I just renewed my passport few weeks ago at the Philippine Consulate General office in Qusais and noticed there was a slight addition to the process. It still looks as easy as 1-2-3 but in reality, well, it could make you hungry.
I booked an appointment 2 weeks prior and luckily still got an available slot. That’s very rare.
It was Thursday afternoon. I reached the consulate 25 minutes ahead of my 2:20 appointment. Still, it took me 2 hours and 10 minutes to complete the process.
Here’s what I went through and how:
STEP 1: Secure an appointment online
Click here or copy and paste this address -> http://dubaipcg.checkappointments.com to your browser to book an appointment. Register a new account or login with your existing PCG account, if already a member.
I advise to do this at least 8 months before your passport’s expiration as the schedule could be full for 2-3 months ahead. Make sure also that you won’t travel in the next 2-3 months.
You will receive an email confirmation like the one below if your appointment is confirmed.
Note: Children 5 years old and below don’t need appointments.
Before your appointment date, prepare the following documents, along with your expiring passport:
- Download, print and fill-up the e-Passport application form – click here to download. Bring a blank copy of this when you go to the consulate in case the checker identifies some errors on your filled-up form.
- Minimum o2 copies of the following pages of your passport:
- Passport info page
- Emergency contact page
- Residence visa page
- Copy of the confirmed appointment email
Note: Better prepare more copies of your documents. Sometimes, they’ll ask for more of it. It won’t hurt if you have extras than to hassle your way photocopying on your appointment date.
STEP 2: Appearance day – go to the screening room
Arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment. The screening room is currently at the first tent to your left upon entering the consulate – the Moneygram tent.
Clip all your document copies and signed application form with your passport and place it at the tray corresponding with the first letter of your last name and time of appointment.
Wait for your name to be called and your documents verified.
Once confirmed, you will be given an invoice to be paid at the cashier.
STEP 3: Pay
Go to Room 3 (as of today), and pay AED240.
STEP 4: New Overseas Absentee Voting (mandatory) registration
Go to Room 4. They will give you an OAV form. Fill it up. Hand it over, along with another passport copy, to the usher and wait for your turn.
I waited for 45 minutes to get called. I was standing because there’s no ample seating.
While waiting, you will hear the same usher selling dinuguan, pansit, kwek-kwek, adobo, etc. Better go to the consulate full so not to endure eating in a plastic container on your lap.
I had to queue for another 10/15 minutes inside. After registering my info and getting my biometrics, picture and digital signature done, they gave me a small paper which is my OAV acknowledgment receipt (below).
STEP 5: Passport renewal encoding
You will be directed to the next room where you have to queue for another 45 minutes to an hour. On your turn, they’ll get your documents, biometrics, digital signature and your selfie.
On observation, processing takes 5 minutes more or less for every person. So see how many people are ahead of you and do the math.
Release of new passport takes 6-8 weeks. You can check its status here: http://www.dubaipcg.dfa.gov.ph/index.php/services/passports/available-for-release-2015
UPDATE: I got mine in 6 weeks.
Once ready, bring your receipt (below) and your Emirates ID or old passport to claim.
Remember, the best thing to bring with you on the renewal date is your PATIENCE. Bring lots of it.
