NBI Clearance Online Application Guide for Seafarers 2023

by | Last updated Nov 24, 2023 | How-to Guide, Important Documents | 2 comments

NBI clearance is an important document that seafarers need to have for their employment and travel purposes. In the past, securing an NBI clearance could be a tedious and time-consuming process. But now, with the help of their online application system, the process has become faster and more convenient.

With just a stable internet connection and a few clicks, seafarers can now easily book an appointment, pay the necessary fees, and process their NBI clearance renewal or application. This means less time spent queuing and waiting at NBI outlets.

In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of using the NBI clearance online appointment system. We will also provide you with a list of requirements and fees, as well as an overview of the NBI clearance form.

By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to complete your NBI clearance application or renewal with ease and efficiency. So, let’s get started by preparing the necessary requirements.

Requirements

  1. At least two government-recognized valid IDs
  2. A valid email address
  3. A working internet (with stable connection)
  4. Payment Fee (ranging from Php140.00 to Php170.00)
  5. Ball pen (If you wish to note something)
  6. Bank Account which is linked online (Online Banking Payment)

The first four are mandatory. Ball pen and an internet-linked bank account is optional since you can use other payment options. For less hassle, online banking payment system, GCash, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center, and many other methods are available.

NBI Clearance Online Application Procedure

Following these instructions will help you save a lot of time.

1. Online Appointment

From the comfort of your home using your favorite computer, tablet or smartphone, visit the NBI Clearance eService website. You have to register as NEW Account if this is your first time.

Registering as a new account in NBI Clearance Online Services website.
NBI Clearance Online Application webpage.

Your NBI Clearance Online Application starts here.

Fill up the details like the example above. After that, click SIGN UP. Don’t forget to tick the “I ACCEPT TERMS OF SERVICE”.

A new window prompting you to verify the details you entered will show up. Click “YES” if everything is correct and “NO” if you wish to edit your information.

Confirming your first name, last name, birthday, and e-mail before proceeding and clicking YES.
NBI Clearance Online Application Start Up with Important Reminder

TIP:

You can write down your email account and password in a piece of paper if ever you forgot them. Save them somewhere safe. Or you can memorize them if possible.

2. Signing in

Sign in or log in to your NBI Clearance Online Application Appointment.

Signing in using your account with your registered email and password.
Input your registered email address and password.

You will be taken to your Profile Dashboard. Make sure you fill them out correctly and click “SAVE INFORMATION”.

Creating your profile in your NBI account dashboard.
Inputting your personal information.

3. Apply for Clearance

When you are satisfied with the information you provided, click “APPLY FOR CLEARANCE” on the top right corner of your dashboard. If not satisfied, you can still edit your information if you wish to.

Applying for a clearance after setting up your profile.
Apply for clearance to book a scheduled appointment.

Optional

You can personalize your Profile Dashboard. Click on the camera icon on your profile picture and it will prompt you to upload your most gorgeous pic. Or you can use your camera to get one.

Uploading your photo by clicking on the camera icon of your NBI Dashboard.
Personalizing your Profile Dashboard by adding photo.

4. ID Presented

A new window will pop up requiring you to choose a valid government-issued ID. You must present this also to the NBI Branch during your appointment schedule.

Nominating your valid ID.
Nominate an ID that you will bring during the appoinment.

After agreeing to the terms regarding the ID that you must bring, a new window will once again show up.

This time, it’s an Important Reminder regarding your REGISTRATION CODE or REFERENCE NUMBER, NBI CLEARANCE FEE, and PAYMENT OPTION.

5. Appointment Details

In this section, you will be asked to book your appointment schedule and venue for your NBI Clearance Application. You have the freedom which branch you’re comfortable with going to, including the date and time of the day of your preference.

MULTI-PURPOSE CLEARANCE

I numbered the image below for you to easily see it. Now I want to turn your attention to number 3- MULTI-PURPOSE CLEARANCE.

Before, whenever we apply or renew our NBI Clearance, we always have so many options to choose from. We have purpose for local and abroad usage like travel abroad, school visa, for deportation, visa China, PRC requirement, Seaman’s Book, repatriation, etc.

But now, they’re all gone. Our government abolished those things and decided on one purpose only for our NBI Clearance and that’s MULTI-PURPOSE CLEARANCE.

As what it says, you can use your new NBI Clearance for all purposes so you don’t need to get a new one for every purpose application like applying for a job, getting a seaman’s book, or travelling abroad.

Selecting NBI Branch. Appointment Date. MULTI-PURPOSE CLEARANCE. Payment Option.
Selecting NBI Branch to Payment Option.

6. Payment Option

Each payment option has its own specific instruction. But rest assured that they are easy to follow and are similar with each other. Just remember your REFERENCE NUMBER so you can have a smooth transaction during payment. i highly encourage this if you are a seafarer since its a huge time saver.

Other payment options:

Aside from online banking, you can also pay using other methods. Just pick the one below:

  • Bank Over the Counter (OTC)
  • Cash Payments (Bayad Center, SM Savemore, Cebuana Lhuilier, Palawan Pawnshop, USSC, etc.)
  • ECPay
  • 7-Eleven
  • Visa/ Mastercard
  • GCash
  • PayMaya/ Maya
  • Shopee Pay
  • DragonPay App
Proceed to Payment.
NBI Clearance Online Application – Payment Option

In my case, I use Online Banking so that there won’t be a need for me to go out and queue up in lines. It’s more convenient for me I can pay down to the nearest cents.

Choosing BPI ExpressOnline for paying my NBI Clearance.
Payment Option – Online Banking

Payment Instruction

You will be taken back to your Profile Dashboard after selecting a Payment Option and hitting “Okay”. On the top left corner of your dashboard, click “TRANSACTIONS” Menu.

Reference Number, Details of your NBI Application, and payment instructions.
NBI Clearance Online Application – Transaction – Payment instruction.

Click on the Payment Instruction if you want to see the detailed method on how to pay your NBI Clearance Application. I haven’t paid it yet so it’s still pending.

Payment instructions using DragonPay showing the reference number and total amount due.
Payment process thru Dragonpay.

As what advised before, take careful note of your Reference Number. You will use this to pay and validate the transaction.

8. Appearance

Once you pay your NBI Clearance to any method listed above, an email will be sent to you verifying the transaction. The transaction tab in your Profile Dashboard will also change from “Pending” to “Paid”.

Successful payment confirmation.
Payment Succesful.

You can now proceed to the NBI Branch that you nominated on that desired appointment date. Don’t forget the requirements including the one you chose during application.

Printing your online application form is not mandatory. In my case, I only showed the screenshot of that page including the Reference Number and I immediately got on the line.

A copy of your NBI online application.

Based on experience, the waiting time from the time you fall in line, to biometrics and releasing is about thirty minutes. It could be more or less depending on the time of the day.

First Time Applicants

First time job seekers can apply for an NBI Clearance free of charge according to RA 11261 or the First Time Job Seekers Assistance Act.

They only need to present two valid government-issued valid IDs and a Barangay Certificate indicating that they are first time job seekers.

Additional Policy

All NBI clearance applicants who are:

  • First-time applicants
  • Renewal of NBI clearance
  • Renewal but previous NBI clearance has correction/error/changes in any field, even if a single letter is to be corrected, needs to register online again.

Shall present any TWO (2) Valid Government-issued I.D’s such as:

  • UMID
  • Passport
  • Seaman’s Book
  • Driver’s License
  • Authenticated Birth Certificate
  • Etc.

Non-Government issued I.D’s such as Company I.D’s and Barangay Clearance are NOT ACCEPTED as Valid ID’s in processing NBI clearance. Additionally, a Barangay Certificate is required for First Time Job Seekers availing the free service under RA 11261.


Most of the government’s public services for processing documents can now be done online. I also made tutorials on how to apply or renew your Seaman’s Book and a step by step guide in creating your POEA e-Registration profile including their various errors and how to fix them.

May the winds be on your favor.

Gibi

2 Comments

  1. chinohernandezz

    good afternoon sir. what does re-issuance of seaman’s book mean? if nag expire ang sirb na hindi nagamit dahil di natuloy sumampa, pede pa rin bang mag renew dahil gusto mag join ng ship ngayon?Thank you.

    Reply

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