How Much Is NBI Clearance 2026? Complete Fee Guide

You want to know exactly how much NBI clearance costs in 2026 before you book your appointment and pay.

The answer is ₱155 total for most applicants but the actual amount you pay depends on your payment method, whether you choose delivery, and whether you qualify as a first-time jobseeker.

This guide gives you every fee, every scenario, and every payment option so you know exactly what to expect before you open the NBI portal.

If you haven’t applied before, you can follow this complete guide on how to register NBI clearance online step by step to avoid mistakes during booking.

What Is the NBI Clearance Fee in 2026?

The NBI clearance fee in 2026 is ₱155 total for a new application when you choose branch pickup as your claiming method.

The NBI charges two separate amounts and combines them into one payment.

Fee Breakdown for New Application (Branch Pickup)

You pay this amount once, online, before your appointment date. You do not pay anything at the branch on the day you visit.

The same ₱155 total applies whether you are applying for employment, visa, travel abroad, business permits, or any other purpose. The NBI does not charge more based on the purpose of your clearance.

⚠️ Warning: If any website or “fixer” outside the NBI portal tells you the fee is higher than ₱155 for a standard branch pickup application, do not pay. The official rate is ₱155 at clearance.nbi.gov.ph and nowhere else. Paying through unofficial channels risks losing your money and getting a fraudulent clearance.

💡 Pro Tip: Pay as soon as you generate your reference number. Your appointment slot is not confirmed until payment is completed. Many applicants lose their preferred schedule because they wait too long to pay and the slot gets taken by someone else.

→ See all accepted payment channels in detail: How to Pay NBI Clearance Online 2026: All Payment Methods

How Much Is NBI Clearance Renewal in 2026?

The NBI clearance renewal fee is exactly the same as a new application for the branch pickup option. You pay ₱155 total.

The NBI does not charge more for renewal. Whether this is your first clearance or your tenth, the base fee stays the same.

Renewal Fee Comparison

Quick Renewal is available if your previous NBI clearance was issued from October 16, 2016 onwards and your personal details have not changed. You apply fully online and choose either branch pickup or door-to-door delivery.

You can read this complete NBI clearance renewal guide with requirements and process to see if you qualify for Quick Renewal.

If your details changed after your last clearance such as a name change due to marriage the NBI treats your renewal as a new application. You still pay ₱155 and go to a branch for biometrics.

💡 Pro Tip: Never throw away your expired NBI clearance. You need the old NBI ID number printed on it to access the Quick Renewal option online. Without that number, the system cannot find your previous record and you will have to apply as a new applicant.

To understand the full process before paying, check this step-by-step NBI clearance application guide for beginners.

How Much Does NBI Clearance Door-to-Door Delivery Cost?

If you choose door-to-door delivery instead of picking up your clearance at the branch, the total fee increases significantly.

The NBI uses partner couriers including LBC for clearance delivery. The delivery fee is charged on top of the standard ₱155 clearance fee.

Delivery Fee Breakdown

The exact delivery amount for your area appears at checkout on the NBI portal before you confirm payment. You select your delivery option during the application process and cannot change it after payment.

Before choosing delivery, it’s helpful to review the NBI clearance branch locations and availability near you to decide if pickup is faster.

Delivery typically takes 3 to 7 working days within Metro Manila and 7 to 10 working days for Visayas and Mindanao regions.

⚠️ Warning: You must select door-to-door delivery during your online application before paying. You cannot add delivery after you have already paid. If you paid for branch pickup but cannot go to the branch, you will need to send an authorized representative with a valid ID and authorization letter to claim it for you.

💡 Pro Tip: If you live in Metro Manila and your clearance comes out with no HIT, branch pickup is faster and cheaper. You get it the same day at the branch. Delivery takes 3 to 7 days and costs ₱200 more. Choose delivery only if you genuinely cannot visit the branch or if you live far outside Metro Manila.

Can You Get Free NBI Clearance as a First-Time Jobseeker?

Yes. Under Republic Act 11261, also known as the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, qualified Filipino citizens can get one free NBI clearance when applying for their first job.

This is not a discount. The fee is fully waived you pay ₱0 for the clearance processing fee.

Who Qualifies for Free NBI Clearance

What Documents You Need to Bring

You need three documents to claim the free clearance at the NBI branch:

1. Barangay Certification stating you are a first-time jobseeker and have lived in your barangay for at least 6 months (issued not more than 1 year before your NBI appointment)
2. Oath of Undertaking signed before your Barangay Captain or authorized officer
3. Two valid government-issued IDs (original)

How to Apply for Free NBI Clearance

Step 1: Visit your Barangay Hall and tell the staff you are applying for the first-time jobseeker benefit under RA 11261. Get your Barangay Certification and sign the Oath of Undertaking.

Step 2: Go to firsttimejobseekers.nbi.gov.ph not the regular NBI portal. This is the dedicated website for RA 11261 applications.

Step 3: Register, fill out your information, and book your appointment. The system will show ₱0 as your fee.

Make sure you also check the full list of valid IDs for NBI clearance application to avoid rejection at the branch.

Step 4: Attend your appointment and bring all three documents.

⚠️ Warning: This benefit is one-time only and cannot be used again once claimed. If you miss your appointment, you lose the free privilege and cannot rebook under RA 11261. Treat your appointment date seriously. Also, this waiver applies only to the clearance fee for employment purposes. If you are applying for travel, visa, or gun license, the standard ₱155 fee applies.

💡 Pro Tip: NBI branches especially the main Taft Avenue office strictly check the format of your Barangay Certification. The certification must specifically state that you are a first-time jobseeker, that you have lived in the barangay for at least 6 months, and that the purpose is employment. If any of these statements are missing or incorrectly worded, the NBI officer may reject the document and ask you to pay the full ₱155. Get the Barangay Certification from a barangay that knows the NBI format, or bring a printed template from the NBI website to show them.

How Much Is NBI Clearance Per Payment Method?

The base NBI clearance fee is ₱130 for everyone. The system fee varies slightly depending on which payment channel you use.

Fee by Payment Method

GCash adds ₱30 instead of ₱25 because GCash applies its own e-wallet transaction fee on top of the NBI system fee. All other channels charge the standard ₱25.

All of these channels are available through the official NBI portal. You generate your reference number first, then choose your payment method.

If you’re unsure which option to choose, here’s a detailed guide on how to pay NBI clearance online using GCash, 7-Eleven, and other methods.

💡 Pro Tip: If you want to save ₱5 compared to GCash, use 7-Eleven CLiQQ instead. Walk to the CLiQQ kiosk inside any 7-Eleven store, enter your reference number, and pay ₱155 cash. You get your receipt instantly and payment reflects in the NBI portal usually within 30 minutes to a few hours.

Does a HIT Result Cost More?

No. A HIT result does not increase your NBI clearance fee.

You pay ₱155 once during your online application. If the NBI finds a name match during verification and gives you a HIT, you do not pay any additional amount. The extra verification time is included in your original payment.

The only additional cost you might face from a HIT is indirect. If your clearance is not released on the same day and you need to return to the branch on a different date, you may spend on transportation. But the NBI itself charges nothing extra.

HIT processing typically takes 3 to 10 business days depending on the case. You return to the branch on the date given to you and claim your clearance at no extra charge.

If you’re confused about this status, here’s a full explanation of NBI clearance HIT meaning and what to do next.

Most Common Fee Mistake Filipinos Make

The mistake: Paying the NBI clearance fee twice because the first payment did not immediately show up in the portal.

This happens regularly. An applicant pays via GCash or 7-Eleven, sees “Pending” in their NBI portal, panics, and pays again with a different method. Now they have two payments for one application. The NBI portal only recognizes one payment per reference number. The second payment gets stuck and is very difficult to refund.

How to avoid it:

After you pay, wait at least 2 to 4 hours before checking your NBI portal status. Payments made through 7-Eleven and over-the-counter channels can take up to 24 hours to reflect. GCash and Maya are usually faster, but still not instant.

If your portal still shows “Pending” after 24 hours, contact your payment provider first not the NBI. They can confirm whether the transaction went through on their end. Only pay a second time if your payment provider confirms the first transaction failed and was reversed.

FAQ

Final Summary

The NBI clearance fee in 2026 is ₱155 for branch pickup, ₱160 if you pay via GCash, and ₱355 or more if you choose door-to-door delivery and it is completely free if you qualify as a first-time jobseeker under RA 11261.