DFA opens passport courtesy lane

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will accept a limited number of qualified and fully vaccinated passport applicants in its courtesy lane in Aseana, Parañaque City starting March 14.

In an advisory, the DFA Office of Consular Affairs said a maximum of 300 walk-in applicants will be accepted daily from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in its courtesy lane for passport applications.

Among those who can avail of this service are senior citizens, pregnant applicants, persons with disabilities, solo parents, minors aged seven years old and below and overseas Filipino workers.

Those who would avail of the courtesy lane must be fully vaccinated, with the minor applicants following the vaccination status of their accompanying parents or guardians.

Senior citizens and PWDs may also be accompanied by an immediate family member or traveling companion, who may also avail of the courtesy lane privileges.

Applicants must present documents to prove their status, such as medical records, birth certificates or IDs for senior citizen, PWD and solo parent. OFWs may present a valid Overseas Workers Welfare Administration e-card, employment contract, work visa of seafarer’s identification and record book as proof of their status.

According to the DFA, the courtesy lane privileges may also be extended to applicants in exceptional and emergency cases, upon approval of the written request to the secretary of foreign affairs, undersecretary for civilian security and consular concerns or assistant secretary for consular affairs.

“The cap of 300 applicants is implemented to accommodate applicants who have booked appointment slots during the same period,” said the agency.