Here’s a step-by-step guide to renewing Filipino passports
RENEWING YOUR OLD OR NEW PASSPORT IN JUST A FEW STEPS ISN’T DIFFICULT IN THE UAE
Getting a passport renewed is critical for every expatriate and anyone who needs to travel overseas. Here, we break down steps Filipino residents need to do in the UAE to get their existing or old passport renewed.
This article is only a guideline. Be sure to call the consulate or embassy beforehand to ensure that you’re carrying all the documents you require for each individual case.
Get an appointment
You can get an appointment in Abu Dhabi or Dubai online, which you must ideally schedule at least 10 months before your passport’s expiration date.
You don’t need an appointment if you are a/an:
■ OFW (overseas Filipino workers) with sufficient proof of status such as iDOLE card (from the Philippine Department of Labour and Employment — Dole), valid employment contract (authenticated by Philippine Overseas Employment Administration or POEA), and work visa.
■ Senior citizen ID.
■ Person with Disability (PWDs) with PWD ID or visible disability.
■ Solo Parent
Parent ID.
■ Pregnant citizen with with valid Solo women senior with a ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Download and complete a form online for renewal at http://abudhabipe.dfa.gov.ph Your existing passport
A copy of the data page and visa page in your passport In case you are also looking for a last name change during renewal, you need more documents on a case-to-case
medical certificate.
■ Minors: Seven years of age and below.
In these scenarios, you may avail of the OFW or Priority lane at the regional Consular Office to apply for a passport. ■ basis. For example, to change your maiden last name to married last name, you must carry a Philippine Statistics Authority-certified original copy and photocopy (one) of the marriage certificate or ‘Report of Marriage’.
All these documents must be attested by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
At the consulate/embassy
Get a token or queue number form at the Information Counter in the Philippine Embassy or Consulate. Depending on what the procedure is at each venue, you might be required to drop your original passport at this counter. As soon as your number is called, the processor will check authenticity of all the documents presented and make sure that everything has been submitted for renewal
How much is the fee?
When cleared, pay a passport fee of Dh240. If not cleared, make sure you understand the processor’s instructions and come back to the embassy as required.
What happens next?
After payment, your biometric and other data will get encoded. You have to make sure your name, address and other details are correct at this stage. Cost of renewal in case of any errors would be borne by the applicant.
Collection of your passport
It might take 6 to 12 weeks to get your new passport. This is why the consulate and embassy advise getting started at least 10 months before your passport’s expiry date. When collecting the passport, the applicant must be present in person and should also submit the old passport (if not submitted earlier) and his or her passport fee receipt.
People who aren’t able to collect it in person can authorise only immediate family members for collection. In this case, the collector needs to have an authorisation letter, a copy of any valid government approved ID and the old passport (if not submitted earlier).