Philippine passport fee hike proposed as DFA seeks delay until 2028

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 19, 2026

Photo Courtesy: Vecteezy

The cost of getting a Philippine passport could increase, but the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is asking that the proposed hike be delayed until 2028.

During a Senate hearing on the DFA’s proposed 2027 budget, Senate Finance Committee Chair JV Ejercito said the APO Production Unit, which produces Philippine passports, is seeking to raise the passport fee from the current PHP950 to PHP1,500.

Ejercito said APO warned that without a price adjustment, it could be forced to stop operations, potentially affecting the country’s passport supply. He raised the possibility of government assistance to support passport production, although he noted that the government has limited fiscal space.

DFA Secretary Theresa Lazaro said the agency recognizes APO’s need to adjust its pricing after more than a decade without a passport fee increase. However, the DFA has asked the company to defer the hike because the government is preparing to launch the Next Generation Philippine Passport in 2028.

Under the proposed arrangement, the DFA wants the new passport generation to be introduced before another fee adjustment is made. The agency has also pointed to provisions of the Philippine Passport Act concerning the timing of subsequent fee increases.

The current DFA passport fees remain PHP950 for regular processing and PHP1,200 for expedited processing, according to the official passport website.

Ejercito also said APO had discussed a possible discount for overseas Filipino workers, which could bring a proposed PHP1,500 fee down to PHP1,200 for OFWs.

The issue comes as the government prepares to roll out the Next Generation Philippine Passport, which is expected to include enhanced security features and updated contactless chip technology.