DFA: Expired, expiring passports can be extended for one year

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs has announced the one-year extension of expired and expiring passports.

The DFA said the extension will be for applicants who have urgent travel as the agency works to “address the delay in the processing and releasing of passports which are caused by the recent unprecedented increase in passport applications and other technical concerns.”

“The extension will be free of charge while the applicants are waiting for the release of their new electronic passports (ePassports),” it said.

Overseas Filipino workers and applicants who need their passports on emergency circumstances (like medical concerns, death in the immediate family) should to go to the Passport Director’s Office, for assistance, the DFA said.

The Passport Director’s Office is located on the ground floor of the DFA-OCA at the Aseana Business Park along Macapagal Avenue.

The DFA-OCA also announced that it is extending its work hours and will now be open on Saturdays. Passport processing services is now available until 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Meanwhile, non-urgent passport applications should be filed at least 12 weeks before the intended date of travel, the DFA said.

For additional information, contact the DFA-OCA at telephone numbers (02) 737-1000 and (02) 556-0000, send an email to oca@dfa.gov.ph or visit its website at www.dfa.gov.ph.

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