Last reviewed: October 2, 2026 by the NBI Clearance Online Editorial Team
Filipinos living or working overseas can get an NBI clearance without flying home. You fill in NBI Form No. 5, have your fingerprints taken at a Philippine Embassy, consulate or local police station, and mail it to the NBI in Manila with a photo, a copy of your passport and ₱200. The NBI processes it within about five working days after receiving your documents.
If you already had a clearance and have a verified eGovPH account, renewing in the app may be much faster. This guide covers both routes, plus how a representative in the Philippines can help.
We’re here to help you every step of the way. NBI Clearance Online is an independent guide, not the NBI, an embassy or a government agency. Send your application only to the NBI or through your Philippine Embassy or Consulate. Never pay an agent who promises to “fast-track” your clearance from abroad.
NBI clearance abroad at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Form | NBI Form No. 5 (from a Philippine Embassy or Consulate, or the NBI Mailed Clearance Section) |
| Fingerprints | Rolled impressions taken at the embassy, consulate or a local police station, signed and sealed by the official |
| Photo | 2×2, white background, taken within the last 3 months |
| ID | Photocopy of your passport bio page |
| Fee | ₱200 (₱130 clearance fee + ₱70 mailing) or the USD equivalent |
| Processing | Up to 5 working days after the NBI receives your documents, plus mailing time |
| Where to send | NBI Mailed Clearance Section, 3rd Floor, NBI Clearance Building, UN Avenue, Ermita, Manila 1000 |
| Faster option | eGovPH app renewal for verified users with an existing clearance |
On this page:
- Which option should you use?
- How to apply by mail
- Getting your fingerprints taken
- Using a representative
- eGovPH app option
- Common problems
- FAQs
Which option should you use?
| Option | Best for | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Mailed clearance (Form No. 5) | Anyone abroad, including first-time applicants | About 5 working days after the NBI receives it, plus mailing both ways |
| eGovPH app (NBI eClearance) | Verified eGovPH users with an existing NBI clearance | About 5 minutes to apply; digital copy in the app |
| Apply on your next visit home | If you’ll be in the Philippines soon | Same day at a branch if there’s no HIT |
How to apply by mail, step by step
- Get NBI Form No. 5. Ask the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate for the NBI clearance application form, known as Form No. 5. It can also be requested from the NBI Mailed Clearance Section.
- Fill it in completely, using your full name exactly as it appears in your passport.
- Have your fingerprints taken as rolled impressions (see the next section).
- Prepare a 2×2 photo with a white background, taken within the last three months.
- Photocopy your passport bio page.
- Prepare the ₱200 payment: ₱130 clearance fee plus ₱70 mailing, or the USD equivalent. Ask your embassy or consulate which payment form they recommend for mailing to the NBI.
- Send everything by courier or registered mail to: NBI Mailed Clearance Section, 3rd Floor, NBI Clearance Building, UN Avenue, Ermita, Manila, Philippines 1000.
- Wait for processing. The NBI processes mailed applications within a maximum of five working days after receiving them, then mails the clearance back.
Use a tracked courier so you can confirm delivery to the NBI, and keep copies of everything you send.
Getting your fingerprints taken
The NBI requires rolled fingerprint impressions, where each finger is rolled from one side of the nail to the other, not just pressed flat. You can have them taken at:
- the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in your country; or
- the nearest local police station.
The official who takes your prints must write their name, signature and designation and stamp the office seal on the back of the form. Forms without these details may be rejected.
Using a representative in the Philippines
A family member or authorized representative in the Philippines can help with the payment and follow-up at the NBI. According to the NBI’s guidance, the representative:
- registers on the official NBI Clearance website (clearance.nbi.gov.ph);
- selects the NBI Main Clearance Center as the branch;
- chooses a payment channel (for example, Bayad Center) and pays to get a reference number;
- brings the reference number to the NBI Main Clearance Center on UN Avenue, Manila to follow up on your mailed application.
Your fingerprints and form still have to come from you abroad. A representative can’t have their own fingerprints taken on your behalf.
The eGovPH app option
If you already have an NBI clearance and a verified eGovPH account, check the app first. Since July 6, 2026, NBI eClearance lets eligible users renew in about five minutes and keep a verified digital copy in the app. Whether you can use it from abroad depends on your eGovPH account verification and the app’s current options. See our NBI clearance renewal guide for the details.
Using your clearance abroad
Many foreign employers and immigration offices ask for the NBI clearance to be apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Our NBI clearance apostille guide explains the DFA steps and fees. Ask your employer or the receiving government which format they need before you apply, and plan the extra time for the apostille.
Common problems for OFWs
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Flat instead of rolled fingerprints | Ask the embassy or police officer for rolled impressions on the NBI form. |
| Missing seal or signature on the fingerprint form | Make sure the official signs, writes their designation and stamps the office seal. |
| Old or wrong photo | Use a 2×2 photo with a white background, taken within 3 months. |
| Name differs from passport | Use your passport name, including middle name and suffix, everywhere on the form. |
| Documents lost in the mail | Use a tracked courier and keep copies of everything you send. |
| HIT on your name | Verification takes longer; the NBI may need to contact you or your representative. |
For more on name matches, see what an NBI clearance HIT means.
FAQs for Filipinos overseas
How much is the NBI clearance from abroad?
₱200 in total: the ₱130 clearance fee plus ₱70 for mailing, or the USD equivalent. Your own courier costs are extra.
How long does a mailed NBI clearance take?
The NBI processes it within up to five working days after receiving your documents. Add international mailing time both ways.
Where do I get NBI Form No. 5?
From the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate, or by requesting it from the NBI Mailed Clearance Section in Manila.
Can I get my fingerprints taken at a local police station?
Yes. The NBI accepts rolled fingerprints taken at a local police station, as long as the officer signs, writes their designation and stamps the office seal.
Can my family in the Philippines get it for me?
They can help with payment and follow-up at the NBI Main Clearance Center, but the form and fingerprints must come from you.
Does this work for OFWs in Dubai, Qatar or Saudi Arabia?
Yes. The mailed clearance process is the same in every country. Start at the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
Is the NBI clearance accepted by foreign employers?
Usually yes, but many require a DFA apostille. Check with your employer or the immigration office first.
Spotted something that changed?
Embassy procedures differ between countries and can change. If your experience was different, please let us know so we can update this guide. See how we verify our guides in our editorial policy.