DFA Philippines to Require Prepayment for Passport Applications

DFA Philippines requires prepayment for passport, renewal applications at Aseana site

Many Filipinos expressed their frustrations after the release of passport appointments. Some are already expecting that they will be able to schedule an appointment with the Department of Foreign Affairs for their passport processing, but lo and behold, it’s already full in less than 24 hours.

What makes it worse is that there are fixers who are selling their passport appointments for thousands of pesos.

Minimizing Fixers

To help minimize issues with passport appointments, DFA will require a pre-payment for passport renewal applications. The department will live test its e-payment system in its Aseana site today, April 14. This development aims to make passport processes faster and more convenient.

According to the agency, starting today, all passport applications and renewal appointments at the DFA-Aseana site will require a pre-payment via the Passport e-payment facility. According to Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, this system will allow passport applicants to pay the processing fee through banks and other payment platforms.

Prepayment For Passport Applications

Once you enter your details into the appointment system, you will be prompted by the system to pay first.

Before your application will be accepted, you have to pay upfront. You cannot avail of the appointment unless you pay first.

According to Assistant Secretary Frank Cimafranca, this new system implementation is expected to prevent fixers from reserving slots and selling them to passport applicants. It also expects to fix show-up rates.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said that this live testing is in preparation for the official launch of the passport e-payment system. This year, the Philippine passport’s validity increased from 5 years to 10 years.

Currently, for new applications and renewals, the application needs to visit the DFA’s Passport Appointment System, choose the branch nearest you, and choose from the dates available.

This is the same system imposed by the National Bureau of Investigation when NBI certificate applicants have the option to pay for the NBI certificate fee upfront and miss the long line.

Do you think this prepayment option will be more effective?

See Also:

• How Far Can You Go? Visa-Free Destinations in Asia for Filipino Passport Holders
• Philippine Passport ranks sixth regionally with visa-free access to 61 countries