Tuesday, January 5, 2010

How to get E-Passport in 45 minutes or less



Even though speculated rumors of Green passports not to be honored in some countries starting April 2010 have been opposed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), I still decided to renew my Green passport into E-Passsport. The E-Passport is newer than the Machine-Readable Passport, and has various security features including a hidden encoded image; an ultra-thin, holographic laminate; and a tamper-proof electronic microchip. It costs Php950 for normal processing time of 14 days, while Php1,200 for rush processing of 7 days.

I am not sure if E-Passports are already being offered to New Passport Applicants. As far as I know, it's only available for people who would like to renew.

I'd like to share with you my experience of having to process my E-Passport Renewal in less than 45 minutes. Some tips included as well.

For E-Passport Renewal, you only need to follow four (4) very simple steps:

  1. Get an appointment using the DFA website. You just need to fill it up by providing your details. Upon clicking submit, you will get a notification e-mail. Make sure your e-mail address is accurate. After a few days, you will receive another e-mail indicating the date and time of your appointment.
  2. Be present with the requirements on your appointment date. As written in the e-mail, you need to print it out and together bring the following with you when you proceed to DFA: current passport, photocopy of the inside front and back covers of your current passport, photocopy of your latest departure and arrival stamps, printed and filled up application form. TIP! When you get to the area of DFA, many people wearing IDs will talk to you, acting as if they are officials of DFA. They will guide you to take photos, thumbmarks, etc. DO NOT go with them. You DON'T need photos for E-Passport, because it will be taken using DFA's camera. Most, if not all, of the people outside the DFA entrance are illegitimate to having your passports renewed. DO NOT mind them and go straight to the DFA entrance. Remember, they will seem to be very legit in talking and in leading, but please don't let your guards down.
  3. Follow the steps in your printed e-mail from DFA and take it from there. Most probably, the e-mail will tell you to proceed to Window 28. (1) Processing - all the photocopies will be checked and your current passport be placed holes; (2) Payment - you need to pay Php950 or Php1,200 at the cashier counter nearby; (3) Collection - you will then proceed to 2nd floor, where your biometrics and photo will be taken. After which, you need to sign a waiver that your details are correct, then you're done! TIP! Ask the guards around immediately if you don't know where to go. Remember to keep the original receipt with you. You will need to it claim your E-Passport.
  4. Claim or have your E-Passport delivered. Depending on your preference, you may opt to go back to DFA and claim your passport on the said date; or you may opt to have your E-Passport delivered to you by courier companies located across DFA Gate 2 or the Basketball Court. TIP! For the price of Php99, 2GO will claim the E-Passport for you (so you have to leave the original receipt to them) and they will deliver it straight to your house.
There you have it. For more information, you may visit the DFA Passport Site. I hope you will also have a fast transaction time in DFA. Let me know your experience by commenting below.

Update (March 08, 2010): New website, improved appointment procedures and brand new office to process your E-Passports. Make sure to login to the new website - www.passport.com.ph.

31 comments:

Hi! Yes, new applicants are of course given e-passports already when they apply; the DFA is moving towards this.

On a side note, your title is somehow misleading. Helpful article nevertheless.

Thanks to the tips, Glenn. I was able to renew mine in less than 45 minutes, indeed!

I agree completely with Juan Miguel regarding your title. It is misleading. The article though is very informative. For residents outside of MetroManila it would be useful if future articles would include other data say whether the facility is only for MetroManila residents. Thanks for the article.

This is cool, thanks Glenn !!
i just submitted my online appointment and they confirmed me thru email.,waiting for the app date ..but, i was about to change my marital status so i put in my new surname in the online app form(is this correct?)help pls



Mari

Hi Mari! I'm not sure if you should put your new surname already if you're just about to be married. I suggest you contact the DFA office first through phone to ask about it and also try asking if they had moved to their new building in Paranaque.

Numbers are 556-4080 / 556-4081 / 556-4078 / 556-2988 (Monday-Friday / 8am-5pm)

bro! salamat ng marami! malaking tulong ang post mo. medyo may problema lang sa download ng application form, maybe dahil down ang dfa website.

Thanks for the helpful info. I do have a couple of questions, though.

1. There is only one downloadable application form in the DFA website that has "Machine Readable Passport Application" at the top. Is this the same application form for the e-Passport or is there a separate form?

2. 3 ID photos are required in the MRP application form. Since your photo will be taken at the DFA, are these 3 ID photos still required?

Thanks in advance.

Hi, George.

1. MRP application form is the same form to be used for E-Passport application.

2. No need for ID pictures. It will be taken digitally. Beware that many people outside DFA will tell you that you need photos and thumbmarks in the form - that is not true.

Thank you so much . I have the family's passports to renew...oNE BIG HELP ITO!!

i am a first time applicant, just wanna know if they still interview you and what are the possible questions they ask.. im really nervous about it... pls hope u could help me... jade

and oh, i didnt get any confirmation in my email address.. though i did had an apppointment already and i do have my appointment number as well.. is that ok or not?

Hi Jade!

No interview actually if it's just a passport you're getting. E-passport will only need you personally there for e-picture and e-signature, plus payment. Nothing to be nervous about.

I'm not sure if you need to wait for an email with the new system now. Just keep the confirmation number with you when you go to the new DFA office near MOA. :)

Its my first time to get passport. I had an appointment already but why do I have to wait for almost two months? My schedule is June 21, my concern is I need passport as soon as possible. Is there any other way on requesting for reschedule me earlier than the said date? please help me. Thanks in advance

Hi Anonymous. With the new procedure of DFA passport application, I'm sorry I cannot answer your question above. The best way is for you to call their office. As far as I know, there is a surge of passport application this summer - may be the reason for the long appointment date.

Reserving a time slot online made no sense. When I got to DFA, the scheduled appointment was disregarded and everyone had to line up anyway. there were 450 applicants before me. What's the use of setting the appointment.. Sad to say, the new system very much failed my expectations.

HI. just need some clarifications.

1. 3 ID pictures not required for new applicants?

2. do i need to paste a picture on the application form?

3. if our photo will be digitally captured there, i guess i need to go there in decent attire, right?
(how do i look n the passport after a long queue of line & hot weather???)

4. the message before mine says that scheduled appointment was disregarded. No priority line for these applicants?

Thanks.

@Neelia: my answers will be based on my experience, meaning not sure if it is still applicable now. If applying for E-Passport, no need for any id pictures to be pasted on the form. No prescribed attire, but I opted to wear a collared shirt to be sure.

how many hours or days should i wait before getting a confirmation letter for the appointment?

Before the new system was implemented, you'll be done in 4 days. However, I heard that the new system is full of applications and some take months. Better to try visiting the website as written above, and try to see when the available schedule is.

how to apply a new passport in cebu?

Is there any way that i could do to change my schedule and make it earlier than the selected schedule on my passport application?

I suggest calling DFA to personally ask this.

hello, if i may ask..when will the DFA website be up and running?

thanks.

Thanks for sharing those excellent tips here.

http://www.expresspassport.com/

I suggest calling DFA to personally ask this.

Before the new system was implemented, you'll be done in 4 days. However, I heard that the new system is full of applications and some take months. Better to try visiting the website as written above, and try to see when the available schedule is.

HI. just need some clarifications.

1. 3 ID pictures not required for new applicants?

2. do i need to paste a picture on the application form?

3. if our photo will be digitally captured there, i guess i need to go there in decent attire, right?
(how do i look n the passport after a long queue of line & hot weather???)

4. the message before mine says that scheduled appointment was disregarded. No priority line for these applicants?

Thanks.

hi im janet..........tnung koh lng poh kung anu ang gagawin koh kung wala akung lumang i.d?/i just have a new NBI and POLICE CLERANCE??????i hope u can help me becasue i really need this passport as soon as possible.thankz A lot for advance.........

May I ask how long does it really takes to have your new passport released?I went to DFA Pampanga and they said there that it takes 65 working days for regular and 50 working days for rush,whereas I read in some forums that it will take 25 working days for regular application and 15 working days for rush.I urgently need to have a new passport.

Hi DSP! My passport only took about 3 weeks. I'm not sure how long the processing is nowadays.

If you're just renewing your passport, you can go to DFA and have the expiration extended. It will be quick. But if you're getting a brand new passport, I'm not sure how they can make it faster.

Hi DSP! My passport only took about 3 weeks. I'm not sure how long the processing is nowadays.

If you're just renewing your passport, you can go to DFA and have the expiration extended. It will be quick. But if you're getting a brand new passport, I'm not sure how they can make it faster.

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