The NBI clearance may only appear to be a piece of paper, but it actually reveals a lot about your reputation and place in society. Because of this, many businesses and organizations view this document as a crucial and occasionally unavoidable need.
Obtaining this document in the past always required standing in a long line of applicants at the issuing office. If you weren’t fortunate enough, you might have to wait from morning till afternoon for your turn.
But those times have passed! The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has changed its workflow by turning digital, much like many other government organizations today. This indicates that its procedures, including making an appointment for NBI clearance, are now considerably simpler and more effective.
While filing for your clearance, you could be from any location or even abroad and still complete the task. Additionally, online clearing is a confirmed process that may be used for a variety of procedures, including visa applications, local or international employment applications, and other verifications.
What is NBI Clearance?
An official document from the NBI establishing your innocence of any crimes or infractions in the Philippines is known as an NBI clearance.
This authorization may be used for a variety of things, including the following:
- Local employment – This necessity arises from the fact that before an employer fully accepts you as a member of the firm, HR staff may investigate your background to see if you have committed any severe criminal offenses.
- Travels abroad – Do you want to work overseas? This document will be needed in order to obtain a work visa. Even if you’re only traveling abroad for a holiday, the same rule can still be relevant.
- Some government organizations will accept your NBI clearance as identification. It can be used to protect other IDs or papers, such as a driver’s license. You can also use it to fix mistakes in records issued by the government, such as your birth certificate.
What conditions must be met when requesting an NBI clearance online?
When requesting an online NBI clearance, you must be ready to provide the following information:
- Two legitimate IDs
- Barangay certificate (if this is your first time applying for a job)
- A functional email address
- ₱130 (application fee)
The following ID cards are accepted for online registration:
- Passport
- a voter ID
- Driver’s License and PRC
- ID Pag-IBIG
- UMID (SSS plus GSIS)
- Mail ID
- Certificate obtained by the local civil registrar
- ID MARINA
- student ID card
- Book by Seaman
- Single-parent ID
- Business ID( (only government servants)
- diploma from Malacanang for indigenous tribes
- Police Clearance
Please read: How to Apply for a Philippine Postal ID?
Ensure that the identification you present complies with the following requirements:
- Original (photocopies are not allowed)
- Excellent condition
- With an unmistakable image of the applicant
- Not expired
Be aware that IDs not issued by the government, such as barangay clearance and company IDs, are not recognized as acceptable IDs for NBI clearance procedure.
Important information: Under Republic Act 11261 or the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, if you’re a first-time job seeker, you’ll also need to submit a Barangay Certificate in order to qualify for the waived price for your NBI clearance application.
With the help of a barangay certificate, you may demonstrate that you’re genuinely unemployed and have been residing at your current address for at least six months. The document must say that you have lived in the barangay for at least six months and are a first-time job seeker.
Keep in mind that it must have been issued within the past 12 months.
How to Apply in the Philippines for an NBI Clearance?
It can be difficult to understand how to process an NBI clearance online when you first start out. Be at ease, though! We have developed a simple-to-follow manual for you.
Step 1: Open an online NBI account
The NBI online registration is the initial step. For this, go to clearance.nbi.gov.ph. [1] There, you’ll be prompted with the following question: DO YOU HAVE AN OLD NBI CLEARANCE ISSUED FROM 2014 TO PRESENT? Select NO since this is your first application.
then continue with creating your account. Double-check your information, check the I’M NOT A ROBOT box, mark the READ AND ACCEPT TERMS OF SERVICES box, and then click SIGN UP.
Step 2: Log in to your account
Using the email address and password you choose when you created your account, sign in to your online NBI clearance account.
Step 3: Fill out the NBI Online Registration Form
There is a form that needs to be filled out on the Applicant Information page. Please enter your information precisely. Then, press the SAVE INFORMATION button that’s located at the page’s bottom.
You’ll receive a pop-up notification asking you to verify your information. Click SUBMIT if you’re comfortable doing so.
Watch this step-by-step video tutorial to learn how to complete the online NBI clearance application form if you’re a first-time job applicant who wants to receive your NBI clearance.
Step 4: Submit an online NBI Clearance application
Now that your personal information has been submitted, you can begin the real NBI clearance application procedure. The APPLY FOR CLEARANCE button can be found in the screen’s upper right corner. To initiate the procedure, click it.
The forms of IDs (and their numbers) that you’ll use to confirm your appointment will then be asked for in a pop-up box.
Click I AGREE to move on to the next page.
Step 5: Schedule an appointment for NBI clearance
Your desired NBI clearing center will be presented to you as an option. You’ll choose the appointment time and date after selecting your favorite branch. The blue boxes show the open slots on the appointment calendar.
Important reminders: Pick your appointment date wisely. Your appointment cannot be changed after you have paid the NBI clearance cost.
However, the NBI will grant you a 15-day grace period to obtain your clearance at your designated branch if you are unable to make it on your appointment date and you have already completed the payment.
Visit any AllCash branch nearest you and avail their NBI online assistance.
Step 6: Choose Your Payment Method
You will be prompted to select a payment method for your NBI clearance fee after you have scheduled your NBI clearance appointment online.
Some of your choices are as follows:
- AllCash branches and sub agents.
- Bank payments made in person, including those made at Metrobank, Chinabank, LANDBANK, UnionBank, Security Bank, RCBC, etc.
- UnionBank, BPI, and other online banks
- LBC Express, Cebuana Lhuillier, Waltermart, Robinsons, and the Bayad app are all located in the Bayad Center.
- 7-Eleven locations that accept payments
- GCash
- ECPay
Step 7: Pay the NBI Clearance Fee
Your chosen method of payment will determine how you pay your NBI clearing charge. If you select online banking, for instance, you will be taken to a different banking platform where you can complete the transaction. You will be provided with a reference number for payments made over the counter.
What is the cost of NBI clearance? At the moment, it costs 130. To make a total of 155 for the online NBI charge, you must also pay an additional 25 if you choose to use the e-payment service.
Step 8: Visit the NBI Branch on the Day of Your Appointment
Go to your preferred NBI branch on the day of your appointment with all the necessary paperwork. You can head straight to the encoding station to have your biometrics and photo taken if you submitted your application online.
Step 9: Wait for your NBI clearance
If there isn’t a hit, your NBI clearance will be given to you in a short while. A ‘hit’ indicates that you may have a namesake with a criminal history according to the NBI.
The NBI will put off issuing the clearance if you have a hit. They will have enough time to check to see if the hit was truly yours or was only made in your name. After a few days, you might be requested to go back to the branch.
Conclusion
These days, obtaining an NBI approval is significantly simpler. You can register for the NBI online without waiting in a large line because of this. Additionally, since everything is done digitally, you can schedule an appointment from anywhere at any time.
The fact that you won’t have to wait longer at the appointment location and unintentionally expose yourself to COVID-19 is one timely and pertinent advantage of this process. In relation to that, use caution anytime you are outside. Don’t let your guard down because the pandemic is still ongoing.
