NBI First Time Job Seekers | Free Clearance 2026 (RA 11261)

You will get your NBI First Time Job Seekers Clearance without paying and correctly on the first try once you know the real sequence of applying: accessing the right portal, getting a reference number, and visiting the FTJS Lane (Branch), which is guided in detail. The 155 ₱ fee is waived for first-time job seekers. Click the button to start your NBI First Time Job Seeker Clearance Now: 

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The guide explains everything, whether you qualify, including gray areas like OJT, Internships, and informal work, requirements, and how to register and book your appointment (what to do at each option in the portal) step by step. 

What Is NBI First Time Job Seekers?

NBI First Time Job Seekers is a government benefit under Republic Act No. 11261, also known as the First-Time Jobseekers Assistance Act (FTJAA). The law helps eligible Filipinos who are looking for work for the first time by removing certain fees for required pre-employment documents, including the NBI Clearance government fee.

The program is implemented and monitored through cooperation among government agencies, with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) leading the Inter-Agency Monitoring Committee. In simple terms, when you apply for your first job and you qualify under the law, your NBI clearance fee will be waived, and you can do NBI registration and get your NBI document for free.

What Is NBI First Time Job Seekers?

Does OJT or an Internship Count as Employment?

Doing OJT or an internship does not automatically mean you are no longer a first-time jobseeker. The important thing is to look at what kind of program it was and whether you were paid for the work. 

You are still Qualified When: 

  • School OJT / required training: It does not automatically count as a job.
  • Internship: It does not automatically disqualify you. You need to look at the type of internship and whether you were paid.
  • Student job: Being a student does not automatically stop you from qualifying.
  • Being a beneficiary of the Government Internship Program (GIP) or the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) does not by itself disqualify you from being a first-time jobseeker under RA 11261. 

NOTE: If you do not know if your OJT internship or part-time work affects your first-time jobseeker status, ask your barangay official first. They can tell you if you can get a Barangay Certification for the benefit. This helps you avoid giving wrong information.

Where PESO Fits Into Your NBI First Time Job Seeker Application?

Before you use the NBI portal, it helps to know who does what. Public Employment Service Office (PESO) has a different role under RA 11261: it helps you by guiding you and sending you to the government offices that provide your required pre-employment documents.

Where PESO Fits Into Your NBI First Time Job Seeker Application 

The correct order

  • Get your Barangay Certification and Oath of Undertaking from your Barangay Office first.
  • Bring both to your city or municipal PESO office, or register online through PhilJobNet at peis.philjobnet.gov.ph, where staff can guide you through the process and register you using NSRP Form 1, the standard DOLE Jobseeker Registration Form.
  • Apply for your NBI Clearance through the First-Time Job Seeker process.

What NBI actually requires ?

This part is important: NBI’s own Citizen’s Charter lists only your Barangay Certification and two valid government-issued IDs as requirements. It does not list PESO registration, NSRP Form 1, or a PESO referral. These are PESO services that help with your job search and connect you to other RA 11261-covered offices, not documents that NBI checks at the counter.

Why go to PESO anyway ?

PESO registration isn’t required for NBI to give you the fee waiver because your Barangay Certification alone is usually enough. But it gives you a second record from a DOLE-related office showing your status, which can be useful if your certificate is ever questioned. 

It can also give you access to extra help that some cities offer along with the waiver, such as job fairs or one-time cash aid in places such as Quezon City and Naga City. This can be different from one city to another and is not confirmed across the whole country, so ask your PESO officer directly.

Simple flow: Barangay Certification and Oath of Undertaking → PESO help, where useful → NBI First-Time Job Seeker application

How to Register, Apply, and Schedule Your Appointment in 7 Steps (FTJS Portal)?

Apply for first time Job seekers Now !

Step 1: Go to the correct portal

  • Visit firsttimejobseekers.nbi.gov.ph, the dedicated portal built under RA 11261
  • Do not use clearance.nbi.gov.ph, which is the regular paid applicant site

Step 2: Register your account and do a NBI first time job seeker login

Step 2: Register your account and do a NBI first time job seeker login
  • Fill out your personal details such as Name, mobile number, birth date, a valid phone number, a valid email, and click Sign up. 
  • You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number. Enter it in the First-Time Job Seeker portal and click Submit.
  • After doing this, you will receive an activation link to your email; click the Activate button there. You will go back to the homepage again; at the top, you will see sections to add your email and password. Fill them in and click Sign in, and you will move to an Applicant Information form.

Step 3: Apply for Clearance

  • Fill in the required details and click Save Information, and then you will receive a profile preview. Click Submit . Click Apply for NBI Clearance First Time Job Seeker and enter your ID and ID Number.

Step 4: Select your branch and schedule

Step 4: Select your branch and schedule
  • Choose your preferred NBI Clearance Center
  • Pick an available date and time slot
  • Confirm and save your appointment confirmation and reference number
  • Both are required to enter the branch on your appointment day.

Step 5: Go to the FTJS Lane at the Biometric Section

  • Proceed to the branch on your scheduled date
  • Head to the separate lane for first-time job seekers, apart from regular applicants
  • Present your Barangay Certification, Oath of Undertaking, reference number, and ID for checking

Step 6: Complete biometrics and database verification

  • Photograph capture
  • Fingerprint capture
  • Electronic signature capture
  • Your name is checked against the NBI Criminal Database

Step 7: Receive your result and clearance

Step 7 Receive your result and clearance
  • No HIT: your NBI First Time Job Seeker Clearance is printed and released, often the same day, with counter processing taking roughly two minutes and fifteen seconds per NBI’s Citizen’s Charter
  • With HIT: a Quality Control verification step follows, typically resolved within five to ten working days, after which your clearance is released free of charge

Requirements: What to Bring ?

NBI Clearance requirements and NBI First Time Job Seekers requirements are different. Before going to the NBI branch, prepare these documents for your NBI First Time Job Seeker (FTJS) Clearance:

1. Barangay Certification

Get this from your Barangay Office. Tell the barangay staff that you are a first-time jobseeker and need a Barangay Certification for the First-Time Jobseekers Assistance Act (RA 11261).

Make sure the certification is on the barangay’s official letterhead, has the required dry seal, and is signed by the Punong Barangay or an authorized Barangay Officer. It should also clearly state that you are a first-time jobseeker.

2. Two Valid Government-Issued IDs or Acceptable Certificates

Bring two valid government-issued IDs to the NBI branch. The current NBI Citizen’s Charter also allows certain acceptable certificates, such as a Birth Certificate or Voter’s Registration Certificate, where applicable.

Keep the documents original and valid so the NBI can verify your identity during the application and biometric process.

3. Oath of Undertaking

Oath of Undertaking is a short statement form where you promise that the information you gave is true and that you are a first-time jobseeker. It is usually completed at the barangay hall together with your Barangay Certification.

Complete the Oath of Undertaking as part of the FTJS process. It is your formal declaration that you meet the requirements to receive the first-time jobseeker benefit under RA 11261.CHECK OUT THE TEMPLATE:

OATH OF UNDERTAKING TEMPLATE

Before You Leave for NBI

Keep your Barangay Certification and two valid IDs/acceptable certificates together so you can present them at the FTJS lane in the NBI Biometric Section. The NBI’s current Citizen’s Charter specifically requires the Barangay Certification and two valid IDs or acceptable certificates for the FTJS service.

Pro Tip: Request your Barangay Certification and Oath of Undertaking during the same visit and bring the required documents with you. Check that your Barangay Certification is properly signed and sealed before leaving to avoid delays at the NBI branch.

What is RA 11261 and What Does It Cover? 

RA 11261 is a law that helps Filipino people who are looking for their first job by allowing them to get certain government documents without paying some of the usual fees. 

The benefit is not limited to the NBI Clearance. It also covers the applicable fees for other required pre-employment documents, such as police clearance, barangay clearance, birth certificates, marriage certificates, TIN, UMID, academic records, and certain medical certificates, subject to the law’s conditions.

What is RA 11261 and What Does It Cover 

Important Rules for Qualified NBI First Time Job seekers

JobStart exclusion


 If you are already receiving benefits from the JobStart Program under RA 10869, you cannot use the RA 11261 first-time jobseeker benefit too. The same applies if another law already gives you a similar fee exemption.

Proof of eligibility

  • You must be a Filipino citizen who is 15 years old or older and be looking for a job for the first time. You must also have lived in your current barangay for at least 6 months.
  • Applicants who are 15 to below 18 years old can also use the benefit, but they need parent or guardian consent as required in the official DOLE Oath of Undertaking.
  • You must never have had a job before, because this benefit is meant for people getting their first job. You also need a Barangay Certification, which is simply a document from your barangay confirming: “This person is a first-time job seeker.”

One-time benefit


 You can use the RA 11261 benefit only once. The rules also generally limit you to one copy of each covered document or transaction under the benefit.

After getting employed


 After you get a job, you are expected to go back and inform your barangay that you have become employed.

Falsifying the certification


 You must not make a fake Barangay Certification or give false information. Doing so can lead to legal consequences under the Revised Penal Code.

Transactions Not Covered by the Fee Waiver

The RA 11261 benefit does NOT make every government service free. Some specific applications are excluded, meaning you still have to pay their normal fees. 

Services Not Covered Government agency 
Professional Licensure ExaminationPRC
Passport Authentication and Apostille ServicesDFA
Career Service ExaminationCSC
Driver’s License ApplicationLTO

These are separate exclusions under Section 8 of RA 11261, while the JobStart exclusion is separately provided under Section 10.The law is implemented across government agencies, with DOLE serving through the Inter-Agency Monitoring Committee to help oversee its implementation and enforcement.

The Full List of Documents RA 11261 Waives 

If you are eligible as a first-time jobseeker, you can make the most of RA 11261 by getting all the covered documents you need for your job application. This may include your NBI Clearance and other required documents. Instead of using the benefit for only one document, check which other required documents are covered and apply for them while you are eligible. Check out the list of Documents given below to know how much more benefit you can take: 

DocumentIssuing OfficeNormal CostCost for First-Time Job Seekers
NBI ClearanceNational Bureau of Investigation₱155Free
Police ClearanceLocal police station (PNP)₱150–₱200Free
Barangay Clearance / CertificateBarangay Hall₱50–₱100Free
Medical CertificateGovernment hospitals / health centersVaries by LGUFree
PSA Birth CertificatePhilippine Statistics Authority₱155–₱365, depending on deliveryFree
PSA Marriage CertificatePhilippine Statistics Authority₱155Free
Tax Identification Number (TIN)Bureau of Internal RevenueFree to apply; processing or ID costs may varyFree
UMID CardSSS / GSISFree (first issuance is already standard)Free
Transcript of RecordsState college / universityVaries by schoolFree
Postal IDPHLPost₱504 in some LGU-covered casesFree

Check with each issuing office first to confirm that they honor the exemption, as coverage may vary slightly depending on the LGU. Next time you need to pay nbi prices & other government documents , so its better to gain several benefits at once when you are an eligible first time job seeker

Troubleshooting a Stuck FTJS Application that makes your request rejected:  

If the portal won’t show the First-Time Job Seeker option

  • Confirm you’re using the First-Time Jobseekers portal rather than the regular NBI Clearance website.
  • Clear your browser cache or try a different browser or device.
  • Check that all required information has been completed before submitting.
  • Avoid creating a second account if your first attempt fails, as duplicate accounts may create additional problems.
  • If the option still does not appear, contact NBI support instead of repeatedly submitting new applications.

If a branch refuses to honor the exemption

If you believe you qualify for the FTJS benefit but a branch refuses to apply it:

  • Calmly explain that you are applying under Republic Act No. 11261, the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act.
  • Present your Barangay Certification and Oath of Undertaking.
  • Ask to speak with a branch supervisor if the frontline staff are unsure about the benefit.
  • If the issue remains unresolved, contact the DOLE Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), which heads the Inter-Agency Monitoring Committee responsible for monitoring implementation of the Act.
  • You can also consider an appropriate government complaint channel if the issue is not resolved.

RA 11261 states that any ambiguity in interpreting the Act should be resolved in favor of the applicant. It also provides that government agencies must not issue unduly restrictive regulations that defeat the benefits provided by the law.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Using the wrong portal

Signing up on clearance.nbi.gov.ph instead of firsttimejobseekers.nbi.gov.ph may send you to the paid application process by mistake. Check the website address before you sign up. If you already signed up on the wrong website, contact NBI support instead of trying to change it during the process.

Entering the wrong information

A misspelled name, wrong birth date, or other incorrect information is one of the most common mistakes, especially when first-time applicants fill out the form too quickly. NBI allows some changes, but mistakes found later may delay your appointment. Check every box carefully before submitting, especially special letters such as Ñ.

Missing or invalid documents

A photocopy of an ID, an expired ID, or a Barangay Certification without the Punong Barangay’s dry seal may cause the staff to refuse your application at the counter. Bring only original and valid documents. Before your appointment, make sure your Barangay Certification has the required seal and signature.

Barangay Certification does not have the needed information

Some certificates may not clearly say that you are a first-time job seeker or that you have lived in the barangay for at least six months, which NBI requires. Ask your barangay office to include both details on the certificate when they prepare it, along with your name and address.

Problems with the website during registration

If the form does not submit or the FTJS option does not appear, try simple fixes such as clearing your browser cache, using another device, or checking that every required box has been completed. Do not create another account, as a second account may create more problems and delays.

Branch staff do not know about the exemption

If branch staff still ask you to pay, explain that you are applying under RA 11261 and show your Barangay Certification and Oath of Undertaking. Ask to speak with a supervisor if the problem continues. If it is still not solved, you can contact the DOLE Bureau of Local Employment or the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA).

What Actually Speeds Up Your FTJS Application ?

What Actually Speeds Up Your FTJS Application 
  • Get your Barangay Certification and Oath of Undertaking before you start your NBI application, so you have all your papers ready.
  • Check that your certificate clearly says you are a first-time job seeker and that you have lived in the barangay for at least six months. Missing either detail may cause a problem at the NBI counter.
  • Register only at firsttimejobseekers.nbi.gov.ph and save the website in your bookmarks, so you do not accidentally use the regular paid website.
  • Check all the information you enter before sending the form, especially special letters such as Ñ in your name. Fixing mistakes later may delay your application.
  • Try to book your appointment as soon as new slots become available, especially at busy Metro Manila branches where appointments may fill quickly.
  • Bring two original, valid IDs and your original Barangay Certification. Do not bring only photocopies.
  • Arrive at least 30 minutes early so you have enough time and do not risk missing your appointment.
  • Keep your reference number somewhere easy to find, such as a screenshot on your phone, because you may need it when you enter the branch.
  • If your name gets a HIT, stay calm. It means NBI needs to check your name more closely because it is similar to another name in its records. It does not automatically mean you have a criminal record.
  • Ask your PESO office what other documents under RA 11261 you may get for free while your Barangay Certification is still valid. This can help you avoid making extra trips later.
  • Use your free NBI Clearance carefully because the first-time job seeker benefit can only be used once in your lifetime.

FAQ

A Filipino citizen who is looking for a job for the first time can qualify. You must also be a resident of the barangay that issues your Barangay Certification for at least six months. The important point is that you are looking for work for the first time, not whether you have received an NBI Clearance before.

NBI Clearance is the official document issued by the NBI after checking your name and records.First-Time Job Seeker Certification is the Barangay Certification that proves you qualify as a first-time job seeker under RA 11261.

In simple words: The NBI Clearance is the document you need; the First-Time Job Seeker Certification is the proof that lets you get the eligible fee waived.

No. PESO can help first-time job seekers get their required documents, but RA 11261 does not make a PESO visit a required step for getting the NBI benefit. The main proof you need is your Barangay Certification. If you are really confused, you can visit PESO , it will guide you more precisely.

The benefit can be used for one year from the date your Barangay Certification was issued.

The law removes government fees and charges covered by RA 11261. However, a separate delivery or courier charge may not be part of the clearance fee, so check the current NBI delivery terms before choosing delivery.

The NBI says the eGovPH Super App’s NBI eClearance service provides a digital renewal process for eligible users. It does not describe the app as the normal route for a first-time NBI Clearance. First-time job seekers should follow the NBI’s dedicated first-time job seeker application process and complete the required branch steps.

Not always. Under the rules, paid work in a formal or informal setting can count as employment, but entrepreneurs, business owners, and independent contractors are specifically excluded from that definition. So, whether your past freelance work affects your eligibility depends on what type of work you did. Ask your barangay office about your specific situation before getting your certification.

A school-required and unpaid OJT or internship generally does not count as employment because the rules define employment as work done in return for pay. However, the exact program and arrangement can matter, so check with your barangay if you are unsure.

No. RA 11261 requires the applicant to be a Filipino citizen and a first-time job seeker. Foreign nationals do not qualify for this benefit and must follow the normal rules and fees for their NBI Clearance or other documents.

Yes. You can use the benefit for different covered documents, but only once and for one copy of each document or transaction. For example, you may get a free NBI Clearance, police clearance, PSA birth certificate, TIN, and other covered documents. You cannot use the benefit again later for another free copy of a document you already received under RA 11261.

Yes. Under RA 11261, qualified first-time job seekers can get their NBI Clearance without paying the regular ₱155 fee. To use the benefit, register through the First Time Job Seekers Portal at firsttimejobseekers.nbi.gov.ph and provide your Barangay Certification.

First, get your Barangay Certification and Oath of Undertaking. Then register through the First Time Job Seekers Portal, choose the first-time job seeker option, and book your NBI appointment. On your appointment date, complete your biometrics and other requirements at the NBI branch.

During NBI registration, select “First Time Jobseekers” when the option is available. This tells the system that you are applying under RA 11261, so your application can be processed for the NBI Clearance fee exemption instead of the regular paid process.

The NBI’s current First-Time Job Seeker Citizen’s Charter does not provide a documented online self-service process for rescheduling an NBI Clearance appointment. If you need to change your appointment or are unsure about your schedule, contact the NBI Clearance office directly for instructions. NBI lists (02) 8524-1277, 0939 150 2880, and [email protected] for clearance inquiries.

For paid NBI Clearance transactions, including NBI Clearance Renewal, the NBI’s current online application guide states that a 15-day grace period applies after the transaction is marked “PAID,” allowing applicants to visit their selected branch within that period.

After you register, NBI sends an OTP or activation message to your email. Follow the activation instructions, set your password, and log in to your account. You can then continue with your Applicant Information, NBI Clearance appointment, and first-time job seeker application.

Conclusion

The NBI First Time Job Seekers process is built around a specific benefit under Republic Act No. 11261, but the real value of this guide is knowing which route applies to you, which documents matter, and what to expect before you reach the NBI branch.The flow is: visit the barangay hall, apply on the portal, and visit your Appointment Branch. You now know how to make this flow even smoother, with more benefits and tips discussed above.

Your first job is already a big step. Knowing how the FTJS benefit works can remove at least one unnecessary expense and make the NBI process a little less stressful. Most importantly, do not guess when your situation is unclear. Whether you have done freelance work, an internship, OJT, or something similar, check with your barangay before making a declaration.

JUAN DELA (NBI-Clearances.ph)

I’m Juan Dela, and I have more than five years of experience researching and working with information related to NBI Clearance applications and procedures in the Philippines.

Over the years, I’ve learned about the common questions and difficulties applicants face, from online registration and appointment scheduling to requirements, renewals, and claiming clearance. Visit About Us Page for more information.

juan dela nbi-clearances.ph content writer.

PH#: (02) 8523 8231

Email: [email protected]

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