NBI Clearance Fees and Payment: The Complete 2026 Cost Guide
How much does an NBI Clearance cost in 2026? The short answer is PHP 155. That figure covers the PHP 130 clearance fee plus a PHP 25 system service fee, and it applies whether you are a first-time applicant or renewing an old clearance. But the short answer hides a few things worth knowing: the small surcharge some payment apps add, the extra cost if you want it delivered to your door, the free option for first-time jobseekers, and the separate apostille fee if your clearance is going abroad.
This page breaks down every peso. What you pay, why you pay it, how to pay it through every available channel, and how to avoid the common payment mistakes that cost applicants a second fee. By the end you will know your exact total before you ever click “pay.”
For the booking process, see appointment booking guide. For document requirements, see requirements checklist. For the renewal flow, see the NBI Clearance renewal guide. For the full application walkthrough, see complete application guide.
The Short Answer: How Much Is NBI Clearance in 2026?
For the vast majority of applicants, the cost is PHP 155 total for branch pickup.
That is the number you will pay at the official portal, clearance.nbi.gov.ph, and nowhere else. It is the same amount whether you are applying for employment, travel, a visa, a business permit, or any other purpose. New application or renewal, the base figure does not change.
The only people who pay nothing are qualified first-time jobseekers under Republic Act 11261. The people who pay more are those who choose door-to-door delivery or pay through a channel that adds its own small surcharge. Everything else on this page explains those variations.
The Official Fee Breakdown
The PHP 155 you pay is actually two separate charges bundled together:
Component | Amount | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
Clearance fee | PHP 130 | The actual processing, background check, and certificate issuance |
System service fee | PHP 25 | The e-payment and online system handling charge |
Total | PHP 155 | The standard amount for branch pickup |
The PHP 130 goes to the National Bureau of Investigation for the work of checking your record and printing your clearance. The PHP 25 is the convenience charge for using the online system and electronic payment rails. Both are non-negotiable and both are charged on every standard application.
Why You Sometimes See PHP 130 and Sometimes PHP 155
PHP 155
This is one of the most common sources of confusion. You will see older guides, signage, or even payment screens that quote PHP 130, and others that quote PHP 155. Both are correct, they are just describing different things.
- PHP 130 is the bare clearance fee on its own, the amount that goes purely to NBI processing.
- PHP 155 is the real-world total once the PHP 25 system service fee is added.
When you pay online, you always pay the full PHP 155, because the online system fee is automatically attached. The PHP 130 figure is mostly historical or refers to the processing portion alone. So if someone tells you NBI Clearance is “only PHP 130,” they are technically quoting the base fee but you will still pay PHP 155 at checkout.
Fees by Application Type
A frequent question is whether different purposes cost different amounts. For the standard clearance, they do not. The fee is flat across every purpose.
Application Type | Base Fee | Service Fee | Total (Pickup) |
|---|---|---|---|
First-time application | PHP 130 | PHP 25 | PHP 155 |
Renewal | PHP 130 | PHP 25 | PHP 155 |
Local employment | PHP 130 | PHP 25 | PHP 155 |
Overseas employment (OFW) | PHP 130 | PHP 25 | PHP 155 |
Travel or visa | PHP 130 | PHP 25 | PHP 155 |
Business or licensing | PHP 130 | PHP 25 | PHP 155 |
Foreign national | PHP 130 | PHP 25 | PHP 155 |
First-time jobseeker (RA 11261) | FREE | FREE | PHP 0 |
The clearance itself is the same document regardless of why you need it. The purpose you select during booking does not change the price. What can change your total is the delivery option and the payment channel, both covered below.
Free NBI Clearance for First-Time Jobseekers (RA 11261)
If you are looking for work for the very first time and have never held an NBI Clearance before, you can get it for free under Republic Act 11261, the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act.
To claim the waiver you need:
- Barangay Certificate confirming you are a first-time jobseeker
- Oath of Undertaking (usually signed at the barangay)
- Two valid government IDs
- Registration through the dedicated portal at firsttimejobseekers.nbi.gov.ph (separate from the regular site)
The full PHP 155 is waived, so you pay nothing. The benefit can be used once in your lifetime, so save it for when you genuinely need the clearance for your first job. For the full requirements list, see [LINK: requirements-page].
Door-to-Door Delivery Fees
If you do not want to return to the branch to claim your clearance, you can have it couriered to your address. This adds a delivery charge on top of the PHP 155.
You must choose delivery during the online application, before you pay. You cannot add delivery after payment. If you already paid for pickup but cannot collect it yourself, you will need to send an authorized representative with a valid ID and an authorization letter.
Approximate delivery costs by region (the exact rate appears at checkout based on your address):
10:43 AM
Delivery Region | Approximate Delivery Charge | Approximate Total |
|---|---|---|
Metro Manila (NCR) | PHP 200 to PHP 250 | PHP 355 to PHP 405 |
Luzon (outside NCR) | PHP 230 to PHP 260 | PHP 385 to PHP 415 |
Visayas | PHP 240 to PHP 280 | PHP 395 to PHP 435 |
Mindanao | PHP 240 to PHP 300 | PHP 395 to PHP 455 |
Delivery typically takes 3 to 7 working days within Metro Manila and 7 to 10 working days for Visayas and Mindanao. The courier is assigned automatically based on your location, you do not choose the courier yourself.
A practical note: if you live in Metro Manila and your clearance comes out with no HIT, branch pickup is usually faster and cheaper. You can often collect it the same day. Choose delivery only if you genuinely cannot visit the branch or you live far from one.
Additional and Channel-Specific Charges
The PHP 155 is the baseline, but a few situations add small amounts. Knowing these in advance saves surprise at checkout.
Payment App Surcharges
Some payment channels add their own processing fee on top of the PHP 155. The most commonly reported is GCash, which may add around PHP 5 to PHP 30 depending on the current arrangement, bringing your total to roughly PHP 160 or slightly more. Most other channels (7-Eleven via CliQQ, Maya, Bayad Center) stay at the flat PHP 155. If you want to pay the lowest possible amount, check the total on the confirmation screen before you complete payment, and consider a channel that does not add a surcharge.
Apostille Fee (For Use Abroad)
If your NBI Clearance needs to be used in another country (for a foreign visa, overseas employment, or immigration), it usually needs an apostille, which authenticates it for international use. This is a separate fee handled by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), not the NBI. The DFA charges roughly PHP 100 for regular processing and around PHP 200 for express. This is not part of your NBI fee and is paid separately to the DFA.
Replacement or Reprinting
If you lose your clearance or need a reprint, you generally have to apply again as a new transaction and pay the PHP 155 again. There is no discounted reprint fee for a lost certificate.
Complete List of Payment Methods
The NBI portal accepts a wide range of payment channels, online and over the counter. Pick whichever is most convenient for you.
Mobile Wallets
- GCash (fast, instant confirmation, may add a small surcharge)
- Maya (PayMaya) (fast, instant confirmation)
- ShopeePay
Over-the-Counter and Convenience Stores
- 7-Eleven (via the CliQQ app or kiosk)
- Bayad Center
- Cebuana Lhuillier
- M Lhuillier
- Palawan Express / Palawan Pawnshop
- ECPay
- SM Bills Payment / Savemore
- LBC
Banks and Cards
- Online Banking (BDO, BPI, Metrobank, Landbank, UnionBank, and other partner banks)
- Bank Over the Counter
- Visa or Mastercard (for some online options)
- DragonPay App
The fastest options are the mobile wallets and online banking, where confirmation is often instant. Over-the-counter and bank deposits can take a few hours to a full day to reflect in the system.
How to Pay Through Each Channel
Whatever method you choose, the starting point is the same: book your appointment first, then the system generates a reference number. That reference number is what every payment channel asks for.
How to Pay via GCash
- Open your GCash app and log in
- Tap Bills, then Government, then look for NBI Clearance
- Enter your NBI reference number
- Enter the amount shown (PHP 155, or the total displayed)
- Confirm the payment
- Screenshot the receipt and save your reference number
How to Pay via Maya (PayMaya)
- Open the Maya app and log in
- Go to Pay Bills, then Government, then NBI
- Enter your reference number
- Confirm the amount and pay
- Save the digital receipt
How to Pay via 7-Eleven (CliQQ)
- Open the CliQQ app, or use a CliQQ kiosk inside any 7-Eleven
- Select Bills Payment, then NBI Clearance
- Enter your reference number
- Generate the payment barcode or slip
- Pay the cashier at the counter and keep the receipt
How to Pay Over the Counter (Bayad Center, Cebuana, M Lhuillier, etc.)
- Go to any accredited payment center
- Tell the teller you are paying for an NBI Clearance
- Provide your reference number and the amount
- Pay in cash and collect your validated receipt
- Allow a few hours for the payment to reflect
How to Pay via Online Banking
- Log in to your bank’s app or website (BDO, BPI, Metrobank, Landbank, UnionBank, and others)
- Go to Pay Bills and search for NBI
- Add NBI as a biller and enter your reference number
- Pay the amount (a small bank processing fee may apply)
- Save the confirmation
After any successful payment, return to your NBI dashboard, open the Transactions tab, and confirm your payment status shows as paid. Then print or save your appointment slip.
Payment Confirmation and Your Reference Number
Your reference number is the single most important thing to protect during this whole process. It links your payment to your application. Without it, a payment center cannot accept your money and NBI cannot match a payment to your booking.
After you pay, you should:
- Screenshot the receipt from your wallet, bank, or store
- Write down or save the reference number in at least two places
- Check your NBI dashboard under Transactions to confirm the status changed to paid
- Keep proof of payment to bring on appointment day
The confirmation can be instant (mobile wallets, online banking) or take a few hours to a full day (over-the-counter, bank deposit). Do not panic if it does not update immediately.
Payment Not Reflecting? Here Is What to Do
A payment that has not posted yet is the most common fee-related worry. In most cases it resolves on its own. Here is the order to work through:
- Wait up to 24 hours. Over-the-counter and bank payments commonly take several hours to a full day to sync with the NBI system.
- Check your Transactions tab. Log in to your dashboard and see whether the status has updated.
- Keep your proof handy. Have your reference number and receipt screenshot ready.
- Email NBI support at support@nbi.gov.ph with your reference number and proof of payment if it has been more than 24 hours.
- Do not pay twice. A duplicate payment is hard to refund. Wait and verify before paying again.
Refund Policy: Can You Get Your Money Back?
This is the honest part most guides avoid. In general, NBI Clearance fees are not refundable. Once you have paid, the PHP 155 is committed to your application.
A few realities to keep in mind:
- Missed appointments do not get refunded. If you do not show up, the fee is not returned, though some branches let you reuse the reference number for a rebooking within a limited window.
- Cancellations do not get refunded. If you cancel your appointment, you forfeit the fee and start over with a new payment.
- Duplicate payments are difficult to recover. This is exactly why you should never pay twice. Verify first.
- Rescheduling is free. If you cannot make your slot, reschedule rather than cancel. Your paid PHP 155 carries over to the new date.
The takeaway is simple: pay once, pay correctly, and reschedule (never cancel) if your plans change. For the reschedule process, see [LINK: appointment-page].
Tips to Avoid Fee Problems
Small habits that save you money and a second trip:
- Pay as soon as you get your reference number. Slots and reference numbers can expire if you wait too long to pay.
- Check the total on the confirmation screen before completing payment, so channel surcharges do not surprise you.
- Use a low-surcharge channel like 7-Eleven CliQQ, Maya, or Bayad Center if you want to avoid extra app fees.
- Never pay twice. If a payment is pending, wait 24 hours and verify before trying again.
- Save your reference number and receipt in multiple places, your email, a screenshot, and on paper.
- Choose pickup if you live near a branch. Delivery adds PHP 200 or more, and Metro Manila pickup is often same-day.
- Only pay on the official portal, clearance.nbi.gov.ph. Paying through unofficial sites risks losing your money and getting a fraudulent clearance.
