Philippine Passport FAQs Part 2: DFA Courtesy Lanes, Passport On Wheels, and the ePayment System

Who can be accommodated at the DFA’s courtesy lanes?

What is the Passport on Wheels?

How does the new ePayment system of the DFA work?

Can fixers really help me with my appointment with the DFA?

Get your answers here.

Passport Courtesy Lane

1. There are no available slots for a passport appointment. Can I walk in instead?

The following can avail of the Courtesy Lane Facility without the need of an online appointment:

1. Senior Citizens (60 years and over) with proof of age:

• A senior citizen is allowed one companion.
• The companion of the senior citizen must be an immediate family member, i.e. spouse, siblings, adult children, adult grandchildren, and children-in-law of the senior citizen and must show proof of relationship.
• If the companion is not an immediate family member, the companion has to show proof of travel arrangements (e.g. confirmed plane or hotel booking) with the senior citizen to be able to avail of the courtesy lane facility.

1. People with Disabilities (PWDs) with proof of disability.

• PWD is allowed one (1) companion.
• The companion of the PWD must be an immediate family member, i.e. spouse, siblings, adult children, adult grandchildren, parents-in-law, and children-in-law of the PWD and must show proof of relationship.
• If the companion is not an immediate family member, the companion has to show proof of travel arrangements (e.g. confirmed plane or hotel booking) with the PWD to be able to avail of the courtesy lane facility.

1. Solo parent with valid solo parent card, and his/her minor children
2. Minors seven (7) years old and below and his/her parents and minor siblings.
3. Pregnant women

• If pregnancy is not visible, the applicant must be present medical certificate/records.

1. Overseas Filipino Workers (Land and Sea-based) with valid proof of status, such as:

• Valid iDOLE card
• Valid Employment contract
• Valid work visa
• Seaman’s book stamped at international border less than 365 days from the date of application.
• Senior citizens, PWDs, solo parents, and their minor children, pregnant women, and OFWs have the option to choose from regular or expedited processing of their passport application.
• The companions of the senior citizens and PWDs, minors seven (7) years old and below, their parents and minor siblings are to be assessed expedited processing fee because they are not entitled to use the courtesy lane; they are accommodated for their convenience.
• All applications made on Saturdays – whether those entitled to use the Courtesy Lane or those accommodated for their convenience – shall be assessed expedited processing fees based on the relevant provision of the Passport Act.

2. Is there a cut-off time/quota in the courtesy lane?

To the extent possible, we accommodate all applicants who are entitled to use the courtesy lane.  Consular Offices, however, may set limits depending on the number of applicants and the capacity of the Consular Office for the day.

3. Can government employees avail of the courtesy lane?

Government employees may be accommodated in the courtesy lane at the DFA Consular Office in Aseana upon request and depending on the number of applicants and their capacity for the day.

 

Passport On Wheels

When will we have the Passport on Wheels in our local government unit, school, company, or organization?

Regarding the schedule of Passport on Wheels, kindly refer to your local government unit, school, company, or organization.

You may ask your local government unit, school, company, or organization to send a formal request to avail of the Passport On Wheels services.

 

Passport ePayment

1. How do I pay through ePayment?

ePayment can be done in four easy steps:

1. Visit http://passport.gov.ph and schedule your appointment.
2. Pay your passport processing fee at any of our authorized Payment Centers.
3. Print out the confirmed appointment packet that will be emailed to you after you have paid your passport processing fee.
4. Personally show up at the DFA consular office on the date and time indicated in your appointment, bringing with you a printed copy of your confirmed passport appointment packet.

For more information on ePayment, please visit http://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/statements-and-advisoriesupdate/16832-basic-information-on-the-dfa-epayment-portal

2. The payment facility did not accept my ePayment. Why is that?

Your ePayment may not have been accepted for any of the following reasons:

• Your ePayment reference number was expired or erroneous.
• Your payment facility of choice is not an accredited partner of the DFA.
• Your appointment was not successfully completed.

You will have to secure another appointment.

Passport Claiming and Delivery

1. When can I claim my passport?

Please refer to your passport stub/receipt for your passport’s release date.

2. What do I do if the courier has not delivered my passport on the release date?

Please refer to the tracking number on your courier claim stub.

3. May I pick-up my passport on a Saturday?

Yes, all mall-based Consular Offices allow for passport release during Saturdays.  DFA Aseana does not release passports on Saturdays.

 

Passport Fixers

Is obtaining an appointment from fixers and passport appointment assistance services illegal?

Yes, it is a violation of the law.  Violators will be prosecuted and barred from applying for a passport.  Appointments not made through http://passport.gov.ph are not legitimate appointments.

Isn’t it nice to be able to get all your answers in one place?  If this article helped you, please share it with your friends and family too!

Tomorrow we will feature the answers on other passport-related inquiries such as typographical errors on your passport, what does a “mutilated passport” mean, and the authentication of documents or getting a “red ribbon” from the DFA.

Visit us again tomorrow!

Source: www.dfa.gov.ph

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