THE NEW PASSPORT LAW

On March 11, 2024, PBBM signed into law Republic Act 11983, or the New Philippine Passport Act. Let’s explore this in this month’s blog.

 

Who can apply for a Philippine passport?

 

A Filipino citizen.

 

What are the requirements?

 

1. Personal appearance for biometric and biographic data capturing
2. Duly accomplished application form
3. Proof of citizenship
4. Valid and sufficient proof of identity
5. Certificate of Marriage or Report of Marriage (for a married woman who wishes to use her husband’s surname)*

 

What are the types of passports?

 

1. Diplomatic passport. This is issued to Filipinos with diplomatic status or who are on a diplomatic mission. Also issued to spouses and minor children of these Filipinos when accompanying or following to join them on a diplomatic mission.
2. Official passport. This is issued to all government officials and employees on official trip abroad but who are not on a diplomatic mission or have been accorded diplomatic status.
3. Regular passport. This is issued to Filipinos who are not eligible or entitled to either a diplomatic or an official passport.

 

Apart from passport, are there other types of travel documents?

 

Yes. Emergency Travel Documents, which can either be an Emergency Passport (issued to Filipino travelers who lost their passport while traveling overseas and needs a travel document to complete their intended overseas travel before returning to the Philippines or their residence overseas) or an Emergency Travel Certificate (issued to Filipinos returning to the Philippines who lost their passports overseas or cannot be issued a regular passport).

 

Another is a Convention Travel Document, which is issued to a stateless person who is a permanent Philippine resident or a refugee granted such status or asylum in the country.

 

What are the grounds for denial of issuance of passport?

 

1. If ordered by the court to hold the departure of an individual
2. If a person exercising parental authority over a minor or incapacitated applicant submits a notarized request for denial
3. If the applicant is found to have violated the New Philippine Passport Act
4. Any other disqualification under existing laws

 

When can a passport be canceled?

 

1. When ordered by the court — when the holder is convicted of a criminal offense; when the holder is a fugitive from justice; when a holder is a suspected terrorists charged with violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
2. When a passport was acquired fraudulently, tampered with, or issued erroneously.
3. When a passport is returned to the DFA by other government agencies or entities.

 

When can the government impose restrictions on the passport?

 

1. When a hold departure order or a precautionary hold departure order is issued against a suspected person or respondent in a criminal case
2. When the country of designation is in a state of political instability which could pose a danger to Filipino travelers
3. When diplomatic ties have been fractured or severed with the Philippines
4. When the country of destination is subject to travel restrictions, enforcement action by the UN, or in a state of war

 

How long is the validity of regular passports?

 

Generally, 10 years for those of legal age, and 5 for minors.

 

Is it illegal to hoard or sell online passport appointment slots?

 

Yes. It is illegal to hoard and/or sell online passport appointment slots for pecuniary gain or advantage.

 

Can you pawn or mortgage your passport?

 

No. It is illegal to sell, trade, pawn, mortgage, or use a passport or other travel document as a collateral to secure debt. It is also illegal to use them as currency or object of commerce.

 

Buyers, traders, creditors, and mortgagee will also be liable to the same degree as the passport/travel document holder.

 

 

 

 

*There are other requirements for specific cases, such as if a married woman wishes to revert to her maiden name or for minor applicants.