Earlier this week, we wrote about getting the new, maroon-colored machine readable passports (MRP) because the old green passports will soon become unusable.
There are a lot of rumors going on about the validity date of the current green passports (including the email currently circulating saying by January 2010, they cannot anymore be used) but unfortunately, we have not heard any official word yet from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
I asked my friend working at the DFA to confirm, once and for all, what the actual rule is. I also called the DFA office in Manila and this is what we found out:
The current green passports can indeed be used until their validity dates but the risk is that by 2010, some countries have the prerogative not to accept the green passport as a valid travel document.
Take note that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) require all member states to issue machine readable passports no later than April 2010. This means that after April 2010, other countries can decide not to accept into their borders any foreigner who holds a passport that is not machine readable.
The DFA representative I talked to advised all Filipino passport holders to always inquire with the embassy or immigration office of the country they plan to go to about the validity of their non-machine-readable passports. The DFA cannot ensure that all countries will accept Filipino green passports after 2010. Some of them might but they also have the prerogative not to, according to the DFA.
For all travels within the Philippines, however, green passports can still be used even in 2011, 2012 or until the passport’s validity period.
Hope this clears up the issue.
Update (January 2014): Green, Maroon MRP Philippine passports valid only until 2015
Philippine green passport validity and expiration date
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I’m still using a green passport and its still valid until 2012, I just hope Singapore government ( I’m working here by the way) still accept a green passport even beyond april 2010.
Thanks for the info.
Thank you for this posts. I am planning to go on a vacation with my family this December. I need to make sure that I can use the passport for both going and coming back! Thank you for the tip.
My green passport has a US visa valid till 2012 (both passport and visa). Anyone has any advice on what I should do in case I want to travel to the US after 2010?
Just renew your passports before 2010 if you don’t want to encounter any inconveniences in other countries, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
@Sansan, contact the embassy or immigration office of the country you will go to then ask them if they will still accept non-machine-readable passports after April 2010. Remember that although the Philippine government said green passports are valid beyond 2010, countries always have the prerogative to decline entry to someone who might not show the required documentation, in this case, a machine-readable passport.
@Scion, looks like the Inquirer has picked up the story. Well, it basically repeated what we had already said in the article. So Pinoys, don’t believe that email currently circulating saying that by January 2010, those green passports cannot anymore be used. They are indeed valid until the expiration date but be wary as well, because as mentioned above, the immigration of some countries may choose to deny you entry just because you’re holding a non-machine-readable passport.
I’d rather get the new one than facing the hassle of not being accepted just because of that.
@DesignerBlooms, that’s true. I think some people are just concerned that they have to pay again considering their green passport is still valid. But if you weigh the consequences of not having a machine-readable passport after 2010, the costs are actually greater because it’s really troublesome if the immigration of a country will deny you entry.
hi guys, i just want to ask if how many years is the validity of the new machine readable philippine passport once it is issued to you. thanks for the info guys. have a nice day.
It’s just a scam to get more money. Sure countries have choose whether to accept them or not, but no country is going to refuse them. The only countries that would care require visas for Filipinos anyways and guess what? The visas themselves are machine readable and have been for awhile.
Just for a point of reference, even the US will be accepting non machine readable passport, provided the holder has a visa.
oh. u have to wait 7 days to get the new passport if expedited.
14 days for the normal process. 1 month if you are requesting it from an embassy.
what a joke.
in malaysia, the malaysians can get the new passport in one hour!
yeah, visa is machine readable!
As written in DFA’s website announcement, all Green passports will be accepted until its expiration date.
“For all travels within the Philippines, however, green passports can still be used even in 2011, 2012 or until the passport’s validity period.”
– Do domestic airports require passengers to go through immigration?
Passports are not required, but a valid ID is. The passport can be used as that valid ID.
hi!naguguluhan din ako kung ano talaga ang totoo about the old green passport.and2 ako s israel at plan ko magbakasyon s june s pinas.ang hawak kong passport ay un luma prin,green passport at ang expiration date ay 2012.nagpost sila s embassy d2 n need magrenew til april dhil nga dn dw pwede un luma.mrmi ang nagrenew pero ako plan ko next year nlng.tumwag ako s embassy sbi nman nila n ok p dw etong luma.bkit kung ok p ang green n passport bat sila magpopost n need n magrenew.i ask them about that,sbi nila hindi raw ang nag post non.its confusing!ayaw kong magkaproblema s paguwi ko,can you give me assurance kung talgang OK p ang green passport ko..waiting for your reply..thank you so much
thank you for the very important information about the validaty of phillippine green passport.
help! we will go to hongkong on 7/31/10 and my husband will still use his valid green passport expiring on 2012… pls clarify if he wont have any problem…
questionz:
problem with my passport… need help..
my complete name is nilo cruz alegrias II
my plane ticket : nilo cruz alegrias II
my passport : nilo cruz alegrias..
going to singapore later… any suggestions? tnx..
questionz:
problem with my passport… need help..
my complete name is nilo cruz alegrias II
my plane ticket : nilo cruz alegrias II
my passport : nilo cruz alegrias..
going to singapore later… any suggestions? tnx.. =)
Hi Pinoy,
If you still have time, go to DFA and have your passport amended.
If you need to travel soon, have your ticket amended to follow your name on passport.
Singapore is very strict.
Mega
Hi i have to fly to the US for a convention this mid november however my passport expires on March 21, 2011. Im still good to go right as long as i come back before my passport expires. The 6 month rule doesnt really apply right?
Hi JP,
The Immigration here will not let you go if your passport
will expire in less than 6 months.
MEGA
HI i am planning to leave on december 27,2010 till december 31,2010 to hong kong, my passport will expire on feb 7,2011 , will i still be allowed to travel? is my passport still valid?
thank you!
hello, i would like to know if my green passport still valid to travel a month before my passport expired , from providenciales to manila
no. 6 months before your expiry your not allowed to use it.
i mean after 6 months
i have my multiple entry u.s visa untill 2018 but my philippine passport will expires on 2012.
can i still use my u.s visa even i renew my pass passport?
hi im a DH in kuwait and i lost my passport and its already expired,i would like to ask how could i apply and what requirements? i am extremly bad to have another passport again cause i need to travel again.how long and what they?
apply for a new one compile all the requirements required
Do you know if Canada still accepting the green passport?
im agreen card holder been in us for almost 11yrs went back to philippines,last 2002(expired) used my green passport and now i re married do i have to do report of marriage before i can get a new philippines passport …pls help
Hey, what is the last date of issue of the Green passports?
Thx,
Laca
do you no if guam accepting green passport
WOULD HELP IF THEY CAN SPECIFY COUNTRIES WHO REFUSE GREEN PASSPORT
im a filipino citizin, but live in london for 5 years i still have my green passport but the stamp on it is permanent residence… im going holiday soon july 12 2012, but my green passport are nearly expire . this coming october 2012 expiration date.. i have air ticket already so i can’t cancel anymore as i need to attend my brothers wedding third week of july,… still confused if they allowe me to fly back to our own country and renew passport there before going back to england.. any help and advice..
thank you!
ohhh .. by the way, i been called to philippine embassy in london, about my problem… its really disappointed , one of filipino woman who answer the phone.. she said to me, DONT CALL ME HERE AGAIN , I HAVE LOTS OF WORK TO DO.. how come she sat there in office of philippine embassy london, not welling to help KABABAYAN.. here is the number philippine embassy london. 02074511805…someone knew her kindly please give advice to her be good to kababayan.
whoever you are its your job to answer all the questions of all kababayan need help.. whast the point having phone in the office.
you did that before to my friends same attitude.. always say later latter.. its filipino style always say later until nothing happen..
lots of filipino in london not happy this lady in philippine embassy lodon..
sana ma……. tauhan ka…
So attractive! I love the earthy & classic tones of your wedding! I’m so stealing the succulent idea. Attractive bride, handsome hubby & bridal party. Wonderful footage as constantly Tammy!