DFA warns of delays in new passports as Middle East crisis disrupts printing

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos applying for new passports face waits of up to 15 working days after the Middle East crisis disrupted the electronic passport printing supply chain, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday, April 8.

Applications filed from the last week of March onward are affected, the DFA said.

The longer processing times would remain in place "until further notice."

The department said it is working with its third-party service provider, which handles ePassport printing, to resolve the delays and normalize operations as soon as possible.

The advisory did not specify which aspect of the Middle East crisis caused the disruption or how many applicants have been affected so far.

Applicants needing emergency or urgent consular services can reach the DFA at passportconcerns@dfa.gov.ph or oca.concerns@dfa.gov.ph.