GOVPH

CONSULAR SERVICES - Passport FAQs

Q. I just lost my Philippine passport. What do I need to do to get a replacement? 
You have to apply for a replacement passport. Filing of application will have to be done in person at the Embassy.

You have to submit the following requirements:

-Copy of lost passport/Birth Certificate;

-Affidavit of loss/Police report.

 Q. How much do I pay for passport renewal/extension?

 Renewal of a Philippine passport costs Rand 900/USD60 for an e-Passport.

Q. How much do I pay for a replacement of lost passport?

The total fee for the replacement of a lost ePassport is Rand2250.00/ USD 150. This already includes the fee for the notarization of an Affidavit of Loss (ZAR 375) which the applicant would need to execute at the Embassy.

Q. What is the validity period of a passport?

Ten (10) years.

Q. Can a married woman retain her single name?

Yes, if she continued using her single name even after her marriage.

If she had started using her married name and later decide to give it up, she should present proof of annulment or divorce or death of her husband.

Q. Can a divorced Filipino citizen remarry?

Yes.

 Q. What if I need to travel in the next few weeks or would need a valid passport to transact business and could not wait for the 6 week processing period for a new passport?

In emergency situations, the validity of the current passport may be extended by the Embassy or another solution adopted. Please discuss your concerns with the Embassy as soon as possible.

 Q. Why is the personal appearance of the applicant for ePassport required?

 The photograph and biometric data of the applicant is taken during the application process.

 Q. Is it allowed to use the father's surname if the child is illegitimate?

Yes, it is allowed if the father expressly recognizes the child through the record of birth appearing in the civil registrar, or whom an admission in a public document or provide handwritten instrument is made by the father.

 Q. What are the requirements for adopted children who want to apply for a Philippine passport?

 Apart from the requirements for passport application, an applicant has to present an NSO-authenticated amended birth certificate with annotation on adoption.

 Q. What are the requirements for a passport applicant who wants to have her change of status reflected in her new passport?

 Submit proof of her change of status: marriage certificate (if newly married), annulment/divorce paper (if marriage is dissolved), or death certificate of deceased spouse (if widowed).

 Q. What are the requirements for dual citizens who want to apply for a Philippine passport?

 Apart from the requirements for Passport Application, dual citizens must present their Oath of Allegiance to Retain Philippine Citizenship and submit a photocopy of the same with his/her application.

 CONSULAR SERVICES - VISA FAQs

Q. What documents do I need to apply for a visa?

 A. Tourist Visa:

             1. Duly accomplished visa application Form (FA Form No.2);

            2. Two (2) passport-size photographs taken during the last six (6) months;

            3. Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond authorized period of stay  

               in the Philippines;

            4. Copy of airline ticket/travel itinerary;

            5. Hotel accommodation or any invitation from the Philippines;  

            6. Must not be in the DFA Blacklist.

 B. Student Visa:

            1. All requirements for a Tourist Visa;

            2. Notice of Admission from Philippine school;

            3. Certification from the school;

            4. (For Medicine students) Certificate of eligibility for admission

to the Medical Course;

            5. Personal History Statement;

            6. Authenticated South African police clearance certificate;

            7. Authenticated academic transcript;

            8. Authenticated provisional certificate;

            9. Authenticated medical certificate;

   10. Photocopy of passport.

 C. Business Visa:

            1. Duly accomplished visa application Form (FA Form No.2);

            2. Two (2) passport-size photographs taken during the last six (6) months;

            3. Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond authorized period of stay  

               in the Philippines;

            4. Copy of airline ticket/travel itinerary;

            5. Letter or a written statement from the sponsoring company stating the

    purpose of travel, Length of stay, and the company/ies to be visited in the 

    Philippines

   6. Must not be in the DFA Blacklist.

 D. Spouse of Filipino Citizen:

            1. Complete Visa Application;

            2. Two (2) passport-size colour photos with plain background;

            3. Original valid passport;

            4. Official Birth or Baptismal Certificate;

            5. Police Clearance;

            6. Medical Examination Report (FA Form No. 11);

            7. X-Ray

            8. Proof of Financial Status;

            9. Secondary evidence of applicant's citizenship, identity and admissibility

into the Philippines;

            10. Copy of passport of Filipino spouse;

            11. Copy of marriage contract;

            12. Proof of applicant's citizenship at the time of marriage.

Payment of 13(A) Visa Fee (cash or postal money order): US$ 150 or R 2,250.00

 E. Seaman's Visa:

             1. Duly accomplished visa application Form (FA Form No.2);

            2. Two (2) passport-size photographs taken during the last six (6) months;

            3. Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond authorized period of stay  

               in the Philippines/seaman's book;

            4. Letter from Shipping Company;

            5. Application may be made in person/by mail or by agent;

            6. Must not be in the DFA Blacklist.

            7. 300Rand/20USD

 F. Diplomatic Visa:

            1. Duly accomplished visa application Form (FA Form No.2);

            2. Two (2) passport-size photographs taken during the last six (6) months;

            3. Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond authorized period of stay  

               in the Philippines;

            4. Copy of airline ticket/travel itinerary;

            5. Note Verbale from DIRCO

Students are requested to submit the requirements for a student visa but are issued only a tourist visa because their schools will coordinate with the Bureau of Immigration once the student arrives in the Philippines.

 Payment of Visa Fee (cash or postal money order):

 Single Entry (3 months) - US$ 30 or R 450

1. Multiple Entry (6 mos.)   - US$ 60 or R 900
2. Multiple Entry (1 year)    - US$ 90 or R 1,350.

Processing takes three (3) business days. If necessary, arrangements for courier service must be made by the applicant at his/her expense.

 Q. How long can a visa holder stay in the Philippines?

 Tourist visa - normally 59 days but applicant may request extension with the Bureau of Immigration  (www.immigration.gov.ph) in Manila

 Q. I am a South African citizen. Do I need a visa to travel to the Philippines?

 South Africans are included in the 21-day no visa policy. However, the Embassy encourages South Africans to secure a visa to avoid any hassle should their stay in RP be extended.

 South African passport holders should have a passport valid for at least six months beyond their intended stay in the Philippines and a plane or ship ticket valid for onward or return journey to their country of origin or next country of destination.

Q. I have multiple- entry visa valid for six (6) months. Can I stay continuously in the Philippines for six (6) months?

 There is a difference between the type of entry and the validity of the visa. Validity refers to the length of time that the visa holder may stay continuously in the Philippines.  A three-month validity means that a person may enter the Philippines within the three (3) months from the date of issuance of visa to the date of its expiry.

 A multiple visa refers to the number of times that a visa holder may enter the Philippines. If a traveller is in possession of a six-month multiple visa, this means that he may enter the Philippines any number of times provided it is within the six-month period specified in the visa.

 The Balikbayan Privilege

 South African nationals married to Filipino/former Filipino nationals may avail themselves of the balikbayan privilege if they travel to the Philippines with their Filipino/former Filipino spouses.

 Q. What is a balikbayan privilege?

 A balikbayan privilege entitles its holder to stay in the Philippines for a maximum of one year without visa. Spouses and unmarried children below 18 years of age of Filipino/former Filipino nationals may avail themselves of this privilege if they travel to the Philippines with their Filipino/former Filipino spouses or parent/s.

 Q. I am a foreign national and I intend to marry a Filipino national in the Philippines. What should I do?  

A South African national intending to marry a Filipino national in the Philippines has to secure a birth certificate and a Certificate of No Impediment to Marry (CENOMAR) from his local registry office. He then has to present these documents to his Embassy/Consulate in the Philippines for him to be issued a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry. The said certificate is needed for his application for a marriage license at the registry office of the locality/church where the marriage is to take place.

 Q. We are both foreign nationals and we intend to get married in the Philippines. What requirements do we need?

 Foreign nationals intending to get married in the Philippines should contact their respective embassies in the Philippines for other requirements.

 The South African Embassy in Manila has a list of requirements for South African nationals intending to get married in the Philippines.

 Q. I am a foreign national and I intend to retire in the Philippines. What visa should I apply for?

 Foreign nationals who wish to retire in the Philippines may apply for a retiree visa. For information on the requirements and procedure, please visit the website of the Philippine Retirement Authority at  www.pra.gov.ph.

 Q. I am a foreign national. My child is travelling to the Philippines with a friend. What requirements does my child need to travel to the Philippines?

 South African minor children (15 years and below) do not need a visa to travel to the Philippines if their intended stay will not exceed 21 days. Beyond 21 days, they need to apply for visa before they travel.

 For foreign minors (15 years and below) travelling to the Philippines unaccompanied by either of their parents or legal guardian, please secure a waiver of exclusion grounds (WEG) certificate from the Embassy. The WEG will be required by the immigration officers in Manila for unaccompanied minors.

Q. I am a former Filipino citizen. Do I need a visa to travel to the Philippines?

No. As a former Filipino citizen, you may avail yourself of the balikbayan privilege

CONSULAR SERVICES - General FAQs

Q. What do I need to execute a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) to authorize someone in the Philippines to act on my behalf (like collect my pension or buy land/property in my name)?

 You should submit in person a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) together with a photocopy of the data page of your passport and a fee of R 225.00. Also bring a valid passport to enable us to verify your identity.

 If you cannot personally appear before a consular officer, you have to get the SPA notarized by a notary public or any commissioner of oath, and then have the signature of the notary public authenticated by the Department of International Relation and Cooperation before sending it to the Philippine Embassy for authentication.

 Q. What documents do I need to invite a friend from the Philippines to the South Africa?

 The petitioner should inquire from the South African Embassy in Manila or the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa about the requirements for a South Africa visitor's visa.

 Q. I am a Filipino citizen but am about to acquire South African citizenship. Do I still need to report the birth of my child at the Philippine Embassy?

 Yes, you should if you wish to have your children's birth registered with the NSO and thereby have a permanent repository of the proof of Filipino citizenship of your child. Report of birth is also a requirement for your child to get a Philippine passport.

 Q. I am a Filipino citizen who got married in South Africa to a South African national. Do I still need to report my marriage to the Philippine Embassy?

 Yes, so that the marriage would be registered at NSO and recognized in the Philippines. We shall also require this report if you apply to amend your name in your passport to reflect your married name.

 Q. How much is the fee for late registration of birth? marriage?

 The fee for late registration of birth and/or marriage is Rand 375.00/USD 25

 Q. How long does it take for the Report/s of Birth and Marriage to be registered with the NSO?

 It usually take about three to six months. Upon receipt of the Report of Birth/Marriage, the Philippine Embassy shall forward it to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila for onward transmittal to NSO. You shall keep your copy of the Report of Birth/Marriage.

 Q. Can I register the birth of a child of Filipino-South African parents at the Philippine Embassy?

 Yes. The birth of a child/children of Filipino-South African (or any foreign national) parentage can be registered with the Philippine Embassy if one of the parents was still a Filipino citizen at the time of birth of the child/children.

 Q. Is it possible to register a marriage of a Filipino national at the Philippine Embassy in Pretoria even if the said marriage took place outside the area of jurisdiction of the Philippine Embassy in Pretoria?

 No. It should be registered in the Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction over the place of marriage.

 CONSULAR SERVICES - Authentication of Documents

 Q.   I have a document that will be used in the Philippines. I was told that the Embassy has to authenticate the document first. What steps should I follow? 

• You have to send your documents to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) first before sending the document to the Embassy. An Assistant Director in DIRCO will authenticate the signature of the official who issued the document. Afterwards, you can send the authenticated document to the Embassy. 

• 1. Notarization - Notary Public
• 2. Legalization - DIRCO
• 3. Authentication - Philippine Embassy

 Q. How much does it cost?

 The Embassy charges USD 25 or Rands 375 for a set of document.

 Q. How long does it take for the Embassy to authenticate a document?

 Three working days. However, the process can be shortened. For an additional amount of USD 10 or Rands 150, the Embassy can issue the authenticated document within the day.

 Q. How can I pay for the authentication fee?

 A. The Embassy accepts the following modes of payment:

• Cash
• Postal Money Order payable to the Philippine Embassy
• Bank draft payable to the order of the Philippine Embassy

 Q. I have a document issued in the Philippines that I need to be legalized or authenticated by the Embassy. The DIRCO is not accepting the document because it was issued in the Philippines. What do I do?

 You can send the documents to the Embassy and we can do either of the following:

•  Acknowledge that you personally submitted the document to the Embassy; or
• Certify that you sent the document to the Embassy. 

Q. I need a Special Power of Attorney/Affidavit that I am going to use in the Philippines. How do I get one from the Embassy?

 You have to be personally present at the Embassy in order to obtain an SPA/Affidavit because you will sign the SPA/Affidavit in front of the Vice Consul.

Q. What are the requirements?

 You will be required to produce your original passport and be personally present and sign the SPA/Affidavit.

 Q. How much does it cost?

 USD 25 or Rands 375 for the jurat and USD 25 or Rands 375 for the Acknowledgment.