NBI Clearance Price for First-Time-Job Seekers and Renewal Online 2026
Whether you’re applying for an NBI Clearance for the first time or need to pay your NBI Clearance fee after receiving a reference number, knowing the correct NBI Clearance price can help you avoid overpaying.
The standard fee is around ₱155, but your final amount may vary depending on the payment method and any applicable service charges.
This guide explains the NBI Clearance fee, total cost, payment methods, and other charges so you know exactly how much to pay and how to complete your payment correctly. Before you book, check the NBI clearance requirements and how long your NBI clearance validity lasts.
What Is the NBI Clearance Fee
The NBI Clearance fee is the official processing fee collected by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), an agency under the Department of Justice (DOJ), whenever you apply for or renew an NBI Clearance through clearance.nbi.gov.ph. It is not simply an additional service charge. The fee covers the processing required to verify your identity, check the NBI database for criminal records, capture your biometrics, and prepare your clearance document.
The fee applies to every applicant, regardless of the reason for getting the clearance. Whether you need an NBI Clearance for employment, travel, business permits, or general background verification, you still need to pay the required processing fee when submitting your application or renewal.
How to Pay NBI Clearance Fee: Channels and the Reference Number
You can pay your NBI Appointment fees with your own NBI Reference Number and a Valid Payment Channel that accepts the fees. The process is very easy; stay connected with the guide, and you will learn it in a few minutes.
What Is the NBI Reference Number
Your NBI Reference Number is the unique code generated after you choose your branch and appointment schedule, before you make the payment. It links your payment to your NBI Clearance application, and you need it when paying through an e-wallet, bank, or authorized payment partner.
After successful payment, your application status should update to Paid using the same reference number. Keep your reference number and payment receipt because you may need them on your appointment day if there is a problem with your payment status.
NOTE: You can save the reference number as a screenshot, printed copy, or QR code. Also, pay within the allowed payment period because an unpaid reference number may expire, and you may need to create a new appointment.
Confirmed Official Payment Methods
NBI’s own website confirms five payment channels: GCash, Maya, 7-Eleven (through CLiQQ kiosks), Bayad Center, and online banking with select partner banks. These are the methods you’ll see listed directly on the official portal when you check out, and they’re the safest options to rely on.
Category | Fees | How to Pay | Other Requirements |
GCash | ₱130 base + ₱25–30 service fee | Open GCash, go to Bills, then Government, select NBI Clearance, enter your reference number, and confirm the amount | Active GCash account, reference number from portal |
Maya | ₱130 base + ₱25–30 service fee | Open Maya app, go to Bills Payment, select NBI Clearance, enter reference number, confirm and pay | Active Maya account; reference number from portal |
7-Eleven (CLiQQ) | ₱130 base + ₱25–30 service fee | Visit any 7-Eleven with a CLiQQ kiosk, select Bills Payment, choose NBI Clearance, enter reference number, pay in cash | Reference number, exact or approximate cash amount |
Bayad Center | ₱130 base + ₱25–30 service fee | Visit a Bayad Center branch, tell the teller you’re paying for NBI Clearance, provide the reference number, and pay in cash | Reference number; valid ID may be requested |
Online Banking | ₱130 base + ₱25–30 service fee | Log in to your partner bank’s online banking, select Bills Payment, choose NBI Clearance as biller, enter reference number, confirm | Active online banking account with a partner bank (BDO, BPI, Metrobank, etc.) |
Credit or Debit Card | ₱164 (reported) | Select the card payment option, enter your card details, and complete the payment | Valid credit or debit card; reference number |
Other Ways to Pay NBI Clearance Over the Counter
If 7-Eleven and Bayad Center are not near you, you still have other cash payment options. These are useful for applicants in provinces and smaller towns.
Cebuana Lhuillier
You can pay at any Cebuana Lhuillier branch.
Palawan Express
You can also pay through Palawan Express.
ECPay
Some ECPay outlets also accept NBI payments.
NBI Clearance Prices at a Glance
The full NBI clearance cost, broken down by category, with all figures confirmed against nbi.gov.ph, is given below:
Category | Price |
New Application | ₱155–160 |
Renewal | ₱155–160 |
First-Time Job Seeker | Free |
Mailed / Abroad | ₱200 |
Door-to-Door Delivery (Metro Manila) | ₱355 |
Door-to-Door Delivery (Outside NCR) | ₱455 |
Why the Price Shows as ₱130 in Some Places and ₱155 in Others
This is where much of the confusion about the NBI Clearance fee comes from. The ₱130 amount is the base clearance fee charged by the NBI for processing the application and checking your records. However, this is not always the final amount you pay. A separate e-payment or system service fee, usually around ₱25 to ₱30, may be added depending on the payment channel you choose.
When these charges are combined, the total amount at checkout is usually around ₱155 to ₱160. So, when a website lists ₱130 as the NBI Clearance price, it is referring only to the base fee and not the additional payment charge. The amount you actually pay can therefore be higher, depending on the payment method selected.
First-Time Job Seekers
If this is your first time applying for a job and you have never obtained an NBI Clearance before, you may qualify for a free NBI Clearance. Under Republic Act No. 11261 (First-Time Jobseekers Assistance Act), eligible first-time job seekers can have the applicable NBI Clearance fees waived. If you want to apply for it, visit the home page discussions.
Applying From Abroad: Mailed Clearance Price
application process, with a different fee structure. According to the information provided, the mailed clearance costs ₱200 or its US Dollar equivalent, consisting of the ₱130 clearance fee plus a ₱70 mailing charge.
How to Apply from Abroad
The overseas application process is different from a regular local application because the applicant generally cannot appear personally at an NBI branch. The representative and authorized fingerprinting location help complete the process while the applicant remains overseas.
Door-to-Door Delivery: Is It Worth the Extra Cost?
If you’d rather avoid a second visit to an NBI branch, the NBI online renewal system may offer a door-to-door delivery option, allowing your clearance to be shipped directly to your address.
Several independent sources report delivery charges of around ₱200 for Metro Manila, with higher rates for provincial addresses. This delivery charge is added to the standard ₱155 clearance fee for branch pickup. Delivery may take approximately five to ten business days after your application has been processed.
How Door-to-Door Delivery Works
Is It Worth It?
Door-to-door delivery is worth considering if you want to avoid another branch visit. However, delivery costs extra, and the exact rates have not been directly confirmed on NBI’s official portal pages, so the amounts above should be treated as estimates.
Branch pickup is better if you want to avoid extra charges and delivery waiting time, while delivery offers more convenience for eligible Quick Renewal applicants.
How to Avoid Overpaying or Getting Scammed
Use only the official portal
Check for a reference number
A legitimate transaction should provide one after your application.
Use official payment channels
Be suspicious of requests to send money to a personal e-wallet number.
Already paid a fake site?
Don’t pay again immediately. Contact your payment provider first to check your options.
Keep your proof
Save all receipts, payment confirmations, and screenshots in case you need to dispute the payment.
NBI Clearance Price FAQs
Final Thoughts
When paying for your NBI Clearance, choose the payment method that is most convenient for you. GCash is usually the easiest option for online payment, while 7-Eleven CLiQQ is a practical choice if you prefer paying in cash. For your appointment, choose an official branch that is convenient for you and has a schedule that fits your plans.
Most importantly, keep your NBI Reference Number private and do not share it unnecessarily. After payment, save your receipt or payment confirmation and keep it until your clearance has been released, as you may need it during your appointment if there is a problem with your payment record. Double-check your appointment details and payment information before you finish.