If you’ve already paid, missing your NBI appointment doesn’t cost you the fee. Once your transaction shows as Paid, the NBI gives you a 15-day grace period: go to the branch you chose within 15 days of your booked date, with your reference number, proof of payment and two valid IDs.
If you hadn’t paid yet, nothing is lost. Log in and book a new slot. What you can’t do after paying is change the appointment in the portal or move it to another branch, and the NBI has no published refund process.
| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Paid, and you missed the date | Go to the same branch within 15 days of your booked date |
| Not paid yet | Book a new slot. Nothing is lost |
| You want a different branch | Plan on the branch you chose; other branches may not accept your booking |
| You want an earlier date | It can’t be moved in the portal after you pay |
| More than 15 days have passed | Expect to book and pay again |
| You missed your HIT return date | Go back as soon as you can, with your claim stub and ID |
| You want a refund | There’s no published refund process |
We are not the NBI. This is an independent guide. Check your status only at clearance.nbi.gov.ph, and ignore anyone who offers to “reschedule” or “transfer” your paid appointment for a fee.
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How the 15-day grace period works
It applies once you’ve paid
The grace period covers applications marked Paid in your NBI account. Log in at clearance.nbi.gov.ph and open Transactions to check; if you need help finding it, here’s where to find your NBI reference number and its status.
Same branch, any day it’s open
Go to the branch you chose when you booked, on any day it’s open, within 15 days of your original date. Check its hours before you go, since many close at 5 PM; our list of NBI clearance branches has addresses and hours.
What to bring
- Your reference number, as a printout, a screenshot or the portal’s QR code
- Proof of payment
- Two valid IDs, including the one you selected when you applied
The rest is the same as on any appointment day; see the NBI clearance requirements.
You don’t need to tell anyone
There’s no form to fill in and no need to call ahead. Just go within the 15 days.
What to do after a missed appointment, step by step
Step 1 — Check that your application says Paid
If it says Pending and you haven’t paid, skip to the section on unpaid bookings below. If you paid but it still says Pending, sort that out first with your payment channel, because the grace period only applies once the payment has posted.
Step 2 — Work out your last day
Count 15 days from the date you booked, and mark the last one on your calendar.
Counting the days
Booked for 5 November? Your last day is 20 November. Count calendar days to be safe, weekends and holidays included, and don’t leave it to the final day in case the branch is closed or crowded.
Step 3 — Check the branch’s hours
Make sure the branch is open on the day you plan to go. Mall branches often keep longer hours than offices in government buildings.
Step 4 — Go early with your documents
Arrive early in the day with your reference number, proof of payment and two valid IDs. Staff process you the same way as on your original date.
If you hadn’t paid yet
Nothing is lost. An unpaid booking isn’t confirmed, so you can simply book again from your account and pick a date you can make. Pay soon after you book this time. Here’s how to book your NBI appointment online.
What you can’t change after paying
The branch: Your paid appointment belongs to the branch you chose, and other branches may turn you away. If you’ve moved or can’t reach that branch within the 15 days, call the NBI clearance helpdesk at (02) 8524-1277 or 0939 150 2880 before you book and pay again.
An earlier date: You can’t move a paid appointment earlier in the portal. If you need the clearance urgently, ask your branch whether it can help; otherwise, keep your date.
Getting your money back: The NBI has no published refund process for clearance payments, so treat the payment as final. The grace period is your safety net. Our page on the NBI clearance fee explains what the payment covers.
If more than 15 days have passed: The grace period is the NBI’s only published allowance for missed appointments. Once it’s over, expect to book a new appointment and pay again.
If you missed it for a serious reason, such as a hospital stay, call the NBI clearance helpdesk before you pay again and have proof ready. There’s no guarantee, but it’s worth asking.
Missed your HIT return date?
That’s a different situation. Your application has already been processed and your clearance is waiting for the check to finish. Go back as soon as you can, with the receipt that shows your return date and a valid ID. Here’s what a HIT on your NBI clearance means.
How to avoid missing your appointment
- Book a date you’re sure about. Don’t take the first open slot if you might not make it.
- Pay right after booking, so the grace period protects you if plans change.
- Set two reminders: one the day before, and one on the morning of your appointment.
- Check the address. Clearances in Manila are processed at the NBI Clearance Center on United Nations Avenue, not the NBI headquarters in Pasay.
- Expect a HIT if your name is common, and apply two to three weeks before you need the clearance.
FAQs: missed NBI appointments
If you’ve paid, you have 15 days from your booked date to go to the same branch. If you hadn’t paid, simply book a new slot.
Not in the portal once you’ve paid. Use the 15-day grace period instead. If you haven’t paid yet, book a new slot.
Plan on the branch you chose. Other branches may not accept your booking. If you can’t get there within 15 days, call the NBI helpdesk before paying again.
There’s no published refund process for NBI clearance payments. Use the grace period if your plans change.
Count calendar days to be safe. You can only go on days the branch is open, so don’t leave it to the last day.
No. Just go to your branch within the 15 days, with your reference number, proof of payment and two valid IDs.
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