The Philippines Web
- How to get an SSS number and My.SSS account online
- November 2026 holiday pay rules for Undas and Bonifacio Day
- Undas 2026 guide: dates, travel tips and cemetery rules
Sources
- https://nbi.gov.ph/how-to-apply-nbi-clearance/ (checked Oct 12, 2026)
- https://nbi.gov.ph/citizens-charter/nbi-clearance-application/ (checked Oct 12, 2026)
- https://nbi.gov.ph/citizens-charter/nbi-clearance-first-time-job-seekers/ (checked Oct 12, 2026)
- https://pinoygovguide.com/nbi/clearance (checked Oct 12, 2026)
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