E-clearance: The easiest and fastest way to get your NBI clearance (in less than 10mins)

“I was in and out of the NBI clearance center in less than 10 mins.. tops!”

Yes, fellow kababayans, you read that right. Less than 10 mins and I already held in my hands my NBI clearance.

I hate getting needed documents in government agencies simply because of the long lines, slow service, unfriendly people and the long, long lines (did I say that already?) But alas, I need to get a new NBI clearance for purposes of travel and there is no way but to deal with it head on.

Now just a little side story. When I was still working for ADB in Ortigas, I would sometimes pass by the NBI office in Robinson’s Galleria at around 5pm and everytime I would, the guard there would always offer an application form to me, saying there were still slots. Everyone knows Gallerie has a quota of 300 slots if I’m not mistaken so people who go there get in line at 4am just to get a number. But because of my experience, I was confident I would still get in even at 5pm. But I was wrong. Plus, I was really saddened by the news that the NBI no longer honors the NBI clearance renewal card (wherein you can just get your clearance at kiosks around the metro).

Because of that, I decided to just get my clearance at the main office. After much research and texting of friends, I learned that the main NBI clearance center is no longer in Carriedo but now in UN Ave, Taft (not the one along the highway) which was fine with me since my work place was near that. It’s just a few minutes away from LRT UN Ave station and right beside World Health Organization (if I read the office right).

Anyway, back to the easiest and fastest way to get you NBI clearance. It’s this magical website (updated):

http://clearance.nbi.gov.ph/

There’s a step by step procedure in their website so I won’t repeat that. But basically, you fill out a form and pay the fee which can all be done in 5mins or less. Since I am all for ‘disseminating useful knowledge and helping other people out,’ I want to share this since I don’t think most Pinoys know about this easy and convenient way of applying for their clearance (I only learned about it last night). That and also the fact that there are still a lot of Filipinos who don’t have access to the internet.

Anyway, just sharing how I did it. I applied online, filled out the form and paid P135 via Gcash (which later on I found out that there’s no more need to add the P20 fee so technically you should just pay P115 for employment or traveling purposes), printed out the code and booked an appointment for the next day via text.

Remember: slippers, shorts, sleeveless and sandos are not allowed inside the center. There were even ‘jelly shoes’ vendors outside just in case you were in tsinelas. Bring one valid ID.

Going inside the office at 2:30pm, there were about a 100 people still applying manually. No lines for me. I went directly to the 4th floor to the e-clearance office and OMG, there were no applicants! I kid you not. Most of the e-clearance staff were young which I found interesting. I gave my printed code, the girl asked me a couple of questions like occupation etc, showed her my ID and Gcash receipt and got my picture and digital finger prints taken. Then off to the ground floor for the… ten-tene-nen… releasing of the form!

I was in and out of the NBI clearance center in less than 10 minutes.. including the bag checking at the entrance, a pee break, the elevator ride and my question-asking to the staff.

Amazing, amazing, amazing.

Plus, know how most government employees are very impersonal when it comes to these kinds of services? Well, the lady at the counter even made small talk with me, which is refreshing since I really don’t feel comfortable in the NBI office.

I really thank and commend the NBI team for their fast and convenient service! I hope other government agencies will follow their lead. And this is my way of sharing this info to other Filipinos so that they too can avail of this super duper awesome service. Kudos, NBI team!