by: Mizpah Mijares
Going abroad for study, work, and vacation could be exciting, fun, interesting and fulfilling. And whenever there's fun, there's the pain.
Traveling, everyone loves it, but the hell of experience starts as early as when you are trying to accomplish all the required documents just before your thoughts lead you to nowhere.
Few 'kababayans' might have learned it the hard way. The key to ensuring a smooth and easy processing of all these papers, is Strategy.
This article is intended to all readers, most particularly, the students whose young minds filled with whatever reason, might have already been starting to imagine themselves working outside the Philippines, going on tour, or pursuing a degree overseas.
As a simple guideline, here's what you can do, with guaranteed effectiveness to smoothly complete the target -- obtaining a Passport.
But ooopppss, just a friendly advice, keep your pen handy in every step of your passport - adventure. Thank you.
Now here we go:
Step 1: Authenticate your birth certificate as early as possible, and we mean, NOW. This is the root of all paperworks you soon will need as you go through each agencies. If you have the special school holiday, be practical of getting this thing done and your effort won't be wasted when the time is ripe.
What to bring: Yourself, and your pen
Processing Fee: 115 Php
Beware: Fixers, they are people who would convince to queue up for you in exchange for money. The rate of these fixers varies from each individual and if you are not so lucky, you could be paying the man higher than the actual processing fee. You can avoid this by practicing the virtue of patience. Surely, the long queue could be a little distressing, but so long as it's moving, 1 hour wouldn't be too long to keep just like what others are doing.
Step 2: Obtain NBI Clearance
What to Bring: recent Cedula
Processing Fee : 115 Php
Beware : Fixers (yeah they are everywhere).
Step 3: Head to any studio for a passport photo
What to bring: Yourself
Processing Fee : 150 Php to 200 Php
Beware : Wearing a heavy make - up for a passport photo is a big NO-NO. Most studios could provide you templates of suits and blouses that you could choose during editing, so there's no need to worry about the clothes you need to put on during the photo-shoot. For ladies, keep your bling blings hanging on your ears inside your pocket for just a little while because earrings are not allowed to be captured with your face, either. All you need to do is wear that gorgeous smile.
For a more detailed DFA photo requirements, you may visit their site at www.dfa.gov.ph
Step 4: Proceed to DFA for passport application.
What to Bring: Authenticated birth certificate ( Step 1 ), NBI Clearance ( Step 2 ), 4 copies of Passport - size photos ( Step 3 ) and 2 other valid IDs as back-up
Processing Fee: 500 - 700 Php ( Depending on the urgency level ); whereby, 500 Php is for normal processing, and 700 Php for Rush processing
Beware: Passport holders today could probably testify the number of scoundrels scattered outside the vicinity of DFA compound, and these scalawags could start getting at your nerves as soon as you alight from a jeepney with common modus operandi (MO) that they are DFA agents, and they'd be shouting "Step 1, Step 1!" , pointing to a crowded stall, where passport - size photos and photocopy - machines are illustrated, almost occupying the narrow walkway. Few of them are even brave enough to block you from taking the queue at the gate's entrance for frisking, by the Guard - on - Duty. Just avoid all these people by ignoring them and rush straight towards the entrance. Take note, the legitimate DFA employees are working inside the compound, and not on the streets.
Total cash required: 1500 - 2000 Php including your food and transportation
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