Eligibility and Common Denial Reasons

1) Legal Basis and Policy Purpose

The free NBI Clearance benefit for first-time jobseekers comes from the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act (Republic Act No. 11261) and its implementing rules. The law’s policy is to remove or reduce “entry costs” for Filipinos seeking employment for the first time by waiving certain government fees for documentary requirements commonly demanded by employers—including the NBI Clearance.

This benefit is not a special kind of NBI Clearance; it is a fee waiver (free issuance) subject to conditions.

2) What the Benefit Covers (and What It Doesn’t)

A. Covered benefit (for NBI Clearance)

A qualified first-time jobseeker is entitled to one-time free issuance of an NBI Clearance required for employment.

B. “One-time” nature

The waiver is generally understood as usable only once for the covered document. If you already availed the free NBI Clearance before, you cannot claim the same free issuance again under the first-time jobseeker benefit.

C. Practical limits (common misunderstandings)

Even when the NBI fee is waived, applicants may still spend on non-government or optional charges, such as:

Photocopying, printing, notarial services (if needed for other documents)
Transportation
Courier delivery (if chosen)
Internet café/encoding assistance These are not government “issuance fees” for the clearance itself.

3) Who Is Eligible as a “First-Time Job Seeker”

While exact administrative phrasing may vary, the core eligibility features are consistent:

First time seeking employment You must be applying for work for the first time (typically meaning you have not previously been employed or have not previously secured employment requiring the same set of pre-employment government clearances).
Barangay residency requirement You must generally be a resident of the barangay for at least six (6) months.
Purpose must be employment The benefit is tied to employment seeking. If the request is clearly for another purpose (e.g., travel, gun license, business requirement, visa, etc.), agencies may decline the first-time jobseeker waiver.
Proper documentation Eligibility is proven by a Barangay Certification and an Oath/Undertaking (commonly executed in the barangay).

4) Required Proof: Barangay Certification and Oath/Undertaking

A. Barangay Certification

The barangay issues a certification stating, in substance, that the person is:

A first-time jobseeker, and
A resident for at least six months, and
Requesting the covered documents for employment purposes.

B. Oath/Undertaking

Applicants typically sign an undertaking that:

They are a first-time jobseeker,
The request is for employment,
They have not previously availed the benefit, and
They understand legal consequences for misrepresentation.

Important: Errors in the barangay certification (name spelling, birthdate, address, or missing key statements) are among the most frequent reasons the NBI benefit is not honored at the point of service.

5) How to Avail the Free NBI Clearance as a First-Time Job Seeker (Typical Workflow)

While NBI’s appointment system evolves, the process usually follows this structure:

Secure Barangay Certification + accomplish Oath/Undertaking Bring valid ID and any proof of residency the barangay may require.
Apply for NBI Clearance (online appointment + personal appearance)

Encode personal details accurately.
Choose an appointment date/site.

Present first-time jobseeker documents at the NBI site Bring:

Original barangay certification (and required attachments, as applicable)
Valid government-issued ID(s)
Any reference/appointment details NBI requires

Biometrics + photo + verification NBI will take biometrics and check your record.
Release

If there is no “HIT,” release is usually straightforward.
If there is a “HIT,” expect a return date for further verification.

6) Two Different “Denials” to Understand

Applicants often say they were “denied,” but there are two distinct issues:

Denial of the first-time jobseeker fee waiver (eligibility/document issue) You may still get an NBI Clearance, but you’ll be asked to pay because you were found not eligible or your papers were insufficient.
Non-issuance or delayed issuance of the NBI Clearance itself (record/verification issue) Even if you are eligible for the fee waiver, the NBI can delay or in some cases refuse issuance if there are record-based reasons.

Both are discussed below.

Part I — Denial of the First-Time Jobseeker Fee Waiver

7) Common Reasons You May Be Found “Not Eligible” (or Not Honored)

A. Barangay Certification problems (most common)

Certification does not state you are a first-time jobseeker
Certification does not mention six-month residency (or states less)
Certification does not indicate purpose is for employment
Missing required signatures, seal, or improper format
Inconsistent personal information vs your IDs (name, middle name, suffix, birthdate)
Certification appears altered/erased, or is not the original copy

B. Residency issues

You cannot be confirmed as a resident for the minimum period
Your address in your ID conflicts with the barangay certification and you cannot explain/bridge the discrepancy

C. Prior availment / record of prior use

You previously used the first-time jobseeker benefit (for NBI or other covered documents)
Your barangay records show you already executed the undertaking before

D. Purpose mismatch

The request is not tied to employment seeking (or you cannot show it is)
You request it for a purpose commonly treated as non-employment (e.g., travel/visa) and cannot show employment-related need

E. Outside the “one-time” scope

You are applying for a renewal/re-issuance and the office treats the benefit as already consumed by the first free issuance

8) If You’re Denied the Fee Waiver: Practical Legal Steps

Check the certification language (does it clearly say first-time jobseeker + 6 months residency + employment purpose?).
Correct discrepancies (name spelling, suffix, date of birth, address).
Request re-issuance of the barangay certification in correct form (bring your IDs).
If a barangay refuses without basis or demands an improper charge, document the facts (date, name/position, amount demanded) and consider elevating to the municipal/city local government channels responsible for barangay supervision and/or relevant oversight bodies.

Part II — Denial/Delay of the NBI Clearance Itself

9) “HIT” vs. “Derogatory Record”: What They Mean

A. “HIT”

A “HIT” usually means your name (or details) matched or closely resembled another person’s record in NBI’s database. A HIT does not automatically mean you have a criminal case. It often results in delayed release while verification is done.

Common HIT triggers:

Common surnames and first names
Similar birthdates or personal details
Prior entries under similar names

B. Derogatory record / pending case / warrant

If verification shows a record that is truly yours—such as a case record, warrant, or other derogatory information—NBI may:

Annotate the clearance (depending on rules and the nature/status of record), or
Decline issuance, or
Require further court documentation/clearances, depending on circumstances

10) Common Reasons NBI Clearance Is Delayed or Not Issued

These reasons are separate from first-time jobseeker eligibility:

A. HIT requiring manual verification

You are told to return on a later date for verification

B. Identity/document inconsistencies

Name variations across IDs (e.g., missing middle name, inconsistent suffix)
Wrong birthdate/place of birth encoded in application
Discrepancy between the online application and presented ID

C. Existing criminal record or pending case tied to your identity

Pending criminal case, warrant, or confirmed derogatory record Outcomes depend on NBI’s internal rules and the nature/status of the case.

D. Prior NBI records with conflicting data

Multiple NBI profiles created over time with different personal details
Prior registrations requiring consolidation/verification

E. Misrepresentation / fraudulent documents

Altered barangay certification or fake ID This can lead to denial and possible legal consequences.

11) What To Do If You Get a HIT or Record-Related Issue

Follow the return instructions given by the NBI releasing officer (often a specified return date).
Bring the same IDs you used and any additional documents they request.
If the issue involves a case that is not yours (mistaken identity), be prepared for more detailed identity verification.
If it involves a case that is yours but resolved, you may be asked for court documents proving dismissal/acquittal, or other proof of case status, depending on what appears in the record.

Part III — Compliance, Misuse, and Consequences

12) Misuse of the Benefit

Claiming the first-time jobseeker benefit when you are not qualified (or using falsified certifications) can expose you to:

Perjury / falsification-type liabilities (because the process involves sworn statements/undertakings), and
Other criminal, civil, or administrative consequences depending on the act.

Public officers or employees who improperly refuse to honor valid claims, or who demand improper charges, may likewise face administrative and other liabilities under applicable laws and rules.

(Exact penalties depend on the applicable provisions and the facts of the case; the safer approach is to treat the undertaking as a serious sworn statement.)

Part IV — Frequently Asked Questions

13) If I’m a first-time jobseeker but I previously got an NBI Clearance for travel, can I still avail?

Agencies commonly treat the benefit as tied to first-time employment seeking and one-time issuance under the program. Prior issuance for other purposes may create practical complications, especially if the system treats you as not “first time” for that document. Expect scrutiny and be prepared that the waiver may be denied even if you are currently job hunting.

14) If I already used the first-time jobseeker benefit for another document (e.g., police clearance), can I still use it for NBI?

The program is designed to cover several documents, but it is also implemented with tracking and “one-time” constraints. Actual handling may depend on how the benefit is recorded and whether the implementation treats “one-time” as per-document or as a one-time package. In practice, denial happens when records show prior availment and the office interprets the waiver as already consumed.

15) Does “HIT” cancel my free benefit?

A HIT is primarily about verification and release timing, not whether you pay. You can be eligible for the fee waiver and still experience a HIT-based delay.

16) Can I authorize someone else to get it for me?

NBI Clearance issuance generally requires the applicant’s personal appearance for biometrics and photo capture.

Part V — Quick Checklist to Avoid Denial

Barangay certification explicitly states: first-time jobseeker, 6-month residency, employment purpose
Certification is original, with proper signatures and barangay seal
Your name and birth details match your IDs exactly (including suffix, spacing, and middle name)
Your online application details match your IDs
Bring at least one (preferably two) valid government IDs
If you have a common name, expect possible HIT and plan for a return date