Effective immediately, the validity of Philippine ePassports can only be extended under the following circumstances:

• Death in the family requiring OFW and members of his/her dependent family to urgently travel to the Philippines;

• Medical or legal emergency requiring OFW and members of his/her dependent family to urgently travel to the Philippines or any other country for medical treatment ;

• OFWs with sufficient proof of such status;

• A Filipino citizen who is a permanent resident of a foreign country who is returning to said foreign country;

• An application for ePassport has been filed at the Philippine Embassy or at the DFA in Manila or any of its Regional Consular Offices (RCOs) simultaneous to the application for extension of passport validity; the release of new passport will either be at place of application or at the Philippine Embassy/Consulate nearest to the applicant’s place of destination;

• Presentation of proof of urgency such as a death certificate, medical certificate, and similar medical documents, subpoena or notices of hearing and the like. OFWs are required to present a valid employment contract processed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) or the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO). Confirmed flight details and plane tickets may also be shown;

• Accomplished Request for Extension of Validity of Passport form; and

• Payment of consular fees for extension of passport validity.

The period of extension shall commence from the application date and may be extended for one (1) year. Extension may only be given to expiring and not expired ePassports. The extended ePassports shall be cancelled immediately upon receipt by the applicant of his/her new (renewed) passport-

The extension of validity is no guarantee of admission to a country. END