Hi, Philli GF has just applied for a passport (first time). Apparently she won't get it until October. Is this correct and can we fast track it ? Or go get it in person ?
Also she's talking about waiting for an appointment but online it says they will just post the passport to you. I don't understand what she's talking about and I'm not sure she knows either. Can anyone who's done this before clarify for me please
Before she can apply for a passport in Phil, she needs to get a slot through online appointment. Most of the time, this depends on the area where she will have her appointment. If she's applying in other country, no need for appointment. Personal appearance is needed for passport application. After submitting all her requirements, she can get an express service (was only 2 weeks processing before + courier service). Normal processing would take 1-2 months and personal appearance again to get her passport.
Has this changed? Ten years ago I got my kids Philippine passports in a couple of days after just turning up at the DFA and filling in all the forms and getting a couple of pics.
My sister in law to be is trying to get a renewal and been given a date in September for an appointment. There is no priority service that can be paid for as far as I can tell unless you mean the unofficial "fixers" The priority channel is there only for certain applicants such as elderly or single parents I think.
No appointment is needed if you're an OFW, pregnant or with child/kids, senior citz, single mom. Other than that, you need an appointment.
At the time Janna was a 1 year old and James was 4, but it was dead easy to get their passports or at least it was as easy as it ever gets when dealing with Philippine bureaucracy which is something I have had a fair bit of experience of
I was able to secure an appointment for my brother yesterday around 6:30 pm (UK time). That is 1:30 am (Philippine time) where most were still in the dreamland. As a strategy, I used 3 devices and closely watched the DFA site for any available appointment. I was almost done filling in my brother's details through my phone but I suddenly spotted (on my laptop) another slot opened where my brother lives. So, I abandoned the first one and immediately took the July 2 appointment. . It took 6 hours for the confirmation to arrive in my brother's email. Note: Once you hit submit, you can't make another appointment as your details will automatically be registered. This is designed to avoid multiple bookings. Make sure your email address is correct for you to get the code/reference number. If you fail to confirm your booking within 48 hours, your appointment will be voided. Once confirmed, you will receive another email for further instructions. Another thing, wherever you are, if you book for Metro Manila, you will see "payment" option on the screen. You have to click it before you get the reference. There's no option for this in provincial bookings. Hint: Open the DFA site on multiple devices, so, everytime you refresh your browser, you won't get inactive. I noticed that around 1:30 -2:00 am, appointment dates and timeslots for the whole month of July were open in a particular area. I am very lucky to get one as I have been waiting to secure an appointment for my brother since last year. Speaking of Philippine bureaucracy, I had an experience as well. lol. Not a single penny was spent to get that "backdoor lane" as we always say. And no need to have special circumstances as well.
You're welcome. You can also assist her in getting an appointment if it's hard for her to get one as she really needs a reliable internet connection as well. I am definitely sure that slots for July, August and September are open .They just deliberately close it for unknown reasons. No need to wait for October. Tell her her that the slots will be opened everyday (especially at 1-2 am Philippine time) when everyone is asleep. I have a feeling that they are doing this so the agencies can get more slots for their clients.
Thanks, yer she's struggling she doesn't understand the website of how exactly to book an appointment, she says its complicated :/ I haven't looked yet but I'm going to try to book it for her tomorrow at during the hours you suggested. Its all in english she says. Any tips on using the site besides what you already mentioned ? I doubt it can be too complicated.
Not now it's not Jim, Filipino's are going on line looking to get a slot any where in the country. Need to give them selfs 6 months or more. wife's passport runs out next year. More fun in the Philippines.
Great I need to get the kids Philippine passports renewed, I better get cracking if I want them to have one by next year.