DFA makes passport processing ‘interactive’ for applicants

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Passport applicants will now immediately know the mistakes or discrepancies in their application through the new passport appointment system being implemented by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Through the DFA’s new feedback mechanism, the passport applicant is being notified through email on the status of his or her application, whether there were discrepancies in the application even right before he or she goes back to the DFA office to pick up the passport.

This new mechanism eliminates the hassle for applicants, who, for some, return several times before just to submit additional requirement in case the DFA finds discrepancies in the application submitted to the passport processing division.

Under the new feedback mechanism, the applicant is immediately informed on what other requirements needed to process the application through email.

The redesigned passport application website allows the user to know the discrepancies in their application, DFA Office of Consular Affairs Executive Director Angelica Escalona said in a statement.

“Before, when you applied for a passport you were told to pick it up on a scheduled date. If for some reason there was a problem with your application, like discrepancies in the information or documents that you submitted, you wouldn’t know until that day when you are supposed to pick up the passport. There was no feedback mechanism,” explained.

Under the new feedback mechanism, Escalona said, the applicant would be sent an e-mail that would give him or her relevant feedback. The email would be sent within the 48-hour window the application is evaluated.

“This way, the applicant will know how to go about things,” she noted.

The redesigned passport appointment system also allows the applicants to see, at first glance, which dates have available slots.

It also prompts users that senior citizens, person with disabilities, pregnant women, solo parents, children seven years old and below, and overseas Filipino workers need not to secure appointment, and can just use the courtesy lane when renewing or applying for passports. /jpv

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