Free once under RA 11261 · Last checked 6 November 2026

NBI Clearance First Time Job Seeker 2026: Get It Free in 12 Steps (₱0 Guide)

Looking for your first job? Good news. As an NBI first time job seeker, you can get one NBI clearance for free under Republic Act 11261. You pay ₱0 instead of the usual ₱160. You need a Barangay Certification, an Oath of Undertaking and two valid IDs. You can apply online on the first time job seeker portal or walk in at an NBI branch.

See the 12 steps

What to bring

12 steps with screenshots
Checked 6 Nov 2026
Not the NBI website

By Hassan, Editor, NBI Guide PH · Facts checked on 6 November 2026

first time job seeker nbi button in the NBI Clearance eServices box

₱0 · free only once

₱0To pay (NBI Citizen’s Charter, checked on 6 November 2026)
OnceFree only one time (RA 11261)
2 IDsValid government IDs
2 waysApply online or walk in

Quick answer

First time job seekers get one free NBI clearance under RA 11261.
Get a Barangay Certification that says you are a first time jobseeker, plus an Oath of Undertaking.
Register at firsttimejobseekers.nbi.gov.ph, pick a branch and save your reference number.
Bring the certificate, the Oath and two valid IDs to the branch. You pay nothing.

Disclaimer: NBI Guide PH is an independent guide. We are not the NBI or any government office. Apply only on the official NBI portal.

Do you qualify? First time job seeker rules

You can use this free benefit if all of these are true:

You are a Filipino citizen.
You are looking for a job for the first time. Fresh graduates, out-of-school youth and early school leavers are common examples.
You have lived in your barangay for at least six months. The NBI portal notice says your Barangay Certificate must state this (checked on 6 November 2026).
You have not used the benefit before. RA 11261 says it can be availed only once (Section 3).
You are not a JobStart beneficiary. People in JobStart Philippines (RA 10869) cannot use it (Section 10).

Is there an age limit? No. The law does not set one. DOLE has said the benefit applies regardless of age. Some branches still ask your age. If they do, show your Barangay Certification.

Students, OJT and part-time work

Unpaid OJT for school is usually not counted as a job. Paid work before, even part-time, may affect your status. If you are unsure, tell your barangay the truth when you ask for the certificate. A false certificate is a crime under the law (Section 5).

First time job seeker requirements for NBI

Bring these on your branch visit:

Barangay Certification. On the barangay’s official letterhead, dry sealed, and signed by the Punong Barangay or an authorized officer. It should say you are a qualified first time jobseeker and a resident for at least six months (NBI Citizen’s Charter and portal notice, checked on 6 November 2026).
Oath of Undertaking. The barangay gives you this form to sign. The NBI portal notice says you must sign it and bring it.
Two valid government IDs, or acceptable certificates. A PSA birth certificate or a voter’s certificate can count (NBI Citizen’s Charter for first time job seekers).
Your reference number. You get it online, or at the branch counter if you walk in.

Not accepted as IDs: company ID and barangay clearance. Your first time jobseeker certificate is proof of status, not an ID. Many applicants bring a photocopy of each ID too.

Need the full list of IDs? See our NBI clearance requirements page.

How to get your Barangay Certification and Oath

Go to the barangay hall where you live. Say you need a Barangay Certification for First Time Jobseekers under RA 11261. Many halls have a ready form. Before you leave the hall, check three things:

It has the words “first time jobseeker”.
It has the dry seal and the signature of the Punong Barangay.
Your name matches your IDs, letter by letter.

Sign the Oath of Undertaking at the same time. Keep the originals flat and clean.

How long is it good for? Guides based on the law’s implementing rules say you must use it within one year from the date it was issued. So get it near the time you plan to apply.

Can the barangay charge you? The law aims to make these papers free for first time jobseekers. If you are asked to pay, ask politely what rule it is based on. You can report unfair rules to ARTA at [email protected].

Two ways to apply: online or walk-in

The NBI Citizen’s Charter lists both routes. Both are free.

	Online first	Walk-in
Where you start	firsttimejobseekers.nbi.gov.ph on your phone	NBI branch online registration counter
Reference number	Before you leave home	Staff give you a reference slip at the counter
Best for	Saving time at the branch	No phone, no data, or no email
Fee	None	None

You may also use the free NBI Wi-Fi at the branch to register yourself. (NBI Citizen’s Charter, checked on 6 November 2026)

Before you click Sign Up: 7-point safety check

You only get this free clearance once. So read this before you make your account.

Use the right button. Tap First Time Jobseekers on the NBI portal. Do not use “Register as New Account”. That form leads to the regular ₱160 payment (NBI Citizen’s Charter 2025).
Make only one account. Never make a test account. It can use up your one free chance.
Married? Use your maiden name. Some applicants report that picking “Married” asks for the husband’s surname. Use the name on your IDs and barangay paper.
Match every letter. Your name and birth date must match your IDs and Barangay Certification.
Use your own active mobile number. The OTP goes there.
Use an email you can open now. The activation link goes there.
Never share your OTP. No NBI staff will ask for it.

NBI first time job seeker online: 12 steps

These steps follow the first time job seeker portal screen by screen. Names and numbers in the screenshots are samples.

Part 1: Find the right portal

Step 1

Open clearance.nbi.gov.ph

Type clearance.nbi.gov.ph in your browser, or go to nbi.gov.ph and tap “Apply NBI Clearance Online”. Do not fill in the “Register as New Account” form on the right. That form leads to the ₱160 payment, even for first time job seekers.

clearance.nbi.gov.ph homepage with the paid Register as New Account form marked

Step 2

Close the pop-ups

Read the Data Privacy notice and tap I Agree. An Advisory then lists the two valid ID rule and says first time job seekers need a Barangay Certificate. Tap Close, then close the delivery pop-up.

Data Privacy pop-up on the NBI portal with the I Agree button

NBI portal Advisory saying first time job seekers need a Barangay Certificate

Step 3

Tap First Time Jobseekers

Scroll down to the NBI Clearance eServices box. Tap the First Time Jobseekers button with the line “In compliance with Republic Act No. 11261”.

Step 4

Read the notice and tap Continue

The notice cites Sections 3 and 4 of RA 11261. It says the benefit can be availed only once, and that you need a Barangay Certificate signed by the Punong Barangay, an Oath of Undertaking and two valid government IDs. Tap Continue. The address changes to firsttimejobseekers.nbi.gov.ph.

First time jobseeker notice under RA 11261 with the Continue button

Part 2: Create your account

Step 5

Fill in the form

Choose your gender, civil status and birth date. Type your first, middle and last name, your mother’s maiden name, an active mobile number and an email you can open. Type the password twice. Two green check marks mean the mobile and email look right.

Register as First Time Jobseeker form: gender, civil status, birth date and name

Step 6

Agree and sign up

Tick Read and Accept Terms of Services, tap Agree, tick “I’m not a robot”, then tap Sign Up. If a field is wrong, the page marks it.

Step 7

Enter the OTP

Type the code sent to your mobile by SMS and tap Submit. You will see “OTP verified successfully” and a note that an activation link went to your email. No email? Use the re-send button after the countdown.

One-Time Password screen for the NBI first time jobseeker account

OTP verified successfully message with the re-send activation link button

Step 8

Activate and sign in

Open the email from NBI and tap Activate Account. Check Spam if you cannot find it. When you see “Your account is activated”, sign in with your email and password.

NBI activation email with the Activate Account button

Your account is activated message on clearance.nbi.gov.ph

Part 3: Profile and reference number

Step 9

Complete your profile

Your name is already filled in. Complete every field with a red star: place of birth, citizenship, full address, parents’ names and birthplaces, education, occupation, religion, height in cm, weight in kg and complexion. Nickname and identifying marks are optional. Tap Save Information, check the preview, then tap Submit.

Step 10

Apply for clearance

Tap Apply for Clearance. Pick your ID type and type the ID number, then tap I Agree. Choose a government ID. A notice still mentions a “preferred schedule”, but in 2026 there is no date to pick. Tap Close.

Type of ID list on the NBI first time jobseeker application

NBI notice about the reference number serving as your gate pass

Step 11

Pick your branch

Search for the NBI branch near you, for example by typing your city. The amount shows ₱0 with the note “This is free of charge for first time jobseeker”. Tap Save to get reference number.

Select NBI Branch search box on the first time jobseeker portal

Multi-purpose clearance amount 0, free of charge for first time jobseeker

Step 12

Save your reference number

Take a screenshot or write it down. It is your gate pass at the branch. Lost it? Sign in and open Transactions, then Details. The page says printing the application form is not necessary.

First time jobseeker reference number screen with the documents to bring

Transactions details: printing of the application form is not necessary

Error at Step 11? The system may show that you already used the benefit before. Do not make another account. See the fixes below.

At the NBI branch: the FTJS lane

Go to the branch you picked. Follow the signs for the First Time Job Seeker lane.

Show your reference number, Barangay Certification, Oath of Undertaking and two valid IDs.
Have your photo, fingerprints and signature taken. Remove glasses and hats.
Wait for the record check. No HIT: your clearance is printed on the same visit. HIT: come back on the date the branch gives you. For Quality Control: you will have a short interview first.

The Charter lists no fees for any of these steps. You will not get an official receipt, because you pay nothing. That is normal. (NBI Citizen’s Charter, checked on 6 November 2026)

Stuck? Fixes for first time job seekers

Problem	Why it happens	What to do
The site asks you to pay ₱160 (regular fee, Charter 2025)	You used “Register as New Account”	Start again from the First Time Jobseekers button. Ask the branch before biometrics if a paid entry can be changed. No refund is promised.
“Already availed” error	The system shows you used the benefit before	Ask the branch to check your record. Do not make another account.
No OTP	Wrong number or weak signal	Check your number, wait for the countdown, then re-send.
Email has no check mark	Typo in the email	Retype it with no spaces.
Form asks for husband’s surname	You picked “Married”	Use the name that matches your IDs.
Barangay asks for a fee	Local practice	Ask for the basis. Report unfair rules to ARTA.
Staff ask your age	Common question	The law has no age limit. Show your certificate.
Lost reference number	Screenshot gone	Sign in and open Transactions, then Details.
HIT result	Name matches a record	Return on the date given. A HIT does not mean you did wrong.

NBI first time job seeker FAQ

Is NBI clearance free for first time job seekers?

Yes, if you qualify. Republic Act 11261 gives each first time jobseeker one free NBI clearance, and the NBI Citizen’s Charter lists no fee at any step. You skip the ₱160 that regular applicants pay. Apply through the First Time Jobseekers option and bring your Barangay Certification and two valid IDs.

How much is NBI clearance for a first time job seeker?

It costs ₱0. When you get your reference number on the first time job seeker portal, the amount shows zero. At the branch you skip the payment step. If anyone asks you to pay for this free clearance, do not pay. Regular applicants pay ₱160 as of 6 November 2026.

Who qualifies as a first time job seeker?

You must be a Filipino citizen looking for work for the first time. The NBI notice also asks that you lived in your barangay for at least six months. The law has no age limit. You cannot use it if you used it before or if you are a JobStart beneficiary under RA 10869.

Do I need an appointment for the free NBI clearance?

No date is needed. Online, you only pick a branch and save your reference number. You may also walk in. The NBI Citizen’s Charter says staff at the online registration counter can register you and give you a reference slip. Older guides still show a calendar, but that step is gone.

What documents do I bring to the NBI branch?

Bring your reference number and your Barangay Certification for first time jobseekers. Add your signed Oath of Undertaking and two valid government IDs. A PSA birth certificate or voter’s certificate can count as one. Company IDs and barangay clearance are not accepted as IDs. Many applicants also bring photocopies.

Can I use the free clearance more than once?

No. RA 11261 says the benefit can be availed only once. The system can show an error if your record shows you used it before. Never make a test account or a second account. Check every detail before you tap Sign Up, so a mistake does not waste your one free chance.

I already paid on the main portal. Can I get a refund?

There is no automatic refund for a paid regular application. Before your biometrics, ask the branch if your paid entry can be moved to the first time job seeker lane. They may say no. To avoid this, always start from the First Time Jobseekers button, not the New Account form.

How long is the Barangay Certification valid?

Guides based on the law’s implementing rules say you must use it within one year from the date it was issued. Ask for it near the time you plan to apply. Make sure it says first time jobseeker, has the dry seal, and carries the signature of the Punong Barangay.

Can I get the first time job seeker certificate from another barangay?

Usually no. The certificate comes from the barangay where you have lived for at least six months. If you moved recently, ask your current barangay hall what they need. A barangay where you do not live cannot certify you. Bring proof of address if the hall asks for it.

What if I get a HIT on my free clearance?

A HIT means your name matches a record that needs checking. Come back on the date the branch gives you. Some cases go to Quality Control for a short interview. The Charter lists no fee for these steps. Keep your reference number. A HIT does not mean you did anything wrong.

Can a married woman apply as a first time job seeker?

Yes, if she has never worked before. Some applicants report that choosing “Married” asks for the husband’s surname. Use the name that matches your IDs and Barangay Certification. If your IDs show your married name, bring your PSA marriage certificate to the branch as proof of the change.

Can I renew my NBI clearance for free later?

No. The free benefit covers one clearance only. When you need a new one later, you pay the regular fee. If your details did not change, you can use online renewal. See our NBI clearance renewal guide for the steps and the delivery fees.

How we checked this guide

Written and checked by Hassan, Editor, NBI Guide PH. NBI Guide PH is an independent guide, not the NBI. Read who we are and how we work.

On 5 November 2026, we read the NBI Citizen’s Charter page “NBI Clearance for First Time Job Seekers” and Republic Act 11261 (Sections 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11).
On 6 November 2026, we opened clearance.nbi.gov.ph and the first time job seeker portal ourselves and captured steps 1 to 5. We stopped before Sign Up, because the benefit is one time only.
Some steps we did ourselves, and some with the help of Davz Tutorial. Steps 6 to 12 are based on the September 2026 walkthrough by Davz Tutorial, and we checked its first screens against our own live capture. We edited all screenshots, and names and numbers shown are samples.
We update this page when NBI changes a rule. Found an error? Tell us on our contact page or at [email protected].

Changelog

6 November 2026: First version. Portal screens captured, rules checked on official sources.

More NBI clearance guides

NBI Clearance Requirements 2026 All 21 valid IDs and a checklist to screenshot.
NBI Online Registration 2026 The regular sign up on clearance.nbi.gov.ph, screen by screen.
NBI Clearance Renewal 2026 For your next clearance: renew online with delivery.

Official links and disclaimer

NBI Citizen’s Charter, First Time Job Seekers: nbi.gov.ph
First time job seeker portal: firsttimejobseekers.nbi.gov.ph
Republic Act 11261: lawphil.net
DOLE, First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act: ble.dole.gov.ph

Disclaimer: NBI Guide PH is an independent guide and is not part of the NBI or any government office. We do not process applications or collect fees. Rules can change. Always check the official NBI sites before you go. Last checked on 6 November 2026. Read our full disclaimer.

Ready for your first job? Save this NBI clearance first time job seeker guide and share it with a friend who just graduated.