Is NBI Open on Saturday or Sunday? Complete Weekend Schedule 2026

NBI Weekend Policy: Official Guidelines

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) follows regular Philippine government office hours. This means most branches do not operate on weekends.

Regular NBI Branches (Government Buildings)

• Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Saturday: Closed
• Sunday: Closed

Mall-Based NBI Satellite Branches

• Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (some up to 9:00 PM)
• Saturday: Some branches are open from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (or up to 10:00 PM)
• Sunday: Closed

Why NBI Has Limited Weekend Operations

This weekend policy exists because:

• NBI is a government agency that follows Malacañang’s official work calendar
• Most NBI employees work Monday to Friday only
• Mall-based branches can operate longer due to private mall schedules
• Weekend operations are possible only at select locations with limited staff

Important Reminder

Even if an NBI branch is open on Saturday, you must have an online appointment.
Walk-ins are not allowed at any branch.

Which NBI Branches Are Open on Saturday?

Based on 2026 schedules and reports that SM North EDSA operates from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on weekends, some SM mall–based NBI satellite branches are open on Saturdays.

Metro Manila Saturday Locations

Provincial Mall-Based Branches (Select Locations)

Some provincial malls may also operate NBI satellite offices on Saturday:

• SM City Cebu
• SM Lanang Premier (Davao)
• SM City Iloilo
• Ayala Center Cebu

⚠️ CRITICAL: Saturday schedules change frequently and vary by location. Some branches may suspend Saturday operations without notice. Always call ahead or check the official NBI website before visiting.

Are NBI Offices Open on Sunday?

No. All NBI offices are closed on Sundays.
This applies to both government-based branches and mall-based satellite branches.

There are no exceptions to the Sunday closure even for:

• Emergency applications
• Urgent travel needs
• Last-minute job requirements

When Could NBI Possibly Open on a Sunday?

NBI operations on a Sunday would happen only in extremely rare cases, such as:

• A national emergency officially declared by the President
• A special government directive for large-scale or mass processing
• Disaster response or recovery situations

If any of these occur, NBI would announce it publicly in advance through its official channels.

Bottom Line

If you need your NBI Clearance urgently, do not plan around Sunday availability.
NBI offices will not be open on Sunday.

How to Check If Your NBI Branch Is Open on Saturday

Before visiting an NBI office on a Saturday, always verify first using one of the methods below.

Method 1: Call the Branch Directly (Most Reliable)

Calling is the fastest and most accurate way to confirm Saturday operations.

Important contact numbers:

• National Bureau of Investigation Main Office:
  (02) 8525-2036 / (02) 8524-3443
• SM North EDSA NBI:
  Call the mall’s customer service at (02) 8937-5896

Questions to ask:

• “Is the NBI satellite office open this Saturday?”
• “What are your Saturday operating hours?”
• “Do you require an online appointment on Saturday?”

Method 2: Check the Official NBI Website

Go to: https://clearance.nbi.gov.ph

Look for:

• Announcements about Saturday or weekend operations
• Branch-specific schedules
• System maintenance notices that may affect services

Method 3: Check the Mall’s Official Website or Facebook Page

This method is useful for mall-based NBI branches.

What to do:

• Visit the mall’s official website or Facebook page
• Look for government service center hours
• Check if NBI is listed as open on Saturdays

Example:
The SM Supermalls website (www.smsupermalls.com) shows mall hours and tenant information.

Method 4: Check NBI’s Official Facebook Page

NBI regularly posts updates about:

• Special Saturday operations
• Holiday schedules
• Temporary branch closures
• System maintenance

Follow: National Bureau of Investigation – NBI (Official)

Why Most NBI Offices Are Closed on Weekends

Knowing the reasons behind weekend closures can help you plan better and avoid wasted trips.

Reason 1: NBI Is a Government Agency

The National Bureau of Investigation follows the Philippine government work calendar set by Malacañang.
This means NBI offices operate Monday to Friday only, excluding weekends and official Philippine holidays, in line with standard civil service working hours.

Reason 2: Limited Staffing on Weekends

Each NBI branch needs a full team to operate properly, including:

• Biometric technicians
• Background verification officers
• Photo and fingerprint specialists
• IT system operators
• Administrative staff

Managing complete weekend staffing across 100+ NBI branches nationwide is logistically difficult and expensive, which is why most offices remain closed.

Reason 3: System Integration and Maintenance

The NBI Clearance system is connected to several critical platforms, such as:

• Criminal and national records databases
• Government ID verification systems
• Online payment processing platforms

System updates and maintenance are often scheduled on weekends, making full public operations unreliable during that time.

Reason 4: Appointment Slot Management

The online appointment system is designed mainly for weekday processing.

• Saturday slots (available only at some mall-based branches) are very limited
• These slots often get fully booked weeks in advance
• Demand is especially high among working Filipinos who cannot visit on weekdays

Saturday vs. Weekday: Which Should You Choose?

Recommendation: If you can take a weekday off, do that instead. Weekday visits are smoother, faster, and less crowded. Saturday should be your backup option.

What If Saturday NBI Slots Are Already Full?

If you can’t find an available Saturday appointment, don’t panic. Try these proven alternatives.

Option 1: Check Other Mall-Based NBI Branches

Saturday availability depends on the branch. If one location is fully booked (like SM North EDSA), try checking:

• SM Manila
• SM Megamall
• Robinsons Galleria
• Other provincial SM malls, which often have lighter demand

Different branches release and fill slots at different speeds.

Option 2: Check Daily for Cancellations

Many applicants cancel or reschedule, which frees up slots.
Check the NBI appointment portal during these peak update times:

• Early morning: 6:00 – 8:00 AM
• Lunch break: 12:00 – 2:00 PM
• Late evening: 9:00 – 11:00 PM

Newly opened slots often appear during these hours.

Option 3: Take a Weekday Half-Day Off (If Possible)

If Saturday isn’t working out, a weekday visit can actually be faster.

Best strategy:

• Visit Tuesday to Thursday mornings (shortest lines)
• Avoid Mondays (start-of-week rush)
• Avoid Fridays (weekend demand)
• Arrive around 7:30 AM if the branch opens at 8:00 AM

Option 4: Use Your Leave Days Strategically

If you plan to file leave, choose days with lower foot traffic:

• Tuesday or Wednesday (mid-week is least crowded)
• The day after a long weekend, when many people extend their vacations

Saturday NBI Visit: What to Expect

If you manage to book a Saturday NBI appointment, be prepared for larger crowds and longer wait times compared to weekdays.

Arrival Time Matters

• Arrive 30–60 minutes before your scheduled appointment
• Saturday branches fill up very quickly
• Late arrivals may lose their slot, even with a confirmed appointment

Expect Longer Processing Time

• Average Saturday processing: 2–4 hours
• Average weekday processing: 1–2 hours
• Heavy crowds slow down every step of the process

Stricter Slot Management

On Saturdays, NBI branches strictly control daily capacity:

• Some branches stop accepting applicants early once quotas are reached
• Missing your time slot may result in being turned away
• Walk-ins are not allowed appointment-only policy is strictly enforced

Crowd Levels at Every Station

Expect long lines at all processing points:

• Registration counter
• Payment verification
• Photo and fingerprint capture
• Document encoding and final verification

Best Saturday Time Slots (If You Can Choose)

• 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM: First batch, usually the fastest
• 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch-hour rush, slower processing
• 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Very crowded, risk of hitting daily quota
• After 5:00 PM: Often no longer accepting applicants, even with appointments

Common Saturday NBI Appointment Issues & How to Fix Them

Saturday appointments are limited and high-demand, so problems can happen. Here’s how to handle the most common ones.

Issue 1: “No Saturday slots available for the next month”

What to do:

• Check different mall-based NBI branches (each branch has its own quota)
• Set a daily alarm at 6:00 AM to look for cancellation slots
• If urgent, consider booking a weekday appointment instead

Issue 2: “The branch is closed even though I have a Saturday appointment”

This can happen if:

• System maintenance was announced
• The mall had an emergency closure
• The branch had staffing issues

What to do:

• Check your email and the NBI appointment portal
• NBI usually sends automatic rebooking instructions
• Follow the rebooking options provided no need to repay

Issue 3: “I arrived late and they won’t accept me”

Why this happens:

• Saturday slots are strictly timed because of heavy crowds

What to do:

• You’ll need to rebook for another date
• Set 2–3 alarms on your appointment day to avoid missing your slot

Issue 4: “My payment isn’t showing in the system yet”

What to know:

• Payment confirmation can take up to 24 hours to reflect

Best practice:

• Pay at least 2 days before your appointment
• Bring physical proof of payment (printed receipt or phone screenshot)

If getting a Saturday slot isn’t working out, these options are often faster and less stressful.

Alternative 1: Ask for Flex-Time at Work

Many employers allow flexible arrangements, such as:

• Flexible hours (arrive late or leave early one day)
• Work-from-home setup (start work later after visiting NBI)
• Compressed work week (extra hours on other days)

It’s worth checking with your HR department a short request can save hours of waiting.

Alternative 2: Use Your Leave Days Strategically

If you can file leave, timing matters.

Best days to visit:

• Tuesday or Wednesday morning (least crowded)
• The day after a long weekend (many people extend their vacations)

You’ll usually finish much faster than dealing with Saturday crowds.

Alternative 3: Visit a Provincial Branch on a Weekday

If you’re already traveling outside the city:

• Provincial NBI branches are less crowded
• Same-day processing is more likely
• Weekday appointment slots are easier to secure

This is one of the most underrated but effective options.

Alternative 4: Plan Early for Your Next Renewal

If this is for renewal:

• NBI Clearance is valid for 1 year
• Mark your expiry date
• Plan renewal on a weekday you can take off
• Avoid last-minute booking stress

Important Reminders for Weekend Planning

Conclusion

Most NBI offices are closed on weekends, with no operations on Sundays and very limited Saturday availability at select mall-based branches. While Saturday appointments can be convenient for working individuals, they come with high demand, longer processing times, and strict slot enforcement.

If Saturday slots are unavailable or fully booked, weekday appointments especially Tuesday or Wednesday mornings are often faster and less stressful. Planning ahead, checking multiple branches, monitoring cancellations, and verifying branch schedules can save you hours of waiting and prevent wasted trips.

FAQ’S