Getting a Philippine Electronic Passport

Yehey! I am able to change my Machine Readable Passport into the Electronic Passport (E-Passport). If you are not familiar and don't know what kind of passport you are holding, here is a photo:

So, you ask, what's all the fuss? Apart from me wanting to change my passport picture, I also don't want the hassle of having the Immigration Officer of a foreign country type out my name each and every time.  My husband or whoever my travel companions would always breeze through Immigration and wait for me all because they have e-Passports and I have an MRP.

Renewing one's passport has indeed become more accessible these days.  For one, you can easily pick  the place, day and time for an appointment via on-line through the Department of Foreign Affair's website. 

You simply just fill up the appointment application form, print it out and show up on the day of your appointment.  Just a word of advice, don't forget to bring original and photocopies of your requirements (old passport) on the day of your appointment.

By the way, I chose an afternoon schedule.  I did not want to wake up early and I was told that the queue in the mornings are longer.

While scheduling the appointment was a breeze, the actual lining up was not.  As usual, there was a long queue at the DFA branch that I went to.  Be sure to arm yourself with a book, a tablet or a smartphone to while away the time.  Or if you are people friendly, I am sure that your seat mate will become your new best friend.

There were actually just two sections to line up in.  The first section verifies your application and credentials. And then you are asked to go to the Cashier to pay for the renewal fee (No line here). And the second section types up your details (which are the details that would appear in your passport) and takes your picture.  The lady in the second section was kind enough to allow me to brush my hair and fix my make-up.  Just want to remind you that you are not allowed to wear earrings or necklaces when they take your passport picture so make sure that you do not wear something really expensive because you might misplace your jewelry once they ask you to take them off.

By the way, if you are pregnant, an elderly, or with an infant, you totally skip the lines and get into a priority lane. 

After those two sections, you either request that the passport be delivered via courier service (for an additional fee) or be picked up in the same branch.

The regular processing takes about 15 working days and costs Php950.00.  But if you are in a rush and need your passport in 7 working days, it will cost you Php1,200.00.

NBI On-Line Application

I needed an NBI Clearance.

I have heard so many horror stories about people lining up as early as 4 am just so they can be included in the "quota" of the people who can get their clearance for the day. I have also heard about people having similar and/or identical names with people who are either "wanted" or with some criminal record of some sort and hence, had to wait for a week before their clearances are issued.

I have no such fear! 

Late last year, around September 2012, I also needed to procure an NBI Clearance. Instead of lining up, I tried to apply for my NBI clearance on-line. At that time, only the main office of the NBI (located in Taft Ave., Manila) can process on-line application.

But the good news now is that several off-site NBI kiosk (specifically those located in the malls) can also process the NBI application done on-line.

The steps are quite simple. Simply visit the NBI website, which provides the instructions for on-line application. You just follow the instructions.

First, pay via GCASH! I tried to pay via Cebuana Llulliher's Pera Padala but the person there did not know that you can send money to NBI. Booo!!! But I have to give my hats off to the GLOBE CENTER (Megamall Branch) for knowing and making the process of paying for the NBI Application quite easy.

Second, with the reference code printed in the receipt, type that into the validation area seen in the NBI website.  As soon as the code was validated, I received an email confirming my payment and clearance details. The email with the QR code is very important as this is what you will bring to the NBI on the date of your appointment.

I then sent a text message to the number provided by the NBI to set up my appointment at the NBI off-site nearest my location. In seconds, I received a text message confirming the date and time of my appointment. How easy is that?

And just like that, you show up on the day of the appointment, give them your printed QR code, have your biometrics done and then wait for your clearance to be released.

Easy peasy!

So, I say, NO to LOOONG LINES! And YES to TECHNOLOGY! :-)