The NEW Philippine Passport is Maroon.
 Since July 2007, the Philippine Passport is a Machine Readable Passport. The color of this passport is not green, but maroon. A Machine Readable Passport contains a data summary in a format that is capable of being read by a machine.
The Machine Readable Passport
- facilitates the passport check at the port of entry;
- increases credibility of Philippine passports, and
- better secures your identity.
Your Green passport remains valid and can still be used until it expires!
Why you need a passport and a visa…
The PASSPORT and VISA are two important requirements you should consider before traveling.
You should ask yourself:
Do I have a valid passport?
The passport is an official document which identifies you as a citizen of your country and enables you to travel legally across national borders. Since it proves your identity and citizenship, it also guarantees your return to your country. The passport is also important for your protection as a Philippine citizen while you are abroad.
Make sure that your passport and visa are authentic!
Please be aware that the compilation of necessary documentation and the processing of your passport and visa application may take time.
- If you do not have a valid passport, apply for it well before your planned travel date!
Do I need a visa to travel abroad?
A visa is a travel document showing that you meet the requirements for admission to a country of which you are a citizen. It permits you to remain in the destination country for a specified period of time.
- Check whether you need a visa well in advance of your planned departure, so that you have enough time to go through the process and get the visa!
To apply for a passport…
Only the DFA Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) is responsible for issuing Philippine passports.
Passport application requirements include your personal appearance at the DFA main office in Manila, at any of its regional consular offices and at mobile passport services, and submission of the completed application form, 3 colored passport photos with royal blue background, authenticated birth certificate and a public document proving your identity and citizenship. DFA- OCA may ask you to submit additional documents.
DFA- OCA is also responsible for passport renewal, replacement of a lost passport, and passport amendment.
Get information on passport application requirements and the application form from the DFA main office in Manila or at any of its regional consular offices or download it from www.dfa.gov.ph. You may also email oca@dfa.gov.ph or call the DFA Consular Information Center at 556- 0000.
To apply for a visa…
The Embassy of Consulate of the country you wish to travel to is responsible for issuing a visa.
Visa application requirements vary from one country to another. They also depend on the purpose of your travel and how long you intend to stay in the country of destination.
You will be asked to submit a completed visa application form with passport photos and to present your valid passport. You will also need to provide evidence for your purpose of travel, such as, confirmed hotel reservations of affidavit of support from host, round- trip flight booking certificate, travel health insurance, eployment contract. Additional information may be required.
Get information on visa application requirements and the application form directly from the Consulate or Embassy of the country you wish to travel to or through its websites.
Why your passport and visa must be authentic….
- Only an authentic passport allows you to cross borders
- Only an authentic passport identifies you as a Philippine citizen abroad. .
- Only an authentic passport facilitates your protection by the Philippine Government while you are abroad.
- Only an authentic visa allows you to enter and stay in the country of destination.
Authentic makes you LEGAL!
If you do not use authentic documents, you face serious consequences:
- If you use a fake passport or visa in a foreign country, you do not fulfill the requirements for entry and stay in that country. You would be in an irregular situation and because of this, you would face fines and/or imprisonment in that country. You would also be deported back to the Philippines where you will have to face charges against you.
In the Philippines you are charged with a fine and imprisonment. |
