Last reviewed: October 2, 2026 by the NBI Clearance Online Editorial Team
The NBI clearance fee is ₱130. When you pay online, the payment partner adds a service charge of about ₱25–₱30, so most people pay around ₱155–₱160 in total. The fee has not changed since March 12, 2018, and first-time jobseekers with a barangay certification pay nothing.
This guide breaks down exactly what you’ll pay, how to pay with GCash, Maya, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center or online banking, and what to do if your payment doesn’t show up.
We’re here to help you every step of the way. NBI Clearance Online is an independent guide, not the NBI or a government agency. Pay only through the payment options shown inside the official NBI Clearance website (clearance.nbi.gov.ph). Never send money to a person or page that offers to “process” your clearance.
NBI clearance fee at a glance
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Clearance fee | ₱130, unchanged since March 12, 2018 |
| E-payment service charge | About ₱25–₱30, depending on the payment channel |
| Typical total paid online | About ₱155–₱160 |
| First-time jobseekers (RA 11261) | Free, with a barangay certification and oath of undertaking |
| HIT / quality control | No additional fee |
| Online renewal with delivery | Clearance fee + e-payment charge + delivery fee shown at checkout |
| Mailed clearance from abroad | ₱200 (₱130 fee + ₱70 mailing) or the USD equivalent |
On this page:
- How much is an NBI clearance?
- Why ₱130 and not ₱115
- How to pay, step by step
- GCash or Maya
- 7-Eleven or Bayad Center
- Who doesn’t have to pay
- Payment problems and fixes
- FAQs
How much is an NBI clearance in 2026?
An NBI clearance costs ₱130 in 2026, plus a small service charge from the payment partner you choose. In practice you’ll pay about ₱155 to ₱160.
The ₱130 is the same whether you’re applying for the first time or getting a new clearance after the old one expired. The only extra amounts come from:
- the e-payment service charge (charged by the payment partner, not the NBI);
- an optional delivery fee if you renew online and choose courier delivery;
- mailing costs if you apply from abroad.
Why the fee is ₱130 and not ₱115
You may still see “₱115” on older pages, including the NBI’s own Citizen’s Charter. That was the fee before 2018. The NBI raised it by ₱15 to ₱130 starting March 12, 2018, because of the higher documentary stamp tax under the TRAIN Law (Republic Act No. 10963), as reported by the Philippine News Agency and GMA News at the time. The official online system charges ₱130.
E-payment service charges explained
The service charge goes to the payment partner that processes your payment, not to the NBI. It’s usually ₱25 to ₱30, depending on the channel, and the exact amount is shown before you confirm. That’s why two people can pay slightly different totals for the same clearance.
How to pay for your NBI clearance
You pay after you’ve booked your branch and schedule on the official NBI Clearance website:
- Finish your application and choose your branch, date and time. See our NBI appointment guide if you haven’t booked yet.
- Choose a payment method: GCash, Maya, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center or online banking.
- Get your reference number. The system generates it when you choose a payment method. Screenshot or print it.
- Pay using that reference number through the channel you chose.
- Check your status. Log in again later and make sure your transaction shows as “PAID”.
- Keep your receipt and bring it to the branch with your reference number and two valid IDs.
Once your status is “PAID”, you have a 15-day grace period to visit your chosen branch if you miss your exact date.
Paying with GCash or Maya
E-wallets are the fastest way to pay:
- Choose GCash or Maya as your payment method on the official NBI Clearance website.
- You’ll be taken to the e-wallet’s payment page or shown a QR code to scan in the app.
- Confirm the amount, including the service charge, and authorize the payment in your app.
- Save the confirmation screen and wait for your NBI status to change to “PAID”.
Make sure your e-wallet has enough balance before you start, so the payment doesn’t time out.
Paying at 7-Eleven or Bayad Center
If you prefer cash:
- Choose 7-Eleven or Bayad Center as your payment method and note your reference number.
- Go to the store or payment center and tell the cashier you’re paying for an NBI clearance using that reference number.
- Pay the amount shown, including the service charge, and keep the printed receipt.
- Check your status online after a few hours.
Over-the-counter payments can take longer to show as “PAID” than e-wallet payments, so don’t pay at the last minute before your appointment.
Who doesn’t have to pay?
Under Republic Act No. 11261, the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, Filipinos applying for their first job can get their NBI clearance free. You’ll need a barangay certification on official letterhead, dry sealed and signed by the Punong Barangay or an authorized officer, plus two valid IDs, and you apply through the NBI’s first-time jobseeker application instead of the paid flow. The benefit can be used once. See the free NBI clearance for first-time jobseekers.
There’s also no extra fee for a HIT. If your name needs manual verification, you simply return on your release date. See what an NBI clearance HIT means.
Other costs to plan for
- Delivery: if you renew online and choose door-to-door delivery, a delivery fee is added at checkout. See our NBI clearance renewal guide.
- From abroad: the mailed clearance costs ₱200 or the USD equivalent, plus your own courier costs to send the forms. See getting an NBI clearance from abroad.
- Documents and travel: PSA certificates, photocopies and your fare to the branch aren’t part of the NBI fee, but budget for them.
Payment problems and fixes
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Paid but status isn’t “PAID” | Wait a few hours (longer for over-the-counter). Keep your receipt. Don’t pay again with a new reference number. |
| Paid twice by mistake | Keep both receipts and ask your NBI branch or the NBI how to proceed before your appointment. |
| Reference number expired before paying | Generate a new one by choosing a payment method again, then pay right away. |
| Wrong amount at the counter | Pay only the amount shown for your reference number, including the service charge. |
| E-wallet payment timed out | Check your wallet history. If no deduction appears, try again; if it was deducted, wait for it to post. |
| Someone asks for extra cash at the branch | There is no extra fee for processing or a HIT. Don’t pay anyone outside the official channels. |
Avoid fixers and fake payment pages
Scammers copy the look of NBI pages and ask you to send money by e-wallet to a personal account. Protect yourself:
- Pay only through the payment options inside the official NBI Clearance website.
- Never send money to a personal GCash or Maya number for an “NBI slot” or “fast release”.
- Never share your NBI account password, OTP or e-wallet PIN.
- If something feels off, stop and check with the NBI directly.
FAQs about the NBI clearance fee
How much is NBI clearance in 2026?
₱130 plus a payment partner charge of about ₱25–₱30, so about ₱155–₱160 in total when you pay online.
Is the NBI clearance fee the same for renewal?
Yes. The clearance fee is the same ₱130. You only pay extra if you choose courier delivery when renewing online.
Can I pay for my NBI clearance with GCash?
Yes. GCash is one of the payment options on the official NBI Clearance website, along with Maya, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center and online banking.
Can I pay in cash at the NBI branch?
Pay online or over the counter before your visit, using your reference number. Branches serve applicants who have already paid through the official channels.
Is there an extra charge if I get a HIT?
No. A HIT means extra verification and a later release date, but there’s no additional fee.
Is NBI clearance free for first-time jobseekers?
Yes, under RA 11261, if you present a barangay certification and apply through the NBI’s first-time jobseeker application. It can be used once.
Can I get a refund on my NBI clearance payment?
The NBI hasn’t published a general refund process. If you can’t make your date, use the 15-day grace period after “PAID” status, and ask the NBI before paying for a new application.
Spotted something that changed?
Payment partners can change their charges, and the NBI can update its fees. If anything here doesn’t match what you see at checkout, please let us know and we’ll check and update this guide. See how we verify our guides in our editorial policy.