Release of new passports to experience delays

Passport applicants who applied in the last week of March may experience delays in the release of their documents.

The Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of Consular Affairs explained the slowdown in an advisory on April 8.

"Due to logistical and supply chain issues caused by the Middle East crisis, passport applications filed beginning the last week of March 2026 may experience delays in release," it said.

The agency added that new passport applications may now take 10 to 15 working days to be released.

Additionally, the DFA said it's working closely with a third-party service provider for the printing of ePassports to resolve the current delays and to ensure that passport operations normalize as soon as possible.

Those who need emergency or urgent consular services may reach out to oca.concerns@dfa.gov.ph or passportconcerns@dfa.gov.ph.

Applicants may contact (02) 8234-3488 for passport appointment concerns and (02)86519400 for passport, authentication, and other consular inquiries.

Basic requirements for a new passport application for adults are a confirmed online appointment, personal appearance, an accomplished application form, an original Philippine Statistics Authority-issued birth certificate, a marriage certificate for married females, and any of these valid IDs.

You may book an appointment via this website.

Amid tensions in the Middle East, the DFA has also extended its visa relief program for affected foreign nationals until May 1.