PASSPORT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Q: When should I renew my passport?
A: A passport with at least six (6) months’ validity is a standard requirement for international travel. Filipinos living overseas are therefore advised to renew their passports several months before expiry. We recommend eight months, or preferably, 9 months before its expiration to account for any possible delays in the transmission of the passport to the Embassy.
While the passport is being processed, you will continue to hold on to your present passport. This will ensure that you will be able to leave Oman for any emergency. Your present passport will be cancelled only when the new passport has arrived. When claiming the new passport, please bring the old passport as it will be cancelled in front of you. Filipinos who go on frequent travels are advised to submit their applications even earlier, and have their passport renewed long before all the pages have been used up.
There is no option for an applicant to apply for a passport with more than the standard number of pages under the current Philippine passport system. The number of pages is fixed.
Q: I am in urgent need of a passport and cannot wait for several weeks. Please “expedite” my passport.
A: The Embassy regrets to inform you that there is no “expedite” process for Philippine Foreign Service Posts. Since all Philippine passports are printed in Manila, the Embassy is unable to accommodate “expedite” requests. In other words, the processing time cannot be shortened on a personal request. However, while the new passport is being made in Manila, you will continue to hold your present passport, which means you can still use it for employment purposes or for travel, if it is still valid.
Q: Can I request for the extension of my passport’s validity?
A: The option to “extend” passport validity is no longer available. All Filipinos with expiring passports are advised to apply for a passport renewal.
Q: How would I know if my passport has arrived already from Manila?
A: You will receive an SMS notification from the Embassy once your passport is ready for release. Further, Passports which are ready for release in the Embassy are published in our official Facebook page.
Q: I cannot personally collect my passport. Can someone collect it for me?
A: Yes, you may authorize someone else to collect it for you, as long as you issue an authorization letter with a photocopy of your ID or old passport, plus your present passport (which will be cancelled).
Q: What are the requirements for Passport renewal?
A: For adults, you just need to present your old passport and a valid ID. For minors, the requirements are the minor’s old passport, minor’s PSA Birth Certificate/Report of Birth, and parents’ valid passports or IDs.
