A regular NBI clearance costs ₱130, plus an e-payment charge of about ₱25–₱30 that depends on how you pay. That’s ₱155–₱160 in total, whether it’s your first clearance or a renewal at a branch.
Renewing online with delivery adds ₱200 in Metro Manila or ₱350 elsewhere. Renewing in the eGovPH app costs ₱160 if you pick the clearance up. First-time jobseekers pay nothing, once, under RA 11261.
| What you’re getting | Breakdown | Total |
|---|---|---|
| New application or branch renewal | ₱130 + ₱25–₱30 e-payment charge | ₱155–₱160 |
| NBI online renewal, delivered in Metro Manila | ₱155–₱160 + ₱200 delivery | ₱355–₱360 |
| NBI online renewal, delivered elsewhere | ₱155–₱160 + ₱350 delivery | ₱505–₱510 |
| eGovPH renewal, picked up | ₱130 + ₱30 convenience fee | ₱160 |
| eGovPH renewal, delivered | ₱160 + ₱200 or ₱350 delivery | ₱360 or ₱510 |
| First-time jobseeker (RA 11261) | Fee waived, once | Free |
| Applying from abroad by mail (NBI’s part) | ₱130 + ₱70 for mailing it back | ₱200, plus embassy and courier costs |
We are not the NBI. This is an independent guide. A standard branch application never costs more than ₱160. Anyone asking for more to “process” it isn’t official.
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Why the total is ₱155–₱160, not one number
The NBI’s own fee is always ₱130. On top of that, the payment channel adds an e-payment charge, usually ₱25–₱30, so the total depends on how you pay. The portal shows the exact amount before you confirm, so you never have to guess.
You pay after applying online and before your appointment. Branches don’t take the fee in cash. If you’re choosing between GCash, Maya, banks and payment centers, we compare every way to pay for your NBI clearance.
How much it costs to renew
Renewing costs the same ₱130. What changes is the delivery or convenience fee:
- At a branch: ₱155–₱160, and you get it the same day if there’s no HIT.
- eGovPH app with pick-up: ₱160, with no appointment needed.
- NBI online renewal or eGovPH with delivery: ₱355–₱510, depending on where you live.
The cheapest option depends on whether you can collect the clearance yourself. Our NBI clearance renewal guide compares the three ways side by side.
Who gets an NBI clearance for free
Under RA 11261, the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, Filipinos looking for their first job get one NBI clearance free. You need a first-time jobseeker certification from your barangay and a signed Oath of Undertaking, and you apply through the NBI’s separate first-time jobseeker portal. Here’s how to get the free NBI clearance for first-time jobseekers.
What doesn’t cost extra
- A HIT. If your name matches a record and you’re given a return date, collecting the clearance later is free. Here’s what a HIT on your NBI clearance means.
- The purpose. A clearance for local work, travel or a visa costs the same.
- Missing your slot, within limits. Once your payment shows as Paid, you have a 15-day grace period to visit the branch you chose. Here’s what to do if you miss your NBI appointment.
What the NBI fee doesn’t cover
Depending on why you need the clearance, you may pay for other things too:
- DFA apostille, if the clearance will be used abroad: ₱100 regular or ₱200 expedited. See our guide to booking a DFA apostille appointment.
- Embassy or consulate fees and couriers, if you apply from abroad. Our guide to getting an NBI clearance from abroad lists examples by country.
- PSA documents, if you need a birth or marriage certificate for a correction or as an ID.
Can you get a refund?
Don’t count on one. There’s no published refund process for NBI clearance payments, so treat the payment as final. If you can’t make your appointment, use the 15-day grace period instead of paying again. If you notice a mistake in your details after paying, keep your appointment and have it corrected at the branch.
Watch out for fixers and look-alike sites
The whole process runs through clearance.nbi.gov.ph, the NBI’s first-time jobseeker portal and the eGovPH app. Pay only through the channels listed there. A website, Facebook page or person who asks for more than the amounts above, or who wants your payment sent to a personal account, isn’t official.
FAQs: NBI clearance fee
₱130, plus an e-payment charge of about ₱25–₱30, so ₱155–₱160 in total for a new application or a branch renewal.
No. Both cost ₱130 plus the e-payment charge. Renewing online or through eGovPH adds a delivery or convenience fee instead.
No. You pay before your appointment through one of the channels listed in the portal, and bring your reference number and proof of payment.
No. Coming back for a clearance after a HIT costs nothing extra.
Yes. NBI online renewal always includes delivery: ₱200 in Metro Manila or ₱350 elsewhere. If you’d rather not pay for delivery, renew at a branch or pick it up through eGovPH.
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