Last reviewed: October 4, 2026 by the NBI Clearance Online Editorial Team
Foreign nationals living in the Philippines can get an NBI clearance through the same online system Filipinos use. The difference is the identity details: the official NBI application form has separate fields for your passport and your ACR I-Card (Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card) number, date and place of issue.
This guide covers who usually needs one, the steps, and what to bring to the branch.
We’re here to help you every step of the way. NBI Clearance Online is an independent guide, not the NBI or any government agency. Applications are made only through the official websites and offices named on this page.
NBI clearance for foreigners at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Foreign nationals in the Philippines, as well as Filipinos |
| Where | The official NBI Clearance website (clearance.nbi.gov.ph), then an NBI branch |
| Identity details asked | Passport and ACR I-Card: number, date and place of issue |
| Bring to the branch | Original passport and ACR I-Card, reference number and proof of payment |
| Fee | Shown at checkout; confirm the amount before paying |
| If there’s a name match | Verification before release, as with any HIT |
Who usually needs one
Foreign nationals are commonly asked for an NBI clearance for:
- employment in the Philippines, as part of an employer’s or agency’s hiring requirements;
- visa and immigration transactions with the Bureau of Immigration, where an NBI clearance may be part of the documentary requirements depending on your visa and length of stay;
- applications abroad, when another country asks for proof of no criminal record from your time in the Philippines.
Always check the exact requirement with the office asking for it, including how recent the clearance must be.
How to apply, step by step
- Register on the official NBI Clearance website with your email and mobile number.
- Fill in your profile exactly as it appears in your passport.
- Enter your passport and ACR I-Card details in the fields for non-Filipino applicants.
- Choose a branch, date and time for your NBI appointment.
- Pay using the payment options shown, and save your reference number.
- Visit the branch with your original passport and ACR I-Card for your photo, fingerprints and signature.
What to bring
- Original passport
- Original ACR I-Card
- Your reference number and proof of payment
- Clothes that follow the NBI clearance attire rules for the photo
If you’re unsure which documents apply to your visa type, ask the branch before your visit; the general NBI clearance requirements apply to everyone else.
Using the clearance outside the Philippines
If a foreign embassy or employer needs your NBI clearance, it may also need a DFA apostille. The NBI clearance apostille is processed by the Department of Foreign Affairs by online appointment.
FAQs for foreign nationals
Can a foreigner get an NBI clearance?
Yes. The official NBI application form includes passport and ACR I-Card fields for non-Filipino applicants.
Do I need an ACR I-Card?
The online form asks for ACR I-Card details. If you don’t have one, ask the NBI branch or the Bureau of Immigration which documents apply to you before booking.
Is the process different from Filipinos?
The steps are the same: register, book, pay and visit a branch. Only the identity documents differ.
How long is it valid?
NBI clearances are valid for one year from the date of issue, but the office receiving it may want a more recent one.
Spotted something that changed?
Rules and fees can change. If anything here no longer matches what you saw, please let us know and we’ll check it. Every guide follows our editorial policy and is checked against official sources.