Quick answer
Payment methods named by NBI
The current NBI how-to page names GCash, Maya, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center and Online Banking as payment choices. Availability can change in the live portal, so use the options displayed for your own transaction.
What each channel generally involves
Digital wallets and online banking typically route the payment through a bills-payment or biller option inside the app, where you select the NBI biller and enter the reference number. Over-the-counter partners such as 7-Eleven and Bayad Center typically ask for the reference number on a payment slip or at the cashier. The exact menu labels and field names change over time, so follow what your current app or cashier screen shows and match the NBI reference number exactly. Our NBI Clearance fee guide explains what the total usually covers.
Expect a service charge on top of the fee
Payment channels usually add their own service charge to the NBI fee. The official portal shows the live total for your transaction before you confirm, so read that total rather than relying on an amount you saw in an old post. If you are paying through GCash specifically, see the GCash payment steps for that flow.
| Channel type | What to prepare | What to check before confirming |
|---|---|---|
| E-wallet (GCash, Maya) | Reference number, enough wallet balance for the total | Biller name, reference number, total amount |
| Over the counter (7-Eleven, Bayad Center) | Reference number written or shown on your phone | Payee name, reference number, amount on the slip |
| Online banking | Reference number, enrolled biller if your bank requires it | Biller, reference number, total amount |
Reference number: save it before paying
Once you select the payment route, the NBI system generates a reference number. NBI describes this as a code you should copy, screenshot or print because it connects the transaction to your payment and branch visit.
Where to find it again
If you lose the reference number, sign back in to the official portal and open the transaction — the code is attached to your application there. Do not guess it and do not reuse a reference number from an older or different transaction.
One reference per transaction
Each NBI transaction generates its own reference number. A payment made against the wrong reference may not move your intended application forward, even if the money left your wallet. This is why the safe sequence is always: generate, save, then pay.
After payment
Wait until the portal shows the correct transaction status. Keep the receipt. If the payment does not reflect, confirm the reference number and transaction first instead of immediately paying again.
How long posting can take
Payment posting is not always instant. Allow a reasonable period for the channel and the NBI system to synchronize, then log back in and recheck the transaction status rather than relying on a wallet SMS alone. If the status is still not updated after that, follow the steps in our guide on what to do when a payment is not reflected.
What to keep while you wait
Keep the payment receipt, the transaction or confirmation number from the channel, the date and time of payment, and a screenshot of the NBI transaction page. Store these until the clearance is released — they are your evidence if anything needs to be traced later.
Payment safety checklist
- Start from your own application on the official NBI domain.
- Use the reference number generated by that transaction.
- Choose a payment method offered by the live NBI system.
- Read the payee name, reference and total on the confirmation screen before approving.
- Save your receipt and transaction records until the clearance is released.
- Return to the official portal to check payment status.
- Do not send payment to a private person, social-media account or “agent.”
This sequence protects you from two common problems: paying the wrong reference number and paying an unofficial person who cannot update your NBI transaction.
Match the payment to the correct transaction
The safest payment begins after the official portal generates the application reference number. Read the payee, reference and amount before confirming. Sending the correct amount to the wrong reference can still leave the intended transaction unpaid.
| Stage | Evidence to keep |
|---|---|
| Before payment | The reference number and total generated by the official system. |
| During payment | The authorized channel, payee and reference displayed for confirmation. |
| After payment | The receipt, transaction ID, date, time and amount. |
| Portal confirmation | A screen showing that the matching NBI transaction changed to PAID. |
Common payment mistakes and how to avoid them
Paying before the reference number exists
Some applicants pay first and try to attach the payment later. The NBI flow works the other way: the transaction and its reference number must exist before payment, because the reference is what links the money to your application.
Reusing an old reference number
A reference number from a previous application, a friend's transaction or an old screenshot belongs to a different record. Always generate a fresh reference for the current transaction and verify that the payment screen shows it.
Paying through chat or social-media sellers
Anyone offering to "process" your payment through chat is not part of the official flow. Use only the channels named in your live NBI transaction. If you already paid someone unofficially, keep all chat records and receipts — you will need them if you report the incident.
Avoid payment scams
Do not send money to a personal wallet because someone promises an appointment, faster HIT release or guaranteed clearance. Never reveal an OTP or permit remote access to your phone. NBI Clearance Help does not collect application payments. For an unresolved transaction, use the payment provider and current official NBI support with a redacted receipt.
Red flags to watch for
- Requests to send money to a personal GCash or Maya number.
- Promises of a guaranteed slot, faster HIT release or same-day clearance for a fee.
- Anyone asking for your portal password, OTP or MPIN.
- "Support" accounts on social media that are not linked from nbi.gov.ph.
When you are ready to continue, book an appointment through the official portal using your paid transaction.
Payment FAQs
Which payment methods does NBI list?
The current NBI how-to guide names GCash, Maya, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center and Online Banking. Channel availability can change, so use the options shown in the live portal for your own transaction.
Do I need the reference number before paying?
Yes. Generate the reference number on the official NBI portal first. NBI describes it as the code used for payment and branch processing, so a payment made without it cannot be matched safely to your application.
What if the payment is still pending?
Keep the receipt, verify the reference number and do not immediately pay again. Allow a reasonable period for the status to update, recheck the official portal, then use official support if it remains unresolved.
Can I pay at the branch on the day of my appointment?
Follow the payment options shown in your live NBI transaction. The official online flow generates a reference number and expects payment through a supported channel before branch processing, so confirm the current instructions in the portal rather than assuming walk-in payment is accepted.
What should I do if I paid the wrong amount or used the wrong reference?
Do not pay again right away. Keep the receipt and the details of both the intended and the actual transaction, then contact the payment provider and official NBI support. A wrong reference does not automatically transfer to the correct transaction.
Can someone else pay the NBI fee for me?
The payment is tied to the reference number generated by the applicant's own NBI transaction. If someone helps you pay, never share your portal password or OTP with them, and make sure the correct reference number and amount are used.
Is there a deadline to pay after getting the reference number?
This guide does not state a fixed payment deadline. Check the instructions shown with your transaction in the official portal and avoid letting an unpaid transaction sit so long that the portal marks it expired or cancelled.