The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Monday that it will open its Courtesy Lane to eligible applicants in all of its consular offices nationwide starting March 16. The department notes in its statement that the opening had in mind Filipinos who are in need of passports, especially those outside Metro Manila.

The DFA emphasized, however, that only fully-vaccinated and qualified applicants will be accommodated. Thus, proof of vaccination must be brought in addition to the core passport application requirements. “Unvaccinated and partially-vaccinated applicants will not be accommodated,” the DFA statement added.

Walk-in applicants bearing the following documents shall be accommodated:

Senior Citizens	Senior Citizen ID Card May be accompanied by one (1) adult
Pregnant Applicants	Proof of pregnancy (Medical Certificate)
Persons With Disabilities (PWDs)	Valid PWD ID Card
Solo Parents	Valid Solo Parent ID Card
Minors aged 7 years old and below	Must be accompanied by a parent or a legal guardian Original and photocopy of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Birth Certificate of the minor, printed on security paper Additional documentary requirements if minor is not accompanied by parents
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Seafarers with incoming or active employment abroad	Must present one (1) of the following: Valid OWWA E-Card Valid Employment Contract Valid Work Visa Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book (SIRB)

Temporary Off-Site Passport Services (TOPS) will not be accepting walk-in applicants, the DFA further stressed.

“Recruiters will no longer be given passport slots. They will have to go online like everyone else,” DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. said as reports on selling passport appointment slots in social media earlier made rounds.

The DFA assured that passport appointment should be free of charge. The department has reportedly coordinated with Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation to probe and apprehend the slot sellers.

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