Update: May 19, 2018
I renewed my passport today for the 2nd time, and as usual I was in a rush as I got a flight on July but took me until May to renew. Never again, I should renew 6 months before expiry next time, some even get an appointment a year before. Although to be honest, getting an appointment is not easy, DFA usually opens schedule two consecutive months at a time. I have been waiting since January to get an appointment and always missed. Finally got one end of April, and almost missed, less than 24 hours after they opened May, June and July and slot in Metro Manila and as far as Lucena, Lipa, Pampanga, Marquee Mall and Calasiao were full. I was able to secure one in San Fernando La Union, imagine? San Fernando, and it was July 7 at that! Good thing a friend of mine a week before May 19 mentioned about it, that he secured one for June in San Fernando. So the advise is, regularly check the DFA website as additional slots are sometimes opened and some cancel their appointments to transfer to other sites. I was able to secure one in DFA Alabang at an earlier date. Saved me on the cost of taking the bus all the way to La Union and back just to get a passport, not to mention the time constraint.
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Original Post, Published Dec. 5, 2013
This has been another learning process. Ako na ang travel blogger na tanga. And I was negligent. I will be flying to Vietnam on May 24 and it was only on May 2 that I decided to renew my passport which will expire June 16. Of course Philippine Immigration will not allow me to fly out of the country unless my passport is valid for the next 6 months on the day of departure. I was so relaxed thinking that it takes only 1 week now to renew a passport especially because the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) already has satellite offices in SM-Megamall, SM-Manila and Robinsons Galleria for renewals. I remember getting my passport in 2008 via travel agency and it took me only 2 weeks. Fast forward May 2, 2013. checked appointment slots online via http://passport.com.ph/,
SM-Megamall, earliest available slot June 5, omaygad!
SM-Manila, June 7!
Robinsons Galleria June 15.
I was in panic!
I renewed my passport today for the 2nd time, and as usual I was in a rush as I got a flight on July but took me until May to renew. Never again, I should renew 6 months before expiry next time, some even get an appointment a year before. Although to be honest, getting an appointment is not easy, DFA usually opens schedule two consecutive months at a time. I have been waiting since January to get an appointment and always missed. Finally got one end of April, and almost missed, less than 24 hours after they opened May, June and July and slot in Metro Manila and as far as Lucena, Lipa, Pampanga, Marquee Mall and Calasiao were full. I was able to secure one in San Fernando La Union, imagine? San Fernando, and it was July 7 at that! Good thing a friend of mine a week before May 19 mentioned about it, that he secured one for June in San Fernando. So the advise is, regularly check the DFA website as additional slots are sometimes opened and some cancel their appointments to transfer to other sites. I was able to secure one in DFA Alabang at an earlier date. Saved me on the cost of taking the bus all the way to La Union and back just to get a passport, not to mention the time constraint.
********************
Original Post, Published Dec. 5, 2013
This has been another learning process. Ako na ang travel blogger na tanga. And I was negligent. I will be flying to Vietnam on May 24 and it was only on May 2 that I decided to renew my passport which will expire June 16. Of course Philippine Immigration will not allow me to fly out of the country unless my passport is valid for the next 6 months on the day of departure. I was so relaxed thinking that it takes only 1 week now to renew a passport especially because the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) already has satellite offices in SM-Megamall, SM-Manila and Robinsons Galleria for renewals. I remember getting my passport in 2008 via travel agency and it took me only 2 weeks. Fast forward May 2, 2013. checked appointment slots online via http://passport.com.ph/,
SM-Megamall, earliest available slot June 5, omaygad!
SM-Manila, June 7!
Robinsons Galleria June 15.
I was in panic!
DFA PASSPORT APPLICATION/RENEWAL GUIDE
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