Last verified: October 5, 2026
Independent guide. We are not affiliated with the National Bureau of Investigation. Fees below are as reported in 2026 guides — confirm the exact amount on the portal at payment time.
Quick answer: A standard NBI clearance costs ₱155 — a ₱130 clearance fee plus a ₱25 system/e-payment fee. The amount is the same whatever your purpose (employment, visa, travel). First-time jobseekers pay nothing once in their lifetime under RA 11261. Delivery and some payment channels add small extra charges.
The standard fee, explained
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| NBI clearance fee | ₱130 |
| System / e-payment service fee | ₱25 |
| Total you pay | ₱155 |
Why two charges? The ₱130 is the statutory clearance fee; the ₱25 covers the online system’s payment processing. They are collected as one transaction.
The fee does not change with your purpose. Employment, visa, travel abroad, business, government transaction — all ₱155. Anyone quoting you a higher “special rate” for a particular purpose is not legitimate.
How to Pay NBI Clearance via GCash
GCash is the fastest way to pay — posting is usually instant. You need your reference number from the NBI portal first (generated after you book your appointment and choose GCash as the payment channel).
1. On the NBI portal’s payment page, select GCash and copy your reference number (screenshot it — do not confuse it with your application ID).
2. Open the GCash app → tap Pay Bills (or Bills).
3. Choose Government, then select NBI (search “NBI” if you don’t see it).
4. Enter your reference number as the account number and the exact amount shown on the portal (usually ₱155–₱160 — the small difference is GCash’s convenience fee).
5. Enter your mobile number (and email for a receipt), review, then Confirm with your MPIN.
6. Back on the NBI portal, your transaction status changes to PAID — usually within minutes, officially up to 24 hours.
Confirm it worked: check GCash’s transaction history (merchant “NBI”, status Successful) and the portal’s Transactions tab. Save a screenshot of the GCash receipt. You do not need a fully verified GCash account — Basic accounts can pay bills. And yes, you can pay for someone else’s application from your own GCash: the payment follows the reference number.
Free for first-time jobseekers (RA 11261)
Republic Act No. 11261 (First-Time Jobseekers Assistance Act) waives government fees — including the NBI clearance — for Filipinos entering the workforce for the first time. Key rules:
- Usable once in a lifetime. If you already used it for another document, you cannot use it again for NBI.
- You need a barangay certification confirming first-time-jobseeker status and at least 6 months residency (original, letterhead, dry seal).
- Select the first-time-jobseeker option when registering at clearance.nbi.gov.ph, and present the certification at the branch.
- The waiver covers the clearance fee itself; confirm the final amount shown on the portal before paying — it should reflect the waiver.
Printable checklist for the free clearance:
- [ ] Barangay certification (first-time jobseeker + 6-month residency)
- [ ] Valid government-issued photo ID
- [ ] Reference number from online registration
- [ ] Select the jobseeker option during online registration
Extra charges that may apply
Door-to-door delivery (Quick Renewal)
If you renew online and choose delivery instead of branch pickup, courier charges apply on top of the ₱155:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Clearance + system fee | ₱155 |
| Delivery fee | ~₱200–₱350 (varies by location/courier) |
| Typical total | ~₱355–₱510 |
Metro Manila delivery runs about 3–5 business days; provincial deliveries up to 10. Sources report slightly different totals (₱355–₱505 vs ₱355–₱510) because the courier fee varies — the portal shows your exact delivery charge before you pay.
Payment-channel convenience fees
Some channels add a small fee of their own (around ₱5–₱30):
- GCash / Maya: fastest posting; small add-on possible depending on current partner arrangements — some applicants report paying ~₱160 total.
- 7-Eleven (CLiQQ), Bayad Center: usually close to the flat ₱155, occasional small transaction fee.
- Online banking via DragonPay: generally the flat rate.
These add-ons go to the payment provider, not the NBI.
Mailed applications from abroad
The mailed/abroad process costs ₱200 total (per 2026 guides). Embassy fingerprint-card authentication fees are separate and vary by country. Details: NBI clearance abroad.
What a HIT does NOT cost
If your application gets a “HIT” (name match requiring manual verification), no additional fee is charged for the verification itself. The ₱155 you paid covers it. Details: what HIT means.
Buod sa Tagalog
₱155 ang NBI clearance: ₱130 clearance fee + ₱25 system fee. Libre nang isang beses para sa first-time jobseekers (RA 11261) na may barangay certification. Kung ipapa-deliver (Quick Renewal), mga ₱355–₱510 ang total kasama ang courier. Walang dagdag na bayad kung may HIT ang application.
Troubleshooting
I was charged more than ₱155 and don’t know why. Check your e-wallet receipt — the difference is usually the provider’s convenience fee (₱5–₱30). If the charge is much larger or from an unfamiliar biller, do not complete it and verify the payment step on clearance.nbi.gov.ph.
Payment deducted but portal shows unpaid. Wait up to 24 hours (over-the-counter payments post slower), then check your dashboard. Keep the receipt — do not pay twice without checking the payment troubleshooting steps.
Someone offers a “discounted” or “express” fee. The NBI has one published fee. Fixers offering shortcuts are not legitimate and can get your application voided.
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Related guides: NBI Clearance Hub · Online Appointment · Requirements · Renewal · HIT Meaning
Last verified: 2026-10-05. Official source: clearance.nbi.gov.ph. Fee breakdown (₱130 + ₱25 = ₱155) per 2026 guides (respicio.ph, nbiappointmentlogin.com, en.guideph.com); RA 11261 per Republic Act No. 11261; abroad ₱200 and delivery ranges per 2026 guides — confirm exact delivery charge on the portal before paying.
Always confirm details on the official government portal:
Visit the official NBI portalFrequently asked questions
Magkano ang NBI clearance sa 2026?
₱155 lahat-lahat (₱130 + ₱25 system fee). Pareho ang presyo kahit ano ang purpose — employment, visa, o travel.
Libre ba talaga para sa first-time jobseeker?
Oo — isang beses sa buong buhay sa ilalim ng RA 11261, basta may barangay certification. Piliin ang jobseeker option sa online registration.
Bakit may ₱25 na dagdag?
System/e-payment service fee ito para sa online payment processing. Kasama ito sa iisang transaksyon.
Magkano kung ipapa-deliver?
Mga ₱355–₱510 lahat-lahat, depende sa courier fee sa iyong lugar. Makikita ang eksaktong halaga sa portal bago magbayad.
Nagbayad ako ng ₱160 sa GCash — scam ba ito?
Hindi. Ang sobra (~₱5) ay convenience fee ng payment provider, hindi ng NBI. Normal ito sa ilang e-wallet transactions.
Pwede bang bayaran sa branch mismo?
Hindi — ang bayad ay sa online/e-payment channels bago ang appointment. Magdala ng resibo sa branch.
How do I pay NBI clearance using GCash?
Book your appointment on clearance.nbi.gov.ph, choose GCash, and copy your reference number. In the GCash app go to Pay Bills → Government → NBI, enter the reference number and the exact amount (₱155–₱160), confirm with your MPIN. The portal marks your transaction PAID, usually within minutes.
How long until my GCash payment reflects on the NBI portal?
Often within minutes, but officially up to 24 hours. If it still shows unpaid the next working day, report it in GCash and contact NBI support — do not pay twice.
