Free NBI Clearance for First-Time Job Seekers in 2026

Most fresh graduates don’t know their first NBI Clearance is completely free — and some find out too late, after already paying the standard ₱155. Under Republic Act 11261 (First-Time Jobseekers Assistance Act), any Filipino citizen applying for their very first job can get one NBI Clearance at zero cost. But the benefit comes with strict conditions: it can only be used once in a lifetime, a missed appointment can permanently forfeit eligibility, and the application goes through a separate portal from the regular NBI site. This guide covers who qualifies, the exact documents needed, the full registration steps, and the one mistake that costs people their free clearance permanently. Read the full guide here: nbiclearnce.ph/nbi-first-time-job-seeker