DFA back to regular passport processing next week

OLD Passports and new e-Passport. PHOTO FROM DFA

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs is to revert to its normal passport processing schedule on Tuesday following the completion of maintenance work on the e-passport system, which had extended the waiting time for passport applicants from April 1.

In an advisory issued Saturday, the DFA said normal passport processing schedules will resume on April 15.

Passport applicants who take the regular route at the main consular office at the Aseana Center in Parañaque or at the mall-based offices may claim their new passports after 15 working days, while those who pay extra for express processing may claim theirs after seven working days.

The processing period extended to 10 to 20 working days during the maintenance period.

Meanwhile, passport processing in the regional consular offices will go back to 20 working days for regular processing and 10 working days for express processing, after being extended to 15 to 25 working days.

Those applying for passports in the Philippine embassies and consulates overseas may claim their documents after three to four weeks, against the five to six weeks during the maintenance period.

The DFA said emergency applications by people needing to go overseas for medical reasons, a death in the family or urgent work appointments may be granted early passport release upon presentation of documentary proof—valid employment contract processed by Philippine Overseas Employment Administration or Philippine Overseas Labor Office, medical certificate, death certificate—of the emergency.