Most of us, if not all, have experienced some difficulty when applying for a new or renewing an expired passport at the DFA.
(ALSO READ: No More Online Appointments, OFWs Can Walk-in at DFA to Renew Passport)
The good news is that the DFA has designated a special courtesy lane for certain types of applicants. To know more about who are eligible to use the special lane and what the requirements are to use this, continue reading below:
Who can Access the Passport Courtesy Lane at the DFA?
Here is a list of the requirements for eligible applicants to use the courtesy lane:
1. Senior Citizens (aged 60 years or above)
- Senior citizens may be allowed one companion during application.
- The companion of the applicant must be an immediate relative or family member (i.e. spouse, adult children, siblings, adult grandchildren, and/or children-in-law) with proof of relationship.
- If the person accompanying the senior citizen is not an immediate family member, the companion has to provide proof of travel arrangements (e.g. confirmed hotel or plane booking) with the applicant to be allowed access to the courtesy lane.
2. Persons with disability (PWDs) with proof of disability
- The PWD applicant is allowed to bring one (1) companion during application.
- The companion has to be an immediate relative or family member (i.e. spouse, adult children, siblings, adult grandchildren, and/or children-in-law), wherein the PWD has to provide proof of relationship.
- If the person accompanying the PWD is not an immediate family member, the companion has to provide proof of travel arrangements (e.g. confirmed hotel or plane booking) with the applicant to be allowed access to the courtesy lane.
3. Solo parents with a valid solo parent card and and his/her minor children.
4. Children who are seven (7) years of age and below, together with their parent/s and other minor siblings
5. Pregnant women
6. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) [land- and sea-based] with valid documents to support their status such as:
- Valid iDOLE Card
- Valid Overseas Employment Contract (OEC)
- Valid work visa/permit
- Seaman’s Book bearing an official stamp at the international border dating less than a year on the date of application.
Furthermore, the above-listed applicants have the option to avail of the regular or expedited (rush) processing of their passport application.
The accompanying individuals of the above-listed applicants are subject to assessment for expedited (rush) document processing fee because they do not qualify for the courtesy lane, and are simply accommodated for convenience.
All applications filed on a Saturday – whether by those eligible to use the courtesy lane or those accommodated for convenience, are subject to assessment for expedited (rush) document processing fee according to the relevant provisions of the Passport Act. (ALSO READ: How to DFA Red Ribbon Authenticate Your Documents (TOR & Diploma) for Employment Abroad)