Are you a Filipino expat in Dubai on work, study, or business visa? If so, you must hold a valid Philippine passport. Your passport is more than just an ID. You need it for visa renewals, traveling abroad, and starting a business. It is always best practice to apply for a Philippine passport renewal at least 9 to 10 months before expiry.
With our step-by-step guide, navigating the passport renewal process is quick, simple, and hassle-free. Continue reading to learn about the complete renewal process, including the required documents, steps, and fees.
- Overview
- Required Documents
- How to Renew a Philippine Passport in Dubai
- Consulate and Renewal Centre General Information
- FAQs
Overview of Philippine Passport Renewal in Dubai
Want to travel to the holiday destinations from Dubai as a Filipino resident? You must have a valid passport with at least six months of validity. If your passport is near expiry, apply for a Philippine passport renewal in time to avoid inconvenience. Here are a few things to know before applying:
- Applicants must be citizens of the Philippines with a valid UAE residence visa.
- Philippine passports are valid for ten years for individuals aged 18 and above and five years for those under 18.
- Apply at least nine to ten months before the date of expiration.
The Philippine Consulate General and the VFS ePassport Renewal Centre deal with renewal applications in Dubai. Read ahead to learn more about the application process.
Required Documents
Arrange the following documents for Philippine passport renewal before starting the application:
E-Passport Renewal General Documents
Here are the general documents required for the Philippine e-passport renewal:
- Online appointment confirmation
- Original old passport
- Print out of e-passport application form with barcode or the application packet.
- Copy of passport data page
- Birth certificate or marriage certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). These documents must also be approved by the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
- Any additional documents
Additional Documents for Brown Passports or Passports Issued Before 01 May 1995
Brown passport holders or those with passports issued before May 1, 1995, need to prepare extra documents. This is necessary for renewing their Philippine passport:
- Copy of the first four and last pages of the passport
- Report of Birth issued by PSA if born in a foreign country
- Identification cards
- Any additional documents
Additional Documents for Green Passports or Passports Issued After 01 May 1995
Green Passport holders or those with passports issued after 01 May 1995 must have the following additional documents:
- Copy of first and last passport pages
- Two copies of the passport data page
- Identification cards
- Any additional documents
Additional Documents for Machine Readable Passports (MRP) Issued in 2007
Want to renew a Machine Readable Passport issued in 2007? Have the following documents in addition to the general documents:
- Copy of first and last passport pages
- Two copies of the passport data page
- Identification cards
- Any additional documents
Additional Documents for Minors (17 and Below)
For a minor’s Philippine passport renewal, the applicant’s appearance along with a parent is mandatory. Here are the additional documents required for minors:
- Copy of a valid passport of one of the parents
- PSA-issued Report of Birth if born abroad
- Marriage certificate of parents issued by the PSA
- Any additional documents
How to Renew a Philippine Passport in Dubai
An up-to-date Philippine passport is a legal requirement for travelling abroad, renewing a UAE work visa, and starting a business. While the Philippine passport renewal process may seem complex, it is straightforward. Follow these steps for a hassle-free application:
1. Secure an Appointment
The first step is to secure an online appointment for Philippine passport renewal. This can be done in one of the following two ways:
Via the Philippines Consulate in Dubai
Here is how to book an appointment for a Philippine passport renewal:
- Visit the Global Online Appointment System (GOAS) at the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs website.
- Click ‘Schedule an Appointment’.
- Choose from an ‘Individual’ or ‘Group’ appointment.
- Select Middle East/Africa, United Arab Emirates, and PCG Dubai.
- View the available appointment slots.
- Choose the date and time from the available slots.
- Complete the form by providing personal information.
- Review and submit the online application.
- Receive an email at the email address provided. Confirm your appointment within one hour.
- Get email confirmation.
- Download the ‘Application Packet’ attached to the email and print it.
Via the VFS ePassport Renewal Centre in Dubai
Want an urgent passport renewal and can’t wait till the appointment? Fill out the application form on the VFS ePassport Renewal Centre website and speed up the application process. Follow these steps for VFS Philippine passport renewal:
- Go to the Online Passport Application System (OPAS) on the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Philippine passport renewal website.
- Click on ‘Renewal’.
- Fill out the application form.
- Review and submit the online application.
- Download the ‘Application Packet’ from the browser and print it.
2. Visit the Consulate or VFS Global Office
Visit the Consulate General or VFS Renewal Centre in Dubai based on where you applied. It is best to arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment time. Next, follow these steps:
- Head to the service counter.
- Show your appointment confirmation and get a token.
- Once your number is called, head to the Passport Processing Cabin.
- Leave your original passport in the labelled box.
- Wait for your turn.
- Submit the documents and form.
- The Consular Officer will review the documents and approve the application.
- Upon approval, you can proceed to the Cashier.
3. Pay the Renewal Fees
Pay the Philippine passport renewal fees, depending on where you are applying. Please note that the Consulate General only accepts cash, while VFS accepts cash and card payments. Here are the passport renewal fees:
- Philippines Consulate General: AED 240
- VFS ePassport Renewal Centre:
- Application Fee: AED 240
- Service Fee: AED 91.75
4. Complete the Photograph and Biometrics Requirements
The last step in the Philippine passport renewal application is photograph capturing and biometrics screening. For this, applicants can head to the Encoding Section and complete the process as guided.
5. Track the Status of Your Passport
Easily track the status of your Philippine passport renewal through this process:
- Visit the Department of Foreign Affairs – Philippines Consulate General website.
- Under ‘Services,’ hover over ‘Passports’ and click ‘Available for Release.’
- Search your name in the list.
6. Collect Your Passport
If your name is on the Philippine passport renewal list, you can proceed with passport collection. Typically, the renewal process takes around 4 to 8 weeks. Follow these steps for passport collection:
- Visit the Consulate or VFS office.
- Get a token number from the Information Section.
- Wait for your turn.
- Head to the Releasing Section.
- Show your old passport and fee payment receipt.
- Collect your new passport.
Unable to collect your passport yourself? You can authorise an immediate family member to collect the passport. Make sure the representative has the following documents for passport collection:
- Authorisation letter
- Valid ID of the representative
- Applicant’s old passport
- Receipt
Consulate and Renewal Centre General Information
Here are the general details about both visa application centres:
Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines
Location
851 Beirut Street, Al Qusais 3, Dubai, UAE
Opening Hours
- Monday to Thursday: 07:30 am to 03:30 pm
- Friday: 07:30 am to 12:00 pm
Contact Information
+971-4-220-7100
VFS ePassport Renewal Centre (PaRC)
Location
WAFI Mall, 2nd Floor, Falcon Phase 2, Umm Hurair, Dubai, UAE
Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday: 08:00 am to 08:00 pm
Contact Information
info.philippinespptdxb@vfsglobal.com
FAQs
It is best practice to renew your Philippine passport at least nine to ten months before expiry. Renewing a passport in advance avoids inconveniences like travel delays.
There are two ways to renew your passport in Dubai:
-Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines
-VFS ePassport Renewal Centre
Renewing a Philippine passport in Dubai can take around four to eight weeks.
For urgent applications, contact the Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in Dubai.
If you are a Philippine citizen living in Abu Dhabi, you can renew your passport at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Follow the same steps as in Dubai: book an appointment online, prepare documents, visit the Embassy, submit documents, and pay fees.
That was all about a Philippine passport renewal in Dubai. Whether you are on a remote work visa, an employment visa, or a business visa, an up-to-date passport is mandatory. Follow our step-by-step process and renew your passport in time.
Similarly, Pakistani nationals can easily apply for a Pakistani passport renewal in the UAE. If you are an Indian national, follow this process to renew an Indian passport in Dubai.
Upon renewal, plan a trip to these visa-free countries for UAE residents. Enjoy a memorable family vacation!
