DFA: Old passports phased out by 2015

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Friday that all non-machine readable passports will be phased out by November 24, 2015 and may no longer be extended beyond October 31, 2015.

In a statement, the DFA said that Filipinos holding machine readable passports, or those with green or maroon covers, meanwhile will no longer be allowed to apply for validity extension beyond October 31, 2014.

"They must instead apply for a new e-Passport (dark maroon) as soon as possible before the expiry of their current MRRP (green) or MRP (maroon) passports," the statement said.

"Those who fail to do so will likely encounter difficulty at immigration checks when traveling through any ports of entry around the world after October 2015," it added.

 DFA said the new regulation follows International Civil Aviation Organization standards.

The agency also reminded holders that extending validity of passport extension can only be applied for medical emergencies requiring overseas Filipinos to travel back home, death in the family, those returning to their employers abroad and those in the Middle East who are returning home on final exit visas.

"In these instances, proof of urgency such as a copy of the death certificate, medical certificate, valid employment contracts processed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration or any of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, along with plane tickets with confirmed flight details should be presented," the DFA said.