Monday, December 03, 2007 Passports to be machine-readable
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) would temporarily limit passport applications following the implementation of the machine readable passport starting December 3.
DFA Regional Consular Office I Director Eleanor Belgica said the foreign affairs department will only accept 120 passport applications per day regardless of whether the application is first time or for renewal. This is due to the step-by-step transition being undertaken by the department to modernize and improve the country’s passporting system.
Belgica said this would be the quota in the meantime to give time for their office to orient and familiarize its personnel. However, this would eventually be increased as they get accustomed with the system.
There are new photo requirements for machine readable passports: recent photo taken within the last six months with a size of 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm, royal blue background, full frontal pose, image of the applicant should occupy approximately 70-80 percent of the photograph, printed on good quality photo paper preferably matte, and applicant should use collared shirt.
Belgica said further announcements would be made for any updates on the machine readable passport.
