NBI Clearance for Foreigners (No ACR Number) 

If you’re a foreigner and want to apply for NBI Clearance for foreigners but don’t have an ACR number, you can still proceed. Since the online system requires an ACR to submit the form, foreigners must apply in person instead.

Simply visit the NBI office, where your information will be encoded manually, and you can continue the process without an online appointment.

Below is the correct step-by-step process, the exact offices you need to go to, and the requirements.

Why Foreigners Need NBI Clearance

Foreign nationals in the Philippines are required to secure an NBI Clearance to prove they have no criminal record in the country. It is a prerequisite for:

• Marriage visa (13A)
• Spousal visa
• Long-term stay permits
• Other immigration-related applications

Requirements for Foreigners Applying for NBI Clearance

Prepare the following:

• Original Passport (with latest arrival stamp)
• Any valid visa (tourist, temporary visitor, etc.)
• 1 Government-recognized ID (optional but helpful)
• 2×2 Photo – white background
  If you don’t have it, the assistance office can take one for you
  
• Payment
  • Clearance fee: ₱240
  • Photo fee (if needed): ₱80
    
• Printed information sheet (they will give this after manual encoding)

Full Step-by-Step Process for Foreigners

This entire guide covers the complete NBI Clearance for Foreigners process, especially for applicants without an ACR number.

Step 1: Visit the NBI Online Assistance Office

Because the online portal requires an ACR number, the staff here will manually:

• Encode your personal information
• Leave ACR field blank (they have access tools to bypass the error)
• Take your photograph if needed
• Print your application form
• Give you your Reference Number

Fees:

• Assistance + encoding: included
• Photo (if needed): ₱80

Step 2: Go to the NBI Clearance Center

Bring the printed form from the assistance office.

At the NBI Clearance Center:

• Submit your application form
• They will give you a white fingerprint card to fill out
• You must write:
  
  • Full name
  • Citizenship
  • Date & place of birth
  • Spouse name (if married)
  • Other basic details
    

Step 3: Biometrics + Photo Capture

Two types of fingerprinting will be done:

1. Digital biometrics (glass scanner)
2. Manual ink fingerprints (rolled prints on the fingerprint card)

Foreigners almost always undergo both.

Step 4: HIT Verification

Many foreigners trigger a “HIT” because:

• System sees multiple similar names
• You are a foreign national
• Or you have incomplete local records

When HIT appears, you must go to the NBI Quality Control / Verification Room for additional manual fingerprinting.

Step 5: Returning for Release

Foreigners with a HIT are instructed to:

• Return after 15–20 working days
  (as printed on the form)

On the release date:

• Claim your official NBI Clearance
• If you need it for visa application, you can request:
  
  • “For Immigration Purpose”
  • “For Marriage Visa Requirement”

Conclusion

The NBI Clearance for foreigners process can be confusing, but visiting the office in person solves the issue. At the moment, foreigners cannot get an online appointment or complete the application online, so they must visit the NBI office physically to process their clearance.