APRIL 8, 2026 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that passport applications filed beginning the last week of March 2026 may encounter delays in release, due to logistical and supply chain issues caused by the Middle East crisis.
The Department stated that processing a new passport may take 10 to 15 working days from the date of application until it gets released. This is longer than the usual processing time for Philippine passports.
DFA Issues Advisory on Delay in Release of New Passports
On February 28, Israel and the United States mounted a joint military operation against Iran — an act that triggered retaliatory strikes from Tehran and affected several states in the region. Since then, the conflict has also caused disruptions to major trade routes and supply chains.
On Wednesday, April 8, Iran and the US agreed to a two-week ceasefire, and negotiations leading to a peace agreement are expected to begin in Pakistan on Friday, April 10.
Still, the situation remains tense as strikes continue to be reported across the region despite the ceasefire. Logistics and global supply chains are also affected, leading to possible delays in new passport applications. The DFA made the announcement through this advisory on its official website.
The Department assured the public that it is working closely with a third-party service provider for the printing of ePassports, to resolve current delays and to make sure that operations get back to normal as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, applicants who need emergency or urgent consular serviecs may contact DFA Aseana through the following email addresses:
- Passport Concerns – passportconcerns@dfa.gov.ph
- Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) Concerns – oca.concerns@dfa.gov.ph
During working days, applicants can also call the following telephone numbers:
- Passport Appointment Concerns – (02) 8234 3488
- Passport, Authentication, and other Consular Concerns – (02) 8651 9400
For applicants outside the National Capital Region (NCR), visit this link for the contact details of other DFA Consular Offices across the Philippines.
For more details about the DFA’s latest announcement on passport delays, watch this news report by DZMM Teleradyo:
As of this writing, the DFA has not stated when normal operations will resume. Nonetheless, the Department confirms that efforts are being made to address passport concerns at the soonest possible time. It also encouraged applicants to plan their travel schedules accordingly, and to provide extra time for passport processing until the issue gets resolved.
Whether one is getting a new passport or renewing an old one, delays on its release are to be expected because of the Middle East conflict. That being said, applicants are still required to book an appointment before going to the DFA. Check out this article for a step-by-step guide on booking an appointment with the DFA online.