Philippines NBI Clearance

Last verified 2026-04-25 against National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Department of JusticeStandards: NBI Clearance photo requirements (built on the Philippine 2 × 2 in baseline; see `ph_2x2`)

Government-spec dimensions, head positioning, and file constraints.

Pixel size
600 × 600 px
Print size
51 × 51 mm · 299 DPI
Background
white#FFFFFF
Face height
50–69% · target 60%
Eye line
55%–63% from bottom
File size limit
240 KB
51 mm · 600 px51 mm · 600 px
Face height: 50%–69% (target 60%)Eye line: 55%–63% (target 59%)

Note: Glasses not permitted; photo within last 3 months

NBI-specific differences from the general 2 × 2 baseline:

  • Glasses are NOT permitted (the general ph_2x2 baseline merely "does not recommend" them).
  • No nametags or accessories of any kind.
  • Recency: within the last 3 months — stricter than the 6-month default.

Dimensions

  • Print size: 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) — primary
  • Alternate accepted at some NBI offices: passport size 35 × 45 mm
  • Pixel size: 600 × 600 px at 300 DPI
  • DPI: 300 minimum
  • File format: JPEG / JPG
  • File size (digital): 0–240 KB

Head position

  • Face proportion: 50–69% of photo height (25–35 mm chin to crown)
  • Head height (to top of hair): ~1.29 in (~33 mm)
  • Eye line from bottom: ~1.18 in (~30 mm), i.e. ~59% of photo height
  • Head centered, fully visible, both ears exposed
  • Full frontal view, no rotation or tilt

Background

  • Color: White (#FFFFFF)
  • Plain, uniform, no patterns

Expression

  • Expression: neutral. A slight smile is acceptable, but teeth must NOT show
  • Eyes: open, clearly visible, looking directly at the camera
  • Lighting: even, no harsh shadows
  • No filters, retouching, or digital alterations
  • No blurred, scanned, or low-quality photos accepted

Accessories

  • Glasses: NOT permitted — must be removed
  • No nametags, no accessories of any kind
  • Head coverings: only for documented religious or medical reasons; both ears must otherwise be exposed
  • Hair must not cover the face; eyebrows must be visible

Other rules

  • Recency: within the last 3 months (stricter than the typical 6-month rule for other PH documents)
  • Attire: proper / decent attire required
  • Quantity (printed): typically 2 colored photos for in-person submission

Notes

  • NBI Clearance can also be processed via the online NBI portal, in which case the photo is captured on-site at an NBI Clearance Center. Self-supplied photos remain relevant for consular NBI clearance renewals abroad and for some legacy walk-in applications.
  • "Some NBI offices" accepting 35 × 45 mm passport-size photos is anecdotal — the safest default is the 2 × 2 in white-background format covered here.

Sources

Can I wear glasses in my NBI Clearance photo?

No — glasses are NOT permitted and must be removed. This is stricter than the general Philippine 2 × 2 baseline, which only "does not recommend" glasses.

Can I wear a head covering for the NBI photo?

Only for documented religious or medical reasons; both ears must otherwise be exposed. **No nametags or accessories** of any kind are allowed.

Can I smile in an NBI Clearance photo?

A slight smile is acceptable, but **teeth must not show**. Eyes must be open, clearly visible, and looking directly at the camera.

How recent does the NBI photo need to be?

**Within the last 3 months** — stricter than the typical 6-month rule for most other Philippine documents. No filters, retouching, or digital alterations.

What size and format does the NBI photo use?

Primary size 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm); some NBI offices accept 35 × 45 mm passport size as an alternate. Pixel target 600 × 600 px at 300 DPI; JPEG / JPG up to 240 KB; plain white (#FFFFFF) background.

Credit card · 85.6 × 54 mmPrint · 51 x 51 mm
Visual proportions, not actual size — depends on viewport DPI.
03 — Compliance engine

Live validation
against the actual rulebook.

Every crop is measured against the published tolerance ranges for the selected document. Pass or warn, in real time — no "submit and hope."

VALIDATOR · PH_NBIALL CHECKS PASS
Dimensions
600 × 600 px
exact
600×600
Face height
50% – 69%
target 60%
60%
Eye line
55% – 63%
target 59%
59%
Background
white
ΔE < 3
#FFFFFF
File size
240 KB
JPEG q=92
182 KB
Sharpness
no motion blur
Laplacian var
1,284

The same checks the authority will run — before you submit.

  • Face height & eye line measured from the pupil midpoint with sub-pixel accuracy, clamped to the tolerance range your authority publishes.
  • Background colour checked across a sampled grid — catches gradients and fringe from poor segmentation (ΔE < 3 against spec).
  • File-size ceiling enforced per-spec — recompressed silently for sub-60 KB e-visa portals, lossless for print.
  • Sharpness & expression guards warn on blur, closed eyes, or non-neutral expressions before you export.

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