NBI Clearance for First Time Job Seekers | Complete Guide 2026
You have completed your studies and are ready to apply for a job for the first time. The employer demands the NBI clearance from you. The good news is that the NBI clearance is free for first time job applicants. The government of the Philippines has announced, under Republic Act 11261, that “there are no fee charges to apply for NBI clearance for first time job seekers”.
In this guide, we will explain the step-by-step process to obtain NBI clearance for first time job seekers (FTJS) without any fees or e-payments, using the official online NBI clearance portal.
Eligibility Criteria for Free NBI Clearance
If you are a Filipino citizen applying for an NBI clearance for first time job seekers, there is no clearance fee under Philippine law. This is also applicable to all Filipinos seeking local employment, overseas jobs as OFWs. This rule applies to the general public. However, the free NBI clearance as a first-time job seeker can be availed once only.
The Information and Communication Technology Division (ICTD) handles the transaction as it falls under frontline service (External). The free NBI clearance cannot be availed twice, even if you are unable to get the job the first time, and your NBI clearance has expired.
NBI Clearance Requirements for First Time Job Seekers
In order to avail the free NBI clearance opportunity as a first time job seeker, you have to arrange the required documents:
- Any two valid IDs issued by the Philippine Government.
Accepted Valid Government IDs include:
- Passport
- Health ID
- Voter’s ID
- TIN ID
- Driving License
- Postal ID (PVC plastic version only)
- Authenticated PSA Birth Card
- PNP Clearance
- Any other valid government-issued ID
- Barangay Certificate on the official letterhead, seal, and duly signed by the authorised barangay official or Punong Barangay.
Note: Barangay is a required document, but do not mistake it for a primary verification ID. Barangay certificate is not treated as a primary verification ID. The applicants have to bring two additional verification IDs along with the Barangay certificate.
NBI Clearance for First Time Job Seekers Online Application
- 1st of all, complete your registration on the NBI clearance official portal.
- Then log in to the portal, complete the profile and apply online for NBI Clearance after logging in and select the first-time job seeker category.
- Book an online appointment for picture and biometric verification at the desired NBI branch.
Note: The detailed articles on the registration, application and appointment are already described. You can refer to these articles for details.
- Visit the NBI branch on the appointment date and time along with the required documents mentioned above.
- Proceed to the lane for first time job seekers and present valid IDs.
- After document verification, the signature, picture capturing and fingerprint scanning will be performed by the biometric operator as part of your biometric verification.
- This process will just take 1 minute and 30 seconds.
- Once your complete data is entered into the system by the ICTD operator, the system scans and goes through your information from the central database to match with the criminal record. This will take half a minute.
- If there’s “No Hit” after the system verification process, the NBI clearance is printed by the printing operator, and it is issued to you by the issuing operator. With NO HIT, the total processing time is 2 minutes and 15 seconds for online applicants.
- If there is a Hit, you might need to undergo further verification through an interview by providing additional verification through an interview to the Quality Control interviewer on a scheduled date as per the derogatory record. The interview can take a minimum of 15 minutes.
How to Proceed If You Get a HIT Status
A Hit Status does not always mean that you have a criminal record. This can happen if any of your particulars, like your name or other data, match with those of a person having a criminal record. In such cases, you need to wait for a couple of days, as it will automatically clear. However, if your Hit status is not updated despite waiting, then some old legal case of yours might not have been updated in the system. In this case, you need to have additional verification.
For exact steps to follow for handling the “Hit Status”, you can refer to the NBI clearance issues and solutions guide with detailed tips.
Important Tip: It is recommended to book an online appointment for your NBI clearance application. However, for the first time job seekers, separate counters are also available for walk-in applicants where they can complete online registration.
Walk-In method for FTJS Applicants
Although an online appointment is recommended, however, the NBI Clearance for first time job seekers can still register on-site by following the steps below:
- Visit any NBI Online Registrations counter. Mention your purpose and provide your details to the operator, who will register you for free clearance as FTJS and issue the reference number to you with the slip. This process will take just one and a half minutes.
Important Tip: Free Wi-Fi facility is available at the NBI branches. You can also register yourself and get the reference number. This will save your time. However, the best approach is the online method.
- After issuance of the reference number, proceed to the FTJS with two valid government-issued IDs and have your biometric verification, including signatures, fingerprint scanning and picture capturing. This process will also take one and a half minutes.
- After entry of your details by the ICTD operator, the system will perform verification and processing of your details from the central database to check for a criminal record. This will just take 30 seconds. Quality Control cases require an additional interview of a minimum of 15 minutes.
- If there is No Hit, then you will be directed to the printing section, and the NBI clearance will be printed by the printing operator and it will be issued to you by the issuing operator. This process will just take 15 seconds.
With NO HIT, the total processing time is 3 minutes and 15 seconds for walk-in applicants.
In Case of HIT: Additional verification will be required by the quality control interviewer on the scheduled date. This process can take 15 minutes or more.
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Final Words
Getting your NBI clearance as a first-time job seeker is essential for you to get job opportunities. This is free of cost, very fast and convenient to complete through the online process. Many candidates waste their time by visiting the NBI office without complete information and the required documents.
The online process takes just over two minutes if there is no hit and you are well prepared with complete information and valid documents. On the day of your appointment, reach well before time, cross-verify your documents, bring extra verification IDs and your application reference number. Having the online registration and getting the reference number in time will save you time at the office. However, cross-verify all the details entered during the online application.
Always trust the government sources and the official NBI website. Don’t get into the hands of clearance service providers or fake websites offering such services. The NBI clearance process is very simple and convenient, and it is totally free for NBI Clearance for first time job seekers. Follow our guidelines to get the best tips and step-by-step procedures for the best NBI clearance experience.
