DFA launches online passport appointment system

Passport applicants can set an appointment with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for renewal of their travel documents beginning tomorrow with the launching of the “DFA Passport Appointment System by Internet.”

Initially, the DFA Passport Appointment System will be open to those whose passports have already expired; those whose passport will be expiring within the next year; and senior citizens.

The DFA said the system will be expanded to cover all passport applicants in due time.

Qualified passport applicants may avail themselves of the DFA Passport Appointment System by sending their request via the email address: [email protected] ph.

To get an appointment, applicants must provide the following information: full name (first name, middle name and surname); date of birth; place of birth; and their latest passport number and date of issuance.

Application for appointment must be made one week before the proposed date of appointment.

Applicants must wait for the confirmation of the proposed appointment and take note of the reference number that will be provided by the DFA passport office before proceeding to the DFA for the filing of their application.

They must be at the DFA passport office at the confirmed designated date and time for the filing of their passport application.

The DFA consular office said the applicants should apply way ahead of their departure schedule since the processing of passports takes seven working days to expedite and two to three weeks for regular applications.

The consular office said they expect an increase in the number of applications with the summer season approaching.

Starting last month, the consular office has been processing around 6,000 passport applications a day. The office is expected to receive 7,000 to 8,000 applicants per day once summer starts. – Pia Lee-Brago