Laws Regulating the Issuance

of Philippine Passport and Visa

Chapter VII
• Etymological sources show that the term “passport” is form a
medieval document that was needed in order to pass through the
gate (or “porte” ) or a city wall or to pass through a territory.
Philippine Passport Act of 1996
• This act guarantees that people’s constitution right to travel is inviolable. It
is also provides assurance in its duty issue passport or any travel document
to any citizen of the Philippine or individual who complies with the
requirement of this Act. However, the right to travel may be impaired only
when national security, public safety, or public health requires.
Types of Philippine Passport
The Department of Foreign Affairs may issue the following types of passport:
1. Regular Passport
-this type of passport is issued to any Filipino citizen who are not eligible or
entitled to diplomatic or official passport, including government official or
employees going abroad for pleasure or other personal reasons.

2. Official Passport
-this type of passport is issued only to government officials and employees on
official trip abroad but who are not on a diplomatic mission or delegates to
international or regional conferences or have not been accorded diplomatic
status.
3. Diplomatic passport
- This type of passport is issued to personal imbued with diplomatic
status or are on diplomatic mission.

Macquiling v. Commission on Elections

696 SCRA 420 (2013)
There is likewise no doubt that the use of passport is a positive
declaration that one citizen of the country which issued the passport, or
that a passport proves that the country which issued it recognizes the
person named therein as its national.
Poe-Llamanzares v. Commission on Elections
The application for citizenship may be a simple as applying for a
Philippine passport, which serves as evidences of citizenship. An
application for a passport is an application for recognition that holder
is a citizen of the state issuing such passport.

Who is eligible to acquire a Philippine passport?

Only a Filipino citizen is eligible to acquire a Philippine passport.
How long is the validity of Philippine passport
As provided Republic Act No. 10928, the issuance of regular passport is valid
for a period of ten (10) year; but for individuals under eighteen (18) years of
age, only a passport with five (5)-year validity shall be issued.

What are the application and renewal requirements for the issuance of
Philippine passport?
• Confirmed appointment (via DFA online)
• Personal appearance of the applicant (for photo and biometrics)
• Accomplished Application Form.
• Original copy of PSA-authenticated Birth Certificate on
Security Paper; Married Females (who are using their spouse’s
last name) must also submit Original copy of PSA
Authenticated Marriage Contract on Security Paper or Report of
Merriage.
• Valid Government issued ID with one photocopy
• Old passport (for renewal)
• P950-P1,250 for passport fees.
Who are exempted to DFA Online Passport Appointment?
• Senior citizens (60 years and over) plus one (1) travel companion
• Minors seven (7) years old and below (with their parents and minor siblings
• People with disabilities (PWDs) with PWD ID or visible disability plus one
(1) travel companion
• Single parents (with solo Parent ID) and their minor children
• Visibly pregnant women or with medical certificate.
• OFW with sufficient proof of status as iDOLE Card, valid employment
contract, work visa.
Department of Foreign Affairs
DFA is the regulatory agency in-charge in the issuance of Philippine passport. The
Secretary of Foreign Affairs or any of his authorized consular officer may issue passport
in accordance with Republic Act No. 8239.

Denial of Passport
1. On order of the court, after due notice and hearing, hold the departure of an
applicant because of pending criminal case.
2. When so requested by natural or legal guardian, if the applicant is minor.
3. When applicant has been found to have violated any of the provision of this Act.
4. Such other disqualification under existing laws.
Cancellation
1. When the holder is a fugitive from justice;
2. When the holder has been convicted of a criminal offense; Provided, That the
passport may be restored after service of sentence; or
3. When a passport was acquired fraudulently or tampered with.

Restricted
1. When the country of designation is in a state of political instability
which could pose a danger to the Filipino traveler
2. When diplomatic ties have been fractured or served with the Philippines
3. When the country of destination is subject travel restriction by
government policy, enforcement of action by the United Nations or in a
state or war.
Travel Document
A travel document, in lieu of a passport, may be issued to:
a.) A Filipino citizen returning to the Philippine who for one reason or
another has lost his/her passport or cannot be issued a regular passport.
b.) A Filipino citizen being sent back to the Philippines;
c.) An alien spouse of a Filipino and their dependents who have not yet
been naturalized as Filipino and who are travelling to the Philippines or is a
permanent resident of the Philippines;
d.) A liens permanently residing in the Philippines who are not able to obtain
foreign passport and other travel documents;
e.) A stateless person who likewise a permanent resident, or a refugee granted
such status or asylum in the Philippines.
Visa
An official endorsement made on a passport issued by an authorized representative
of a country to a foreigner allowing them to travel, enter, remain, within, or leave
that territory. Visas typically may include limits on the duration of the foreigner’s stay
areas within the country they may enter, the dates they may enter., the number of
permitted visits or an individual’s right to work in the country in question.
How Does Filipino apply for foreign visa?
Each country has its own visa application requirements, but in general, like any
other citizen of a country trying to apply for foreign visa, as according to
Passportindex.org, an applicant must look on the official government immigration
website of the country he/she intend to visit and check requirements for that visa
application as well as fill out the required travel application form.
 Philippine Visa-Free Countries
In 2020, Philippine passport holders are allowed travel to 67 countries and territories, visa-free.
These are:
Africa Americas Asia
Cape Bolivia Brunei
Comores Island Brazil Cambodia
Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Colombia Hongkong (SAR China)

Gambia Costa Rica Indonesia

Guinea-Bissau Ecuador Kazakhstan
Kenya Nicaragua Kyrgyzstan
Malawi Peru Laos
Madagascar Suriname Macao (SAR China)
Mauritania Malaysia
Mauritius Maldives
Morocco Mongolia
Mozambique Myanmar
Rwanda Nepal
Senegal Singapore
CARIBBEAN MIDDLE EAST OCEANIA
Barbados Armenia Cook Islanda
Dominica Iran Fiji
Haiti Israel Marshall Islan
St. Lucia Palestinian Territory Micronesia

St. Vincent and the Niue

Grenadines Palau Island
Trinidad and Tobago Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Tuvalu
Vanuatu