Booking an NBI appointment is the first practical step for most Filipinos applying for NBI clearance inside the Philippines. This guide walks through how the official online appointment system works, what to do when slots are full, when an appointment is not required (Quick Renewal), and what changes for Filipinos applying from Canada.
On this page
- What is an NBI appointment?
- Do you need an appointment for a renewal?
- How to book an NBI appointment online
- NBI appointment fees (2026)
- Reschedule or cancel your appointment
- Common appointment problems and fixes
- First-time applicants (Form No. 5)
- NBI appointment from Canada
- Frequently asked questions
What is an NBI appointment?
An NBI appointment is a scheduled time slot at a specific NBI clearance branch where an applicant appears in person for biometric capture — fingerprints, photo, and signature — as part of the clearance application. The appointment system is managed online through the official portal at clearance.nbi.gov.ph, where applicants register an account, receive a reference number, pay the fee, choose a branch and date, and print a QR-coded confirmation to bring to their visit.
Appointments are required for first-time applicants and for anyone whose previous NBI record predates the digital system. Renewals issued from 2014 onward generally do not require a new appointment — see the next section. If you are new to NBI overall, start with our introduction to NBI for the agency and document basics.
Do you need an appointment for an NBI renewal?
Usually, no. NBI introduced an online-only “Quick Renewal” path for clearances issued from 2014 onward. Because your biometrics are already on file with NBI, the renewal can be completed entirely through the portal without a branch visit:
- Log in to clearance.nbi.gov.ph using the email from your previous application
- Select “Apply for Clearance” → “Renew”
- Confirm your information (name changes typically require a first-time application, not a renewal)
- Select “Quick Renewal” and choose door-to-door delivery to a Philippine address
- Pay the fee online (GCash, Maya, credit card, 7-Eleven over-the-counter, or partner banks)
Typical Quick Renewal turnaround is 3 to 7 business days for Metro Manila addresses and up to 10 business days for provincial addresses. There is no in-person appointment because NBI re-issues the clearance against your existing fingerprint file. Note: the Quick Renewal door-to-door option ships only inside the Philippines — applicants in Canada need a different path (see below).
How to book an NBI appointment online
If you do need a scheduled appointment — first-time applicant, or you choose the “Pick Up” option instead of Quick Renewal — the booking flow is:
- Create or sign in to your NBI account at clearance.nbi.gov.ph. First-time visitors need a working email, mobile number, valid government ID, and a recent photo (the system will use this for the clearance face image).
- Fill in your application details — full name, parents’ names, date of birth, civil status, residential address, contact, and the purpose of your clearance (Local Employment, Travel Abroad, Immigration, Firearms License, etc.). The purpose appears on the printed certificate, so choose carefully.
- Pay the fee before scheduling — payment unlocks the appointment calendar. The standard payment options are GCash, Maya, online banking (BPI, BDO, Metrobank, UnionBank, etc.), credit card (Visa or Mastercard via 7-Connect), and over-the-counter at Bayad Center, 7-Eleven, M Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier, ECPay, and similar.
- Select your NBI branch — Manila, Quezon City (East/West), Pasay, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Caloocan, Las Piñas, Pasig, and dozens of provincial branches. Slots vary heavily by branch (see slots full).
- Choose a date and time from available slots. Most branches run morning and afternoon sessions on weekdays.
- Save and print your appointment confirmation with the QR-coded reference. Bring the printed page (or have it on your phone) along with your government ID and the same photo used on the application.
- Show up on your appointment date. Biometric capture and clearance printing typically take 15 to 30 minutes inside the branch — the system prints your clearance the same day if there is no HIT.
NBI appointment fees (2026)
| Option | Total Fee (₱) | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Standard application or pick-up | ₱155 | ₱130 clearance fee + ₱25 e-payment service fee |
| Quick Renewal (door-to-door, PH only) | ₱355 | ₱330 renewal + delivery, plus ₱25 e-payment fee |
| First-Time Jobseekers (qualified) | ₱0 | Waived under Republic Act 11261 — bring barangay certificate |
| HIT adjudication (if applicable) | + additional fees | Variable based on HIT type — see NBI HIT guide |
Fees are payable online before the appointment is confirmed. Payment must be completed within the system’s window (typically 24 hours before the appointment) — unpaid appointments are auto-cancelled, and payments are non-refundable once made.
Reschedule or cancel your appointment
You can reschedule a paid appointment through the same NBI portal: log in → go to “My Appointments” → select the active appointment → choose “Reschedule” → pick a new date and time. Two cautions:
- Changing branch may require a new payment. Each payment is tied to the branch where the appointment was originally booked. Moving to a different branch on a paid appointment can void the existing payment and require a fresh one. If you must switch branches, contact the NBI hotline first.
- No-show forfeits payment. If you miss your appointment without rescheduling in advance, the fee is forfeited and you will need to restart the application with a new payment.
To cancel outright, choose “Cancel Appointment” from the same screen. Once cancelled, payments are non-refundable — practically, cancellation is only useful if you have not yet paid.
Common NBI appointment problems and fixes
All slots are full
Major branches in Metro Manila, Cebu City, and Davao City fill within minutes of new slots opening. Practical workarounds:
- Check smaller satellite branches — Pasay, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Caloocan, Las Piñas, and provincial branches typically have wider availability than the SM/Robinsons mall locations.
- Refresh frequently. Cancelled slots reopen in real time — refreshing the calendar during off-peak hours can surface openings.
- Watch for new-week openings. New slots are widely reported to release at the start of each week. Set a calendar reminder and be ready when the calendar populates.
Payment is stuck or not reflecting
Payment confirmation can take up to 24 hours to reflect in the NBI system. Before rescheduling or paying again, confirm:
- You have the transaction reference (GCash transaction ID, Bayad Center receipt number, etc.)
- Your bank or e-wallet shows the payment as completed (not pending)
- You have screenshots — these are essential if you need to dispute or follow up with NBI’s customer support
Forgotten reference number or login
Use the “Forgot Password” link on the NBI portal to recover your login. Your reference number is available inside the account once logged in. If you used a different email or phone number than you remember, NBI’s hotline (+63 8523-8231) can help locate your account.
NBI appointment for first-time applicants (Form No. 5)
If you have never had an NBI clearance (or if your last clearance was issued before 2014), you are a first-time applicant. The standard route inside the Philippines is to book an in-person appointment through the portal so your fingerprints can be captured at the NBI branch.
If you are abroad and cannot travel to the Philippines, the equivalent is NBI Form No. 5 — an ink-and-roll fingerprint card you complete locally and mail in. With Form No. 5, there is no portal appointment to book; the application is submitted on paper to NBI Manila through a service provider. See the next section for the Canada-specific workflow.
NBI appointment from Canada — what changes
If you are in Canada, the official NBI portal works for the application steps (account, purpose, fee payment), but two practical limits apply:
- The in-person appointment requires you to be in the Philippines — fingerprint capture happens at a branch. There is no consular substitute that NBI accepts in lieu of a Manila-side appointment for first-time biometrics.
- Quick Renewal door-to-door delivery ships only inside the Philippines. The portal will not let you set a Canadian address for delivery.
The practical paths for Filipinos in Canada are therefore:
- Renewal via NBI Renewal Canada — for clearances issued in 2014 or later. We submit the renewal on your behalf and courier the printed clearance to your Canadian address. No appointment needed because your biometrics are already on file.
- First-time application via NBI Renewal Canada — you complete Form No. 5 fingerprints locally; we handle the Manila submission. No portal appointment is booked; the application is submitted on paper.
- Application through a representative in the Philippines — a family member or trusted proxy books the appointment and shows up on your behalf with a Special Power of Attorney. Slower and more complex when a HIT occurs.
For the complete cross-border workflow including timing, fees in CAD, and what to do if your renewal triggers a HIT, see our NBI clearance guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an NBI appointment if I’m renewing?
Usually not. If your previous NBI clearance was issued from 2014 onward, the Quick Renewal path on the NBI portal does not require an in-person appointment — your biometrics are already on file and the renewed clearance is delivered to your Philippine address.
How do I book an NBI appointment online?
Register or sign in at clearance.nbi.gov.ph, complete your application details, pay the fee (₱155 standard), then choose a branch, date, and time from the appointment calendar. Print your QR-coded confirmation and bring it on your appointment date along with a valid government ID.
How much is the NBI appointment fee?
The standard fee is ₱155 (₱130 clearance + ₱25 e-payment service fee). Quick Renewal with door-to-door delivery inside the Philippines is ₱355. Qualified first-time jobseekers can apply for free under Republic Act 11261.
Why are all the NBI appointment slots full?
Major branches in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao fill within minutes of new slots opening. Try smaller satellite branches (Pasay, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Caloocan, Las Piñas), refresh frequently to catch cancelled slots, or watch for new-week openings.
Can I reschedule my NBI appointment?
Yes. Log in to clearance.nbi.gov.ph, go to your appointment, and choose “Reschedule.” Pick a new date and time. Note: changing branch may require a new payment, since each payment is tied to the branch where the appointment was originally booked.
What happens if I miss my NBI appointment?
The payment is forfeited and you will need to restart the application with a new payment. If you know in advance you cannot attend, reschedule through the portal before the appointment date — that preserves your payment.
Can I book an NBI appointment from Canada?
You can use the NBI portal from anywhere, but the in-person biometric step requires you to be at a Philippine branch on the appointment date. For applicants in Canada, the practical paths are Quick Renewal through a Manila-based service provider (for clearances issued 2014 or later) or a Form No. 5 first-time application processed by a service. NBI Renewal Canada handles both end-to-end and delivers the printed clearance to your Canadian address.
Skip the appointment hunt — renew from Canada
If you are in Canada and your last NBI clearance was issued in 2014 or later, you do not need to fight the appointment calendar. NBI Renewal Canada handles the Manila side end-to-end and ships the printed clearance to your address — typically two to three weeks from payment to delivery. Renewals from $99 + HST; first-time applications (with Form No. 5 fingerprints) from $149 + HST.