Frequently Asked Questions on the DFA Passport Appointment System

What is the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Passport Appointment System?

It is a system developed by the DFA where passport applicants can avail of a n appointment schedule with specific time and date for the processing of their ePassports.

Who may avail of the Appointment System?

All eligible Filipinos who wish to apply an ePassport (available ONLY at the DFA Consular Office in Aseana Business Park at Cor, Bradco St. and Macapagal Avenue, Parañaque City, Philippines).

Where can I access the DFA Appointment System?

Applicants can access the appointment system via two (2) channels (Individual Applicant):

1. Call the DFA Appointment System Hotline at +632 737 1000, or
2. Log on to www.passport.com.ph

How does the Appointment System work?

The applicant calls the hotline or logs in to the website. S/he provides personal information, decides on an appointment schedule, and shall receive a reference number coinciding with the approved date and time of appointment. Applicant can then proceed to DFA at ASEANA on the appointment date for processing.

When will the Appointment System start?

The Appointment System Hotline and website will start on March 8, 2010 onward.

The Appointment System is open on what days?

It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for both hotline and online channels.

What advantage does the Appointment System has to Offer?

By using the appointment system, the applicant enjoys convenience at no extra cost. The applicant will experience efficient service, provided with a printed and filled-up application form thus eliminating the need for manual filling up. The applicant does not need to worry fixers and thus is guaranteed with a good experience. in addition to that, s/he enjoys a 24/7 access to the system for inquiries and concerns.

Why is the Appointment System needed?

By launching a world-class applicant management system, the DFA can efficiently utilize the space in the new ASEANA Building. This will ensure better and orderly service to the public at no extra cost to both applicant and the DFA everyday. This also ensures that good time management for both the DFA and the applicant is achieved.

What can i expect when I call the Appointment Hotline (+632 737 1000)?

The applicant's call will be received by a Customer Care Officer (CCO) who will gather the applicant's personal information, set his/her appointment schedule's date and time, and provide a reference number to the applicant. Afterwards, the applicant only needs to show up at the DFA ASEANA on the set appointment date.

What can i expect when I log on to www.passport.com.ph?

The applicant must fill up an online application form, choose an appointment date and time from the available list and click submit. S/he will then receive a reference number. Afterwards, the applicant only needs to show up at DFA ASEANA on the set appointment date.

Are there other channels where I can set an appointment schedule?

Currently, only the hotline and online channels are available. In the future, an SMS channel will be developed.

Do I need to bring anything on my appointment date?

Yes. You need to bring the requirements for passport application mentioned on the hotline or posted online when you procured your appointment schedule.

What requirements do I need to bring?

Depending on whether you are applying for new or renewal of passport, you will be advised by the Customer Care Officer at the hotline (+632 737 1000) or guided by the requirements list online at www.passport.com.ph.

How much do I need to pay for passport processing?

1. Regular processing (14 working days): Php 950
2. Rush processing (7 working days): Php 1,200
3. Lost Passport: Additional Php 200 if still valid

Do I have to pay an additional amount to set an appointment schedule?

No. The DFA Appointment System is provided free of charge to the public.

Machine Readable Passport

The Machine Readable Passport (MRP) is a passport where the personal details of the applicant are printed in such a way that the passport can be read by the naked eye and has a “machine readable zone” containing the personal data of the passport holder that can be read by a machine or computer.

Features

The new Machine Readable Passport (MRP) is colored maroon and consists of 44 pages. The data page of the MRP is now fully printed.

The MRP also has the following security features: watermarked paper, colored UV fibers, UV reactive inks, special designs, microtexts, laser perforated numbers, ultrathin laminates resistant to forgery and chemical, thermal and mechanical attacks, letter screen, invisible personal information and holograms, among others.

Photo Requirements

The passport photo should be taken against a royal blue color background instead of a white background. This new requirement is necessary because the security feature encoded in the printed photograph of the holder is more pronounced against a royal blue background.

New Passport Photo Requirements For The Machine Readable Passport

1. Recent Photo: Photograph should have been taken from a photo studio within the last six (6) months. Photos taken from Photo-Me machines shall not be accepted.
2. Size: Photograph size is 4.5 x 3.5 cms:
3. Background Color: Royal Blue
4. Pose: Full frontal
5. Image Size: Image of the applicant should occupy approximately 70 – 80% of the photograph.
6. Cropping: There should be at least 8 mm – 10 mm space at the top of the photo between the edge of the photo and the crown/head of the person to allow for “cropping” of the photo.
7. Matte Paper Preferred: Photograph should be printed on good quality photo paper, preferably matte.
8. Clean And Clear Photograph: Photograph should be free from ink marks, dirt, grease, finger prints and paste stains.
9. Use Of Collared Shirt: Applicant’s photograph should show him/her wearing decent attire with collar (no short sleeves/sleeveless/ plunging necklines for women).
10. Eyeglasses: Use of eyeglasses is acceptable provided there is no glare from the glasses and the eyes are distinctly shown.
11. Ears Should Be Visible: As much as possible, both ears of the applicant should be visible.
12. Head Scarf/ Veil: Use of head scarf for religious or medical reasons is allowed (i.e., Muslim women/nuns/cancer patients with hair loss/ Alopecia). However, the scarf should not cover the eyebrows/eyes.
13. Caps/ Headgears: Use of caps or head gear is not allowed.
14. Use Of Contact Lenses: Use of contact lenses for medical reasons is all right PROVIDED the contact lenses do not change the applicant’s true eye color.
15. Use Of Earrings: Use of earrings is acceptable for women ONLY provided the earrings are small.

The following photos are automatically rejected:

• Photo with red eye effect
• Dirty photos
• Image of the face is either too big or too small
• Wrong background color
• Poor quality photo (washed out image/ unnatural skin tone)
• Photo does not resemble applicant

Philippine ePassport

What is an ePassport?

An ePassport is a passport which features microchip technology. An integrated circuit (chip) within its pages contains the data that are essential in verifying the identity of the passport holder. These data include the personal data found on the data page of the passport, the biometrics of the passport holder, the unique chip identification number, and a digital signature to verify the authenticity of the data stored on the chip.

The chip technology allows the information stored in an ePassport to be read by special chip readers at a close distance.

What are Biometrics?

Biometrics are the unique and measurable physical characteristics of an individual that include face recognition, fingerprints, and iris scans.

The Philippine Electronic Passport (or Philippine ePassport) uses the digital image of the passport photograph that can be used with face recognition technology to verify the identity of the passport holder.

It captures the fingerprints of the passport holder, for identification using the Automated Fingerprint Verification System (AFIS).

What are the special features of the Philippine ePassport?

The Philippine ePassport allows information stored on the chip to be verified with the information visually displayed on the passport.

It uses contactless microchip technology that allows the information stored on the chip to be read by special chip readers at a close distance.

It contains an integrated photograph of the holder, a digitized secondary photo, and an electronic print of the holder’s signature.

It contains overt and hidden security features such as Invisible Personal Information (IPI), letterscreen, microprinting, and UV reactive ink, among others.

What is the difference between the existing maroon machine readable passport (MRP) and the ePassport?

An MRP is a passport that contains a machine-readable zone (MRZ) printed in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard. It is capable of being read manually and with the use of a machine.

An ePassport has an embedded IC chip where the photograph and personal information of the bearer are stored in accordance with ICAO specifications. These information can be read by chip readers at close distance. An ePassport also contains a machine-readable zone.

What advantages does the Philippine ePassport offer?

The ePassport is highly secure, hence avoids passport reproduction and tampering. The ePassport database is enhanced with AFIS that guards against multiple passport issuances to the same person and enhances imposter detection.

It facilitates fast clearance of travellers at immigration checks.

ePassports provide travellers benefits such as use of automated border clearance or “E-gates”, automated issuance of boarding passes, and faster travel arrangements with airlines.

For countries, the use of electronic passport also provides better border protection and security.

Why do we have to use ePassports now?

The MRP has the minimum ICAO standards in travel documents. The ePassport is the world standard in travel documents. As member of ICAO, the Philippines has an international obligation to enhance the security of its travel documents.

The issuance of ePassports will allow the Philippines to offer world-class consular services to its nationals.

Countries have greater confidence and acceptance of the ePassport since it is enhanced with biometric technology.

ePassports are already being used in more than 60 countries worldwide. In ASEAN, five countries have already issued e-passports (Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia).

Who can avail of the Philippine E-Passport?

The ePassport will initially be made available in limited number. Regular issuance will start sometime in October 2009 from whence all applicants who can comply with the documentary requirements may avail of the ePassport.

How much does an ePassport cost?

The ePassport is available for P950. A passport applicant, however, may choose between the ePassport and the less expensive Machine Readable Passport, both compliant with ICAO standard.

Why is the ePassport more expensive than the current passport?

The added security features of the ePassport are factored into the production cost. Comparative prices of ePassports from different countries, however, show that the cost of the Philippine ePassport is among the lowest in the world.

What other countries use ePassports?

ePassports are already being used in more than 60 countries worldwide. In ASEAN, five countries have already issued ePassports (Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia). In the future, all countries are seen to switch to the ePassport due to the increasing need for efficient and better border security.

What is the ePassport logo and what does it mean?

The ePassport logo which appears on the cover of the ePassport is the international symbol for an electronic passport. It means that the passport has an integrated circuit or chip on which data about the passport and passport holder is stored. The logo will alert border inspection lanes at all airports and transit ports equipped with special data readers for ePassports that the passport is an ePassport.

I have a previously issued passport. Can I use it for travel as long as it is still valid?

Yes. Previously issued passports (MRP and non-MRP) are valid until their expiry. It is a good practice to make sure your passport is valid at least six months before intended date of travel to avoid any inconvenience.

Will there be additional requirements needed for the processing of ePassports?

None. Essentially, the requirements for ePassport processing will remain the same as that for the MRP, although personal appearance is required for the taking of biometrics (i.e., fingerprints, photo, and signature).

Can existing holders of the maroon MRP simply surrender their passports and have them converted to an ePassport?

As soon as the production of the ePassport comes into full swing, holders of MRPs can have their passport cancelled and apply for ePassport if they so wish.

Where can I apply for an ePassport?

The ePassport will be initially available at DFA Manila, to be followed by Philippine Embassies and consulates abroad and throughout the Philippines through DFA’s regional offices.