Last verified: October 5, 2026
Independent guide. We are not affiliated with the National Bureau of Investigation. The portal interface changes over time — the steps below describe the process as of 2026; if a label differs slightly, follow the portal’s current wording.
Quick answer: An NBI appointment is booked entirely online. First complete your NBI online registration at clearance.nbi.gov.ph (create an account, verify your email), fill out the application form, choose a branch and slot, pay ₱155, then appear once for photo, fingerprints, and signature. Bring your reference number and valid IDs. No-HIT clearances are often released the same day.
NBI Online Registration: Creating Your Account
“NBI online registration” simply means creating your applicant account on the official portal — it is the required first step before any NBI online application, and it is free.
1. Go to clearance.nbi.gov.ph and click Register / Sign Up.
2. Enter your email address (you will need access to it for OTP codes and account recovery) and create a password.
3. Verify your email if asked — check spam/junk for the verification message.
4. Log in. Your applicant dashboard now holds everything: applications, reference numbers, appointment records, and payment status.
One account per person — do not create a second account if you forget your password; use the recovery option instead. Your registered details (especially your name) carry into every NBI online application you file, so get them right the first time.
Before you start: what you need
- An email address you can access (for OTP and account recovery)
- Your personal details exactly as they appear on your valid ID — full name, birthdate, birthplace, civil status, citizenship
- At least one valid government-issued photo ID (details: requirements guide)
- ₱155 for payment (or your first-time-jobseeker documents if claiming the free clearance — see fee guide)
Name-matching warning: enter your name exactly as printed on your ID. “Ma.” vs “Maria,” a missing “Jr./III” suffix, or a different spelling of your middle name are among the most common causes of processing delays and HIT flags. Fix it on the portal before your appointment, not at the branch.
Step 1 — Register an account
1. Go to clearance.nbi.gov.ph (the only official portal — beware of lookalike domains).
2. Click Register / Sign Up and create your account with your email address.
3. Verify your email if the portal asks (check spam/junk for the verification message).
4. Log in. You will land on your applicant dashboard, which holds your applications, reference numbers, and appointment records.
Step 2 — Fill out the application form
1. Click Apply for Clearance (or equivalent).
2. Complete every field: personal information, family background, and other details the form asks for.
3. Select your purpose (local employment, travel abroad, visa, business, etc.). The fee is the same regardless of purpose — anyone quoting a “special rate” for a specific purpose is not legitimate.
4. Review everything twice, then submit. Your application generates a reference number — screenshot it immediately. This is your gate pass at the branch.
Step 3 — Book your appointment
1. Choose your preferred NBI branch or satellite office. The portal lists all branches and satellite offices — pick one you can reach reliably, because you must appear in person.
2. Pick an available date and time slot. Slots fill fastest on Mondays and right after holidays; mid-week afternoons are usually easier.
3. Confirm. The reference number now doubles as your appointment slip — print it or keep the screenshot on your phone.
Step 4 — Pay the fee
Pay ₱155 (₱130 clearance + ₱25 system fee) through any of these:
| Channel | Notes |
|---|---|
| GCash / Maya | Fastest; payment posts almost immediately |
| 7-Eleven (CLiQQ) | Cash-friendly; keep the machine receipt |
| Bayad Center / ECPay | Over-the-counter |
| Online banking (BDO, BPI, UnionBank, etc.) | Usually via the DragonPay gateway |
Keep your payment receipt alongside your reference number. A small convenience fee (around ₱5–₱30) may be added by some e-wallets or counters — that goes to the payment provider, not the NBI.
Step 5 — Appear for biometrics
On your appointment date, bring:
- Your reference number (printed or on your phone — the QR code is your gate pass)
- Payment receipt
- At least one valid government-issued photo ID (two is safer)
At the branch:
1. Present your reference number at the verification counter.
2. Photo taken on-site.
3. Fingerprints captured digitally.
4. Digital signature.
5. Wait for encoding and verification. If there is no HIT, your clearance is typically printed the same day. If there is a HIT, you will be told when to return (see what HIT means).
How to Reschedule or Cancel Your NBI Appointment
Plans change — the portal lets you move your slot, but there are strict limits.
To reschedule (before your appointment date):
1. Log in at clearance.nbi.gov.ph and open Transactions.
2. Find your active reference number and click View Details, then Reschedule.
3. Pick a new branch, date, and time from the available slots (usually within the next 30 days).
4. Confirm — the portal generates a new appointment slip. Save or print it.
The rules, per 2026 guides: you may reschedule only once per transaction, and only until 11:59 p.m. of the day before your original appointment. After that cutoff the transaction is tagged as missed. Rescheduling is free and your payment carries over.
To cancel: open the same Transactions view and choose Cancel instead — the slot is released. (First-time jobseekers: cancelling and rebooking does not consume your one-time fee waiver; the waiver is used only when a clearance is actually released.)
What if I missed my NBI appointment? If you already paid, you typically get a grace period of about 15 days from the original date during which you can still complete the process at your chosen branch — check the exact validity shown under your transaction details, because that is authoritative for your case. If you never paid, the slot is simply cancelled and you rebook. Once the window closes, you file a brand-new application and pay the ₱155 again. There is no penalty beyond losing the slot.
After claiming: check the details
Before leaving the counter, check the printed clearance: your name spelling, birthdate, and the NBI ID number (you will need this number for future Quick Renewals). Errors are far easier to fix on the spot than later.
Buod sa Tagalog
Pumunta sa clearance.nbi.gov.ph at gumawa ng account. Punan ang form nang eksakto ayon sa iyong valid ID (pangalan, birthday, civil status). Pumili ng branch at schedule, magbayad ng ₱155 (GCash, Maya, 7-Eleven, bangko), at pumunta sa araw ng appointment dala ang reference number at valid ID. Kunan ka ng litrato, fingerprint, at pirma — at kung walang HIT, makukuha mo rin sa parehong araw ang clearance.
Troubleshooting
No OTP / verification email arrives. Check spam/junk, wait 10 minutes, then resend. Some email providers throttle the portal’s messages — a Gmail or Outlook address works more reliably than lesser-known providers.
Payment made but portal still shows “unpaid.” E-wallet payments post almost immediately; over-the-counter payments can take hours. Wait, then check your dashboard. If it still has not posted after 24 hours, keep your payment receipt and contact NBI support through the portal’s help channel before paying again — double payments are hard to reverse.
Slot calendar shows no available dates. Slots open in batches. Check early morning or try a satellite office instead of the main branch — they are consistently less crowded.
Portal logs me out or crashes mid-form. Use Chrome or Edge (not in-app browsers), clear cache, and complete the form in one sitting during off-peak hours.
“Account already exists” but I never registered. Someone may have used your email, or you registered before and forgot. Use the password-recovery option rather than creating a duplicate account — duplicates can cause record mismatches later.
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Related guides: NBI Clearance Hub · Requirements · Fee · Renewal · HIT Meaning
Last verified: 2026-10-05. Official source: clearance.nbi.gov.ph. Fee (₱130 + ₱25 = ₱155) per 2026 guides including respicio.ph and nbiappointmentlogin.com. Payment channels (GCash/Maya/7-Eleven/Bayad Center/bank via DragonPay) per en.guideph.com. Step labels may vary with portal updates.
Always confirm details on the official government portal:
Visit the official NBI portalFrequently asked questions
Can I walk in without an online appointment?
No. The NBI only accommodates applicants with a valid online appointment — register and book first at clearance.nbi.gov.ph.
How long does the whole process take?
Online steps take 15–30 minutes. The branch visit is usually under an hour for no-HIT cases, and the clearance is often released the same day. A HIT adds roughly 5–10 working days.
What if I miss my appointment date?
Check your portal dashboard for a reschedule option before your date — policies vary, so do not assume you can simply walk in another day.
Do I need to bring photos?
No — your photo is taken digitally at the branch. (The 2x2 photo requirement applies only to the mailed/abroad process.)
Can someone else apply on my behalf?
No — biometrics (fingerprints, photo) require your personal appearance. The representative route applies only to applicants abroad.
Is the online registration itself free?
Yes. You only pay the ₱155 clearance fee (or nothing, once, as a qualified first-time jobseeker).
How do I reschedule my NBI appointment?
Log in to clearance.nbi.gov.ph, go to Transactions, open your active reference, and click Reschedule — then pick a new branch, date, and time. You may reschedule only once, and only until 11:59 p.m. the day before your original slot. It is free; your payment carries over.
Can I reschedule my NBI appointment more than once?
No — the portal allows one reschedule per transaction. If you miss the rescheduled slot too, you will need a new application.
How do I cancel my NBI appointment?
In the same Transactions view, choose Cancel on your active reference. The slot is released immediately. If you still need a clearance, book a fresh appointment afterwards.
What if I missed my NBI appointment?
If you paid, check your transaction details — there is usually about a 15-day grace period to complete the process at your branch. If you never paid, the booking is cancelled automatically. After the window closes, file a new application and pay again.
