DFA suspends passport services in Luzon

In a public advisory, the DFA said the suspension of its operation will include its Office of Consular Affairs in Aseana, Parañaque City. (File Photo: Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – All Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) consular offices in Luzon are temporarily closed beginning Tuesday until further notice in line with the enhanced community quarantine imposed in the region.

In a public advisory, the DFA said the suspension of its operation will include its Office of Consular Affairs in Aseana, Parañaque City.

“Passport applicants with confirmed appointments do not need to re-schedule as they will be accommodated once operations resume. Likewise, those seeking authentication and civil registration services are also advised to avail of these services after the same period,” the advisory read.

On the other hand, all consular offices in the Visayas and Mindanao will provide services only to individuals with urgent consular needs, such as overseas Filipino workers and those with medical emergencies, beginning March 17.

“This temporary arrangement is in support of the declarations of various local community quarantines and the current nationwide public health efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19,” the agency said.

Meanwhile, there will be no Saturday operations in the Visayas and Mindanao also until further notice.

Passport applicants with confirmed appointments from March 9 to April 8, including those with confirmed appointments on Saturdays who will be unable to proceed with their appointment as scheduled will be accommodated from April 13 until May 29, during regular office hours, except on Saturdays.

Likewise, those seeking authentication and civil registration services are also advised to avail of these services during the same period.

Applicants with questions or emergencies are advised to get in touch with the Consular Office where their appointment was scheduled or send an email via oca.concerns@dfa.gov.ph or call 8651-9400 for inquiries.

US visa appointments postponed

In response to the Covid-19 measures implemented by the government, the United States Embassy in Manila has also suspended its routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments and notarial services beginning Monday.

“All applicants should monitor their email address on record for visa appointment updates. We will resume routine services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time,” the Embassy said in a statement.

But it reminded that the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee is valid and may be used for a visa application in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment.

“There is no fee to change an appointment and visa application fees are valid for one year in the country where the fee was paid,” it said.

For urgent cases, applicants are advised to contact the immigrant or nonimmigrant visa unit by visiting its visa website at ph.usembassy.gov/visas.