HOW-TO

How to Get an NBI Clearance for Travel or Work Abroad

Applying for an NBI Clearance for overseas work, study, or migration? Here is how to register online, pick the right purpose, sit for biometrics, and get your clearance apostilled at the DFA so it is accepted abroad.

Step by step

1. Register on the official NBI portalGo to clearance.nbi.gov.ph and create an account using your own email address and mobile number. Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your valid IDs. Do not use third-party sites that offer to register 'on your behalf'.
2. Fill out the application and choose the right purposeComplete the application form and select a purpose linked to going abroad, such as 'Travel Abroad'. The purpose you pick is printed on the clearance, so employers, embassies, or the DMW can see it matches your requirement.
3. Set your appointment and pay the feeChoose an NBI branch and an available date. Pay online through the accredited channels shown on the portal (such as GCash, Maya, over-the-counter, or bank options). As of 2026 the fee is about ₱130 plus a ₱25 e-payment fee — confirm the exact amount on the portal.
4. Attend your biometrics appointmentVisit your chosen branch on the scheduled date and bring the valid IDs you declared. Staff will capture your fingerprints and photo. Arrive on time and keep your reference or transaction number handy.
5. Claim your NBI ClearanceIf your record is a 'no-hit', the clearance is often released the same day, usually within about 30 minutes. If there is a 'hit' (a name match needing review), you may be asked to return on a later 'get clearance' date.
6. Have it apostilled at the DFA (if required)Many destination countries require the clearance to be apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs before it is accepted. Check your destination's rules, then process the apostille through the DFA's official channels. An apostille only authenticates the document — it does not guarantee a visa or job.

Why the purpose you choose matters

An NBI Clearance is the standard proof that you have no pending criminal record in the Philippines, and it is one of the most requested documents for anyone heading overseas. Employers abroad, embassies, and the Department of Migrant Workers frequently ask for it. The document itself is the same one Filipinos use at home, but when you apply you must select a purpose that matches going abroad — often shown as ‘Travel Abroad’. That wording is printed on the clearance, so the receiving office can see it fits your application.

Choosing the wrong purpose is a common, avoidable mistake. If the printed purpose does not match what your employer or embassy expects, you may be asked to apply again and pay a second time. Read the purpose options carefully before you confirm.

Registering and booking the right way

Everything starts at the official portal, clearance.nbi.gov.ph. You create an account, complete the application form, then book an appointment at a branch and pay online. As of 2026 the fee is around ₱130 plus a ₱25 e-payment service fee — but treat that as a guide and confirm the exact figure on the portal, since government fees are updated from time to time.

Keep your account details private. The portal will never ask a third party for your one-time PIN or password, and no legitimate ‘agent’ can register you more safely than you can register yourself. If you are new to online government services, our walkthrough on how to get an NBI clearance online covers the account setup in more detail.

Biometrics and release

Online registration does not finish the job — you still visit your chosen branch once for fingerprints and a photo. Bring the valid IDs you declared during registration and arrive on time. For most applicants whose records are a ‘no-hit’, the clearance is released the same day, often within about half an hour. If your name matches an existing record — a ‘hit’, which happens often with common Filipino surnames — the branch may set a later date so the match can be verified. This is a normal safeguard, not a sign of any problem with your record.

Plan around validity: an NBI Clearance is normally valid for one year from issuance. If your visa or job timeline is months away, time your application so the document is still valid when you submit it.

Getting it accepted abroad: the DFA apostille

A clearance printed in Manila is not automatically recognized by a foreign government. Countries that belong to the Hague Apostille Convention — including many popular work destinations — require the document to carry an apostille from the Department of Foreign Affairs. The apostille authenticates that the clearance is genuine; it replaced the older ‘red ribbon’ certification. Importantly, an apostille only verifies the paper. It does not approve your visa, your job offer, or your school admission.

Check your destination country’s exact requirement first. Some employers also want the clearance issued within a recent window, so do the apostille soon after you receive the clearance rather than letting months pass.

Apply from overseas

If you are already abroad, you do not have to fly home. The NBI allows applicants outside the country to complete the online registration and process the clearance through an authorized representative in the Philippines, following the steps on the official site. Once you are set up with government portals, related tasks become easier too — for example, keeping your records active through the My.SSS portal if you are an OFW member. Stick to official channels at every step, and never hand your login credentials to anyone offering to ‘speed things up’.

Gabay is an independent guide and is not affiliated with any government agency. Fees, links and steps can change — always confirm on the official portal before you act. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.