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Tamper-proof e-passports now mandatory – Consulate

By David Casuco/BNS

CONSUL General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon said Wednesday night that from now on the Philippine Consulate General will issue machine readable passports (MRP) or e-passports only, in compliance with the standards set for countries that are members of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

As member of ICAO, the Philippines and other member countries around the world are required to issue MRPs not later than April 1, 2010. The MRP system is one of ICAO's instruments to air travel safety. Also, it will facilitate the entry of travelers at port of entries since the immigration officer only has to swipe the passport and the data of the incoming passenger are immediately reflected in the machine, setting aside the old manual encoding.

"It (MRP) has better security features as well. It is tamper-proof, unlike the old passports that could easily be compromised," she said.

Congen Aragon added that since applications are sent to Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila "it may take three to four weeks" for an e-passport to be released to the applicants, from the time the application is accepted." She added that personal appearance is required for data verification and biometrics.

Meanwhile, the Consulate General in Los Angeles, which encompasses Southern California, Southern Nevada, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, tirelessly pursues its outreach programs to better serve the Filipino nationals and OFWs in this part of the United States.

Frequently asked questions about MRP (from the Philcongenla websiste):

1.  What is a Machine-Readable Passport (MRP)?

A Machine-Readable Passport (MRP) is a passport where the personal details of the bearer is printed in such a way that it can be read by the naked eye and at the same time, it contains a "machine readable zone" containing the personal data of the passport holder that can be read by a machine or computer.

2.  Why did the Philippines shift to the MRP?

We shifted to MRP to comply with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which requires all countries to issue only Machine-Readable Passports not later than 01 April 2010.

3.  What are the benefits of the MRP?

The MRP complies with international standards.  It provides basic safety and security of the Philippine passport by minimizing, if not eradicating, instances of tampering of the personal details of the passport holder (photo/data-substitution). As such, the MRP also acts as a deterrent to international crime and terrorism.

4.   What are the features of the Philippine MRP and how does it differ from the current Philippine passport?

The Philippine MRP has the following features:
·   it has a maroon cover (the current Philippine passport has a green cover);
·   it has 44 pages (the green passport has either 32 pages or 64 pages);
·   the text in the data page is electronically printed (the data in the green passport is manually scripted); and
· the photo is printed on the data page (in the green passport, the photo is pasted on the data page).

The new Philippine MRP also has other security features that render it tamper-proof and immune from any means of photo or data substitution. Each individual visa page has a holographic image that can be viewed through ultraviolet light.

5.   How long is the validity of the MRP?

Like the green passport, the new MRP has a validity period of (5) five years.

6.  What is the fee for the MRP?

The Philippine MRP will still cost HK$425 only.

7.  What are the requirements to apply for the MRP?

The requirements to apply for the MRP – whether it is a new application, a renewal or a replacement for a lost passport – remain the same except for the following:

- Photos: submit three (3) passport-size (4.5×3.5cm) photos with royal blue (instead of the customary white background) matte background.  Please see attached sheet for the specific requirements for the photos; and

-Personal appearance of the applicant.

8.  What are the steps to apply for the MRP?

There are four (4) steps to apply for the MRP:

Step 1: Processing. Go to the Processing Window at Window 10.  Submit the following: hotocopy of the data page of the passport and the page where the visa is stamped;
· photos with royal blue background (please see attached specifications);
· original and photocopy of the applicant's Hong Kong ID;
· other supporting documents.

If the Processor finds everything in order, he will issue you a receipt for payment.

Step 2: Payment. Go the Cashier and pay HK$425.00.  The Cashier will give you your copy of the receipt.

Step 3: Encoding.  Go the Encoding waiting area and wait for your name to be called.  When your name is called, enter the Encoding Area where an Encoder will input your personal data into a computer.  The Encoder will ask you to make sure that all entries are true and correct.  When you have checked that all entries are correct, the Encoder will print out the form containing your personal data.  The Encoder will ask you again to check that all entries are correct, after which you will be asked to sign the application form.

Important reminder: Make sure that all entries in the form are correct before you sign.  If there are mistakes in the entries because you did not check them carefully, you may have to pay again so that a new passport can be issued with the corrected entries.

After signing, the Encoder will assist you in affixing your photos and fingerprints on the application form.  He will return to you your old passport, with instructions to present the old passport upon release of the MRP.  Your old passport will not be cancelled until your new MRP is released to you.  However, your new MRP will not be released to you unless you present your old passport for proper cancellation.
Step 4: Releasing and cancelling of old passport.  On the release date, go to the Releasing Window (Window #) and present your old passport and receipt.  The Releasing Officer will cancel your old passport then release to you your new Philippine Machine-Readable Passport.

Important reminder: you will not be given your new Philippine Machine-Readable Passport unless you present your old Philippine passport for proper cancellation.

9.  What is the processing time for the MRP?

Your new Philippine MRP will be released to you 20 working days after receipt of your application.

The 20-day working days processing time is due to the fact that all Philippine MRPs are printed and produced at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila.  All MRP applications received by the Philippine Consulate General will have to be sent to Manila, where the MRPs will be produced, after which the Department of Foreign Affairs will send the finished products back to the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong.

The Philippine Consulate General can therefore no longer accommodate requests for early release of passports.  For this reason, applicants who wish to renew their passports or obtain a new passport after 19 November are advised to submit their applications at least one month before their scheduled travel or before the expiration of their Hong Kong work visas to avoid inconvenience.

10.  What if I have an immediate need for a Philippine passport and cannot wait for the 20-working day processing period?

Under the MRP processing system, the Consulate General can no longer accommodate requests to expedite the processing of passports.  The Consulate advises all Filipinos to check the validity of their passports and to renew them as early as possible to prevent any future problems.  For emergency situations where an applicant cannot wait for the 20-working-day processing period, the Consulate General will issue a green passport or a travel document on a case-by-case basis upon careful evaluation.

11.     Will my current green passport still be valid if I choose not to apply for an MRP just yet?

All green passports issued by the Consulate, the DFA, the DFA Regional Consular Offices or other Philippine Foreign Service Posts will remain valid until their stated expiry date.  There is no need to renew apply for an MRP if your green passport is still valid.  Your green passport will still be honored by the immigration authorities of the various governments.

 

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