DFA to end free passport extension

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is advising the public that it is ending the free passport extension facility this year.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs wishes to remind the public that the gratis passport extension facility shall only be available until the end of this year, 2015. This is in line with the normalization of passport production,” the DFA advisory stated.

“In lieu of extension, the general public is encouraged to renew their passports at ASEANA or at any of the DFA Satellite Offices in malls, Regional Consular Offices or Foreign Service Posts,” it added.

On July 7, the DFA-Office of Consular Affairs allowed Philippine Embassies and Consulates, Regional Consular Offices, and Mall-based Satellite Offices to revalidate expired Philippine e-Passports and extend the validity of expiring e-Passports for not less than a year, but not more than two years upon the request of the applicant, free of charge since they experienced delays in the issuance of e-Passports.

The agency experienced delay in the issuance due to several backlogs and increased number of applicants that is why they addressed the situation by increasing the production of e-Passports.