What is the Meaning of DFA – Department of Foreign Affairs

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is the executive department of the Philippines responsible for carrying out foreign relations of the Republic of the Philippines. The DFA is headed by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

The primary objective of the DFA is to promote national interest. In the pursuit of this objective, the DFA takes charge of formulating, implementing and coordinating the country’s overall foreign policy.

The DFA is responsible for the protection of Filipino citizens and interests abroad. It supervises diplomatic missions and consular posts, and cooperates with other government agencies and international organizations in promoting Philippine interests. The DFA also manages bilateral relations with other countries.

The DFA is comprised of several bureaus and offices, which are each responsible for a specific function. These bureaus and offices work together to achieve the department’s objectives.

meaning of dfa department of foreign affairs

Overview

Many Filipino recognize DFA as a department of government wherein they can apply for a passport or visa. But did you know that this agency didn’t start as it is?

Way back in 1898, then President Emilio Aguinaldo selected Apolinario Mabini as the Republic’s first Secretary of Foreign Affairs. That is June 23, eleven days after the Philippines achieved independence in Kawit, Cavite.

The DFA was one of the first government agencies established after the creation of the First Philippine Republic. The said department has played a big role in establishing diplomatic connections with other countries. Now, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is the primary agency in charge of implementing the State’s foreign policy.

The DFA advises and aids the President in the planning, coordination, and evaluation of the entire national foreign relations effort.

The DFA is responsible for the following agencies:

  • Foreign Service Institute Technical Cooperation Council of the Philippines
  • UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines Secretariat

What is DFA

DFA is an acronym for the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Purpose of DFA

The Department of Foreign Affairs serves as a pillar of the Philippines Foreign Policy. It plays a big role in preserving and enhancing the Philippines’ national security, promoting and attaining economic security, and last but not the least, it protects the right and welfare of Filipinos overseas.

About this Agency

The Department of Foreign Affairs or DFA  is known in the Philippines as “Kagawaran ng Ugnayang Panlabas” It stands as the executive branch of the Philippine Government tasked to contribute to the enhancement of national security and the protection of territorial integrity and national sovereignty, DFA is also participating in the national endeavor of sustaining development and enhancing the Philippines’ competitive edge, protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of Filipinos abroad, and mobilizing every Filipino people.

dfa department of foreign affairs logo
Logo of DFA

Functions and Responsibilities

  • Protect the country by participating in national security.
  • Engage OFWs to become partners in the national development.
  • Protect and promote the rights of every Filipino living in abroad.
  • The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is strongly involved in assisting the president when it comes to planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, integrating, and evaluating of the whole national effort in foreign relations.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) caters four main services which includes Authentication, Passport, Visa, and Consular Records.

Authentication of Documents

DFA offers an Authentication service that covers the processing or validating of a document. This will answer the questions like where it came from, is the signature authentic, is the legal authority who signed it correctly?

If the country of destination of the authenticated document is also a State Party to the Apostille Convention (Austria, Germany, Finland, and Greece), there is no need for authentication proof by the foreign embassy or consulate.

However, if the destination country is not a State Party to the Convention, or if the document is to be presented in Austria, Finland, Germany, or Greece, authentication must be done by the Foreign Embassy or Consulate because it is strictly required.

Philippine Passport Application

DFA issues Passport to Filipino citizens who will be crossing different countries of destination. The Philippine passport is a Property of the Republic of the Philippines, therefore, only Filipino citizens can have it. It will be issued to a citizen who applied for it. Passports are being presented at the airport before boarding outside the country. A passport holder must also be aware that content modification, addition, or destruction is strictly prohibited. Any unlawful modification will invalidate a passport and will result in penalties.

The information on the passport application form must be accurate and complete. The documents being presented must be comprehensive and legitimate. Making false representations on the passport application form, as well as providing fake or counterfeit documents in support, are illegal and penalized by law.

Have an overseas trip? Whether for pleasure or business, you need to secure a passport from DFA. This is considered one of the important Identification a Filipino Citizen must have when traveling abroad. A passport, which confirms your national identification and citizenship, is the number one priority when planning to go overseas.

Requirements:

  • Online Appointment Confirmation
  • Duly Accomplished Application Form
  • Birth Certificate
  • Valid ID
  • Personal Appearance

Important Reminder:

Starting March 14, 2022, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will open a courtesy lane for walk-in passport applicants, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), at its office in Paranaque City’s Aseana Business Park. Applicants who qualify for the passport courtesy lane will be accommodated at the DFA’s Aseana office beginning at 1 p.m. till 5 p.m. if they are completely immunized against COVID-19.

Philippine Visa Application

DFA also covers the issuance of a Philippine Visa. The Visa will stand as an endorsement made on a travel document by a consular officer at a Philippine Embassy or Consulate abroad indicating that the visa application was properly examined and that the bearer is permitted to proceed to the Philippines and request permission to enter the country from Philippine Immigration authorities at the ports of entry.

Any entry of foreign nationals here in the Philippines is the responsibility of the immigration authorities. But the visa does not guarantee that the holder would be automatically capable of entering the country.

Foreign tourists tagged as “Temporary Visitors” also must also secure a visa. 

A “foreign tourist” is defined as a person who enters the Philippines for a legitimate, nonimmigrant purpose such as sightseeing, sports, health, family reasons, training, or study (excluding enrollment in schools for the purpose of obtaining a title or degree), religious pilgrimage, business, cultural, and scientific purposes.

If you are getting a temporary visitor’s visa, you need to apply for it personally. If you are under 18 years old, the application can be processed by the consular-approved guardian. Applicants for a temporary visitor’s visa should generally apply at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in their country of residency.

Consular Records

DFA also handles Consular Affairs’ Civil Registry Division (OCA-CRD), which serves as the receiving and initial processing office for applications making late registration for reports of Birth, Marriage, and Death that occurred abroad involving Filipino citizens. It also acts as a relay station for information between Philippine embassies and consulates and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). OCA-CRD works with the Foreign Service Posts and PSA to address clients’ civil registry issues and concerns.

Consular Records handles the following reports and concerns:

  • Report of Birth (ROB)
  • Report of Marriage (ROM)
  • Report of Death (ROD) of Filipinos Abroad

Requirements needed by the DFA Consular Records:

  • Birth Report of Birth (ROB) Requirements in Japan
  • Report of Birth (ROB) requirements for births outside of Japan
  • Report of Marriage (ROM) requirements for marriages in Japan or between a Filipino and a Japanese national
  • Report of Marriage (ROM) requirements for international marriages (except in Japan)
  • Report of Death Requirements (ROD)

Getting a Passport in the Philippines via DFA

Have an overseas trip? Whether for pleasure or business, you need to secure a passport from DFA. This is considered one of the important Identification a Filipino Citizen must have when traveling abroad. A passport, which serves as a confirmation of your national identification and citizenship, is the number one priority when planning to go overseas.

Requirements:

  • Online Appointment Confirmation
  • Duly Accomplished Application Form
  • Birth Certificate
  • Valid ID
  • Personal Appearance

Important Reminder:

Starting March 14, 2022, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will open a courtesy lane for walk-in passport applicants, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), at its office in Paranaque City’s Aseana Business Park. Applicants who qualify for the passport courtesy lane will be accommodated at the DFA’s Aseana office beginning at 1 p.m. till 5 p.m. if they are completely immunized against COVID-19.

Step 1: Secure a schedule online.

First and foremost, the online appointment is FREE. The passport processing fee is what you need to pay. Due to the pandemic disease that is still existing in the country, walk-in applicants are not allowed, except for emergency and extraordinary instances. Regular and non-emergency applicants must make an online appointment to ensure their slots. Do this ahead of your preferred travel date as much as possible to give yourself enough time to prepare all the requirements to need. Due to the high volume of applications, closed date slots may be taken. 

Go to this website for your schedule https://www.passport.gov.ph/appointment

Step 2: Complete the application form.

After you’ve been assigned a slot, you’ll be sent to the next stage, which is to complete the four-page online application form. Keep in mind that you only have 15 minutes to do this. To get enough time, make sure to prepare all the possible information needed before scheduling an online appointment.

Step 3: Pay the passport application fee.

After submitting the form, the next step is to pay the passport processing fee. Depending on your situation, select one of the two processing options:

  • Regular processing costs P950.00
  • In Manila, express processing costs P1,200.00

Step 4: On the day of your appointment, go to your preferred DFA Office.

Finally, you can now go to your assigned DFA branch! You must show up in person at your preferred DFA office on your scheduled date. Bring all of the required documents, as well as your printed application form, the checklist with your confirmed itinerary, and your eReceipt (two copies).

  • Document Verification. 
  • Processing. 
  • Data Encoding and Biometrics. 
  • Delivery.

Step 5: Get your passport.

If you did not use the passport delivery service when you applied at your preferred DFA office, you must return on the given passport release date. If the schedule changes, the DFA will notify you through email. Bring your application receipt and any other proof, such as a claim stub, if appropriate. Before leaving the counter, double-check all of the information on your passport. Check if your name is not misspelled, this is to avoid any typo errors on your passport.

REMINDERS

  • The DFA implements a “No Escort” policy. Companions, who are not applicants, are not permitted within the DFA premises unless they are the guardian of a minor or they are assisting a person with special needs.
  • Don’t be late. Be there at least 30 minutes before you confirmed the schedule. Those who arrive late for their appointment will not be accommodated.
  • Make sure to bring all the requirements prepared both the original and photocopies.
  • Make yourself a presentable member that your photo will be taken for your passport with 10-year validity so that your image of you will stick with you for a long time, so have the best look. It is advisable to wear a decent top like a collared shirt with plain colors. Just remember, avoid applying too much makeup.
  • Wear proper attire. The DFA enforces a strict dress code, which prohibits wearing spaghetti straps, sando, plunging necklines, sleeveless tops, tube tops, halter tops, and see-through tops. Colored contact lenses, eyeglasses, and accessories like earrings, necklaces, or other facial piercings must be removed during photo capturing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions and answers about this department:

1. Where can I contact DFA?

You can reach them through different hotlines.

  • Authentication Concerns- Dial 0966-410-8465
  • Passport Appointment- (02)8234-3488
  • Visa Hotline- 0955-852-3251

2. I want to go personally to DFA, is it possible?

No, this is due to the current situation of the country, health protocols must still be followed. You must get an appointment online before going to any DFA branch. You can also check if the courtesy lanes for walk-ins and OFWs are available in your location because the DFA announced early this year that there will be courtesy lanes open for fully vaccinated walk-ins and OFWs this 2022.

3. How to get an appointment?

Just go to your browser and visit https://www.passport.gov.ph

4. How many years before the Philippines Passport expires?

It is one of the mandates of President Rodrigo Duterte to provide Filipinos with longer validity of passports so that Filipinos’ burden in finances and effort will be lessened. This is especially for OFWs who are working abroad. Now, for Filipinos aged 18 years old and above the validity of a passport is 10 years. While of Filipinos under 18, the validity of a passport is only 5 years.

5. Who can apply for a Philippines Passport?

You can only acquire the Philippine Passport if you’re Filipino citizen. Every country has its own unique passport and the system of acquiring one might be different in other countries.

6. How much do I need to pay for a passport?

Regular Passport- P950.00, Express P1,200.00, Lost P350.00.

7. What if I lost my expired passport?

You need to submit an Affidavit of Loss. This will be recorded as your first-time application.

Summary

DFA is not only committed to providing Filipinos the best identification they can have when traveling to other countries, which is the Passport. They are also working on communications with other countries, protecting the welfare and rights of OFWs and travelers abroad.

DFA is one of the closest departments to the presidential office since they are working with the president and assisting the said office in planning, organizing, and coordinating with the foreign relation of the Philippines.

If you are a Filipino Citizen who needs to travel abroad and secure a passport from DFA, starting March 16, 2022, the DFA-OCA in Aseana Business Park, Paranaque City will be accepting walk-in applicants. A qualified applicant for the courtesy lane will be Senior Citizen, Pregnant, Person with Disabilities, Solo Parent, Minors, and OFWs.

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