NBI Clearance Online 2026: Application, Appointment & Renewal Guide

To get an NBI Clearance online in 2026, register an account at the official NBI portal, complete your applicant information, click “Apply for Clearance,” choose your valid ID, select an NBI branch and appointment schedule, pay the ₱160 total fee (₱130 clearance fee + ₱30 e-payment service fee) through GCash, Maya, online banking, or 7-Eleven, then visit the branch on your appointment date for fingerprinting and photo capture. If your record returns “No HIT,” your clearance is usually released the same day.
This guide explains the complete process from start to finish whether you are a first-time job seeker applying for free under RA 11261, a returning applicant doing an NBI clearance renewal online, an OFW or Filipino applying from abroad, or a foreigner who needs a clearance for visa or business purposes. Everything below is verified against the NBI Citizen’s Charter and official NBI regional advisories, and updated for June 2026.

GET NBI CLEARANCE

What is an NBI Clearance?

An NBI Clearance is an official certificate issued by the National Bureau of Investigation  the principal investigative agency of the Philippine government under the Department of Justice, operating under Republic Act No. 10867 confirming that the holder has no pending criminal case or derogatory record in the NBI national database. It is valid for one (1) year from the date of issue and is one of the most commonly required documents in the Philippines.
Unlike a police clearance, which checks records only within a city or municipality, an NBI clearance checks records nationwide. That is why employers, embassies, banks, and government agencies prefer it.

The NBI clearance fee in 2026 is ₱130, plus an e-payment system fee of around ₱30, for a total of about ₱160 through most channels. First-time job seekers pay nothing under RA 11261.

Complete Fee Breakdown

Where to Pay for NBI Clearance Online

How Do I Know If My NBI Payment Was Successful?

Log in to your NBI account and open the Transactions tab. If the status shows “Paid,” your payment was successful. Always screenshot your reference number and keep the official receipt. Over-the-counter payments (7-Eleven, banks, Bayad Center) can take up to 24 hours to reflect. If the status has not changed after 24 hours, contact your payment provider first, then NBI support, and bring your proof of payment to the branch if needed.

Follow these ten steps to complete your NBI clearance online application. The same process applies whether you use a phone, tablet, or computer.

Step 1: Go to the Official NBI Clearance Portal

Open clearance.nbi.gov.ph in your browser, or open the eGovPH app and select NBI Clearance. Read and accept the data privacy terms (RA 10173, the Data Privacy Act, governs how the NBI handles your information). Before entering any personal data, confirm the address bar shows the official nbi.gov.ph domain — not a look-alike site.

Step 2: Register a New Account

On the homepage you will see the question: “Do you have an old NBI Clearance issued from 2014 to present?”

• Select No if you are a new applicant, then fill in your personal details under “Register as New Account.”
• Select Yes if you have a clearance from 2014 onwards — enter your old NBI ID number and the system will pull your existing record, letting you skip most of the profile form.
• Enter an active mobile number and email, create a strong password, tick the Terms of Service and reCAPTCHA boxes, and click Sign Up.

Step 3: Verify Your Account (OTP + Email)

Enter the one-time password (OTP) sent to your mobile number, then open your email and click Activate Account. If the OTP does not arrive, check signal coverage, wait for the resend timer, and check your spam folder for the activation email.

Step 4: Complete Your Applicant Information

Log in and fill out the Applicant Information form: full name, birth date, civil status, address, and the purpose of your clearance. Double-check spelling against your valid IDs before clicking Save Information and then Submit. Most “hit-like” delays and branch rejections are caused by mismatched details at this step.

Step 5: Click “Apply for Clearance”

Click the Apply for Clearance button at the top of your dashboard. A pop-up will ask which valid ID you will present at the branch — select the exact ID type and enter its number, then click I Agree. Bring that same ID on appointment day.

Step 6: Choose Your NBI Branch and Appointment Schedule

Select your preferred NBI Clearance Center — branches operate in NBI offices, malls, and satellite centers nationwide. Pick a date and time; blue boxes on the calendar are available slots. Morning slots (8:00–10:00 AM) are typically faster, and off-peak months (March–May, September–November) have shorter queues than January and June–July.

Step 7: Choose a Payment Method and Pay the Fee

Select your payment channel (GCash, Maya, ShopeePay, online banking, over-the-counter bank, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center, ECPay, Visa/Mastercard, or DragonPay) and pay the total of about ₱160. Save your reference number and receipt screenshot them and keep a copy in cloud storage.

Step 8: Visit the NBI Branch on Your Appointment Date

Arrive 15–30 minutes early. Bring: (1) your two valid IDs, (2) your reference number, and (3) your payment receipt. Because you applied online, you can go straight to the encoding station — no forms to fill out at the branch.

Step 9: Biometrics, Photo, and Signature Capture

NBI staff will capture your fingerprints, photograph, and digital signature. Dress decently (sleeveless tops are discouraged for the photo), remove eyeglasses and accessories if asked, and confirm your printed details on screen before approving.

Step 10: Releasing — Claim Your NBI Clearance

• No HIT: proceed to the printing and releasing section your clearance is usually printed the same day, often within minutes.
• With HIT: you will be given a return date, normally 5–10 working days later, while NBI verifies the record match. Some applicants are interviewed by the Quality Control section.
• Delivery option: at participating branches and through services like MyEG, you can have the printed clearance couriered to your door instead of returning to claim it.

If your NBI clearance was issued from 2014 onwards, you can renew online without re-encoding your full profile: log in (or register using your old NBI ID number), confirm your details, book a schedule or choose the delivery option, pay ₱160, and either appear at the branch or wait for the courier.

Regular Renewal vs Quick Renewal (Door-to-Door Delivery)

if you married and changed your surname, use Regular Renewal and update your profile first; if your clearance is from before 2014, you must apply as a new applicant; and renewal does not require the old reason you can renew an “employment” clearance for “travel” purposes.

Under Republic Act No. 11261 (First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act), Filipinos applying for their first job are entitled to one free NBI clearance. Register through the dedicated portal at firsttimejobseekers.nbi.gov.ph not the regular link.

Documents Required for the Free Clearance

How Fast Is the First-Time Job Seeker Lane?

Per the official NBI Citizen’s Charter, the FTJS lane takes about 2 minutes 15 seconds of total processing when there is no HIT: 1 minute 30 seconds for biometrics, 30 seconds for database verification, and 15 seconds for printing and release. The benefit can be used only once keep your free clearance safe and renew it as a paying applicant afterward.

A “HIT” means your name or personal details matched a record in the NBI database that requires manual verification most often because someone with a similar name has a pending case. A HIT does not mean you have a criminal record.

What to Do If You Get a HIT

To check your NBI clearance status or verify a certificate, log in at clearance.nbi.gov.ph and open the Transactions / Clearance section. Employers can validate an applicant’s clearance using the NBI ID number printed on the certificate.

How to Check Your Application Status

Warning: Fake “NBI Verification” Websites

Only verify through the official clearance.nbi.gov.ph portal. Third-party “NBI online verification” tools hosted on unofficial domains (.io, .net, and look-alike spellings) are not connected to the NBI database and may exist to harvest names, birthdates, and ID numbers. Never enter your NBI ID number, OTP, or personal details on a site that is not on the nbi.gov.ph domain and never pay anyone who messages you offering to “fix” a HIT or “rush” a clearance. NBI has no fixers; that is a scam.

Filipinos abroad do not need to fly home. Through the NBI Mailed Clearance process, you secure NBI Form No. 5 from the Philippine Embassy or Consulate, complete fingerprinting there or at a local police station, and mail the documents with ₱200 (₱130 clearance fee + ₱70 mailing) to the NBI in Manila.

Step-by-Step: NBI Clearance From Abroad

• Secure NBI Form No. 5 from the Philippine Embassy or Consular Office. The form must bear the consulate seal. (A representative in the Philippines may also obtain it from the Mailed Clearance Section with an authorization letter and a copy of your passport biodata page.)
• Fill out the form carefully  no erasures. Married women must indicate the father’s surname, husband’s surname, first name, and mother’s maiden surname in the designated fields.
• Fingerprinting  have your fingerprints taken at the Embassy, Consulate, or nearest police station as rolled impressions. The officer must print their name, sign, state their designation, and stamp their official seal on the form.
• Attach a 2×2 photo (white background, taken within the last 3 months) and a photocopy of your passport biodata page.
• Mail everything with ₱200 (or its US dollar equivalent) to: NBI Mailed Clearance Section, 3rd Floor, NBI Clearance Building, UN Avenue, Ermita, Manila, Philippines 1000  or have your authorized representative submit it in person.

This route is commonly used by OFWs in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and seafarers worldwide who need an NBI clearance for visa renewal, residency, or new contracts abroad.

Maikling sagot: Magrehistro sa clearance.nbi.gov.ph, kumpletuhin ang iyong impormasyon, pumili ng branch at schedule, magbayad ng humigit-kumulang ₱160 sa GCash, Maya, bangko o 7-Eleven, at pumunta sa NBI branch sa araw ng iyong appointment para sa fingerprints at litrato. Kapag walang “HIT,” makukuha mo ang clearance sa parehong araw.

Magkano ang NBI clearance? ₱130 ang bayad sa clearance at humigit-kumulang ₱30 ang service fee ng e-payment mga ₱160 lahat. Libre ito para sa mga first-time job seekers sa ilalim ng RA 11261, basta may dalang Barangay Certification at Oath of Undertaking.

How Long Is NBI Clearance Valid?

One (1) year from the date of issue, which is printed on the certificate itself. Some embassies and employers require a clearance issued within the last 6 months even if it is technically still valid always check the specific requirement of the requesting office.

Can I Print or Download My NBI Clearance Online?

The official clearance is printed and released by the NBI branch on security paper the portal does not issue a downloadable e-clearance for regular applications. What you can save and print from your account are your application form, appointment details, and payment confirmation. Treat anyone selling a “PDF NBI clearance” online as a scam.

What If I Lose My NBI Clearance?

Execute an affidavit of loss, then visit the NBI office to request a replacement. If it was issued from 2014 onwards, your record is in the system, which speeds up reissuance. Keep photocopies and a phone photo of every clearance you receive.

Can Foreigners Apply for an NBI Clearance?

Yes. Foreign nationals who reside in or previously stayed in the Philippines can apply through the same online portal, presenting their passport and ACR I-Card; foreigners already abroad use the Mailed Clearance process. Foreigners typically need an NBI clearance for work permits (AEP), visa conversions, retirement visas (SRRV), and business registration in the Philippines.

Online vs Walk-In Application: Which Is Better?

Even “walk-in” applicants ultimately go through the same online system — NBI offices provide free Wi-Fi and registration counters where staff help you register on the spot. If you can apply online beforehand, you will save one to three hours of queueing.

Final Checklist Before Your NBI Appointment

Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Applicants

• Go to the  NBI First-Time Job Seekers Website. This platform is for fresh applicants who get a job for the first time, so there is no applying fee for them.

• Then, choose Register or Create an Account to start the registration process. 
• Read the terms and conditions with full focus. After reading, tap on I Agree to ensure that you understand everything.
• This is the confirmation that you can access the form and instructions for new applicants. 
• Give correct details like full name, birthdate, and address. Before clicking on the agree button, read it again for any corrections. 
• Fill in the required fields on the registration form, then click Sign Up for the next step. 
• After singing, they ask you for OTP on your phone. Put that code for activating your account. 
• When the account is activated, log in by using the information you provided.
• Completing the remaining application form. Make sure you can complete all the sections with stars as required.  
• Always check for twice the information that you provided. Make sure that it’s correct, and then click on the submit.
• When you submit the details, they provide a reference number. Save it because this number is important for you in the future for tracking purposes or verifying your applications. 
• Select the date and time for your visit to the NBI office.
• When you come, bring your ID reference number to the NBI branch when it’s your appointment day. Needed documents are important for verifying your identity.

Note: If you want to renew your NBI clearance and don’t know the process, then read this Guide: How to Renew?