Free NBI Clearance for First-Time Jobseekers (RA 11261)
Quick answer
First-time jobseekers get their NBI clearance free, once, under Republic Act 11261. You need a barangay certificate saying you are a first-time jobseeker, an oath of undertaking from the same barangay, and valid IDs. Register on the NBI First Time Job Seekers portal or at the branch counter. With no HIT, the clearance prints the same day.
What are the requirements?
- Barangay certificate (1 original). It must say you qualify under the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act and that you have lived in that barangay for at least 6 months. It must be on the barangay's letterhead, with a dry seal and the signature of the Punong Barangay or an authorized officer.
- Oath of undertaking, given by the same barangay that issued the certificate.
- Valid IDs: an original National ID (PhilSys), or two other original valid IDs. The NBI list includes a passport, driver's license, PhilHealth ID, postal ID, PRC license, PWD ID, solo parent ID, voter's ID or certification, TIN ID, MARINA ID, seaman's book, security guard license, an authenticated PSA birth certificate, or a school ID with your current registration card.
- Reference number from the First Time Job Seekers portal, if you registered online.
How much does it cost?
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NBI clearance, first-time jobseeker | PHP 0 | Once only (RA 11261) |
| Online registration | PHP 0 | No payment step |
| Regular NBI clearance (if you do not qualify) | PHP 130 | Plus the e-payment service fee |
How do you apply, step by step?
Online
1. Go to the barangay where you have lived for at least 6 months
Ask for the first-time jobseeker certificate and the oath of undertaking.
2. Register on the NBI First Time Job Seekers portal at firsttimejobseekers.nbi.gov.ph and get your reference number
3. On your appointment day, go to the First Time Jobseeker lane at the branch's biometrics window
4. Show your barangay certificate, oath of undertaking and IDs
5. Have your photo, fingerprints and signature taken
6. With no HIT, get your printed clearance
Check every detail before you leave.
Walk-in
The NBI also lets first-time jobseekers register at the NBI online registration counter inside the clearance center. Then you go through the same biometrics and printing steps.
How long does it take?
- With online registration and no HIT: a few minutes at the branch, according to the NBI Citizen's Charter.
- Walk-in registration: adds a short step at the online counter.
- With a HIT: you come back on the date the branch gives you: 8 working days according to the NBI Citizen's Charter 2025, usually 5 to 10 working days according to the NBI website. See what an NBI HIT means.
Where do you apply?
At the NBI Clearance and Identification Center and authorized NBI clearance centers. Find an NBI branch near you. Your Public Employment Service Office (PESO) can also help first-time jobseekers get their pre-employment papers, as RA 11261 says.
- Apply on the official website: https://firsttimejobseekers.nbi.gov.ph/
- Find NBI offices
What are the common problems and how do you fix them?
You lived in the barangay for less than 6 months
The NBI asks for a certificate stating at least 6 months of residence in the barangay that issues it.
The certificate has no dry seal or signature
The NBI needs the barangay letterhead, a dry seal and the signature of the Punong Barangay or an authorized officer. Ask the barangay to complete it.
You forgot the oath of undertaking
The NBI portal lists it as a requirement. Get it from the barangay that issued your certificate.
You already used the free clearance
The benefit is for one time only. Apply the regular way: see the NBI clearance online application guide.
You were a JobStart beneficiary
RA 11261 excludes JobStart beneficiaries and people who got the same exemptions under other laws.
Frequently asked questions
Is the NBI clearance really free for first-time jobseekers?
Yes, once. RA 11261 says government agencies may not charge first-time jobseekers for documents needed to apply for a job, and it names the NBI clearance.
Who counts as a first-time jobseeker?
A Filipino citizen looking for work, in the Philippines or abroad, for the first time, as certified by the barangay where they live.
Can I use the free NBI clearance for a job abroad?
Yes. The NBI Citizen's Charter covers jobseekers seeking work locally or abroad.
Can I get the free NBI clearance twice?
No. The law and the NBI portal both say the benefit can be used only once.
Which other documents are free under RA 11261?
The law lists the police clearance, barangay clearance, medical certificate from a public hospital (lab tests are not free), birth certificate, marriage certificate, transcript from a state college or university, TIN and UMID. Other government documents that employers ask for are also covered.
Is the passport free for first-time jobseekers?
No. RA 11261 excludes the passport, PRC board exam fees, the Civil Service exam fee and the LTO driver's license.
Do I need an appointment for the free NBI clearance?
You can register online on the First Time Job Seekers portal to get a reference number, or register at the NBI online counter in the clearance center.
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