General Information

Notice On Machine Readable Passports


PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN BERNE TO ISSUE
MACHINE READABLE PASSPORTS
IN JANUARY 2009

     The Embassy of the Philippines in Berne, Switzerland wishes to inform Filipinos in its consular jurisdiction that starting January 2009 it will be accepting and processing applications for the new Machine Readable Passports (MRP).The new MRPs will provide improved security features at no additional cost. The new MRP will still cost CHF70.00 or US$50.00.
             A Machine Readable Passport (MRP) is a passport where the personal details of the applicant 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.
             The MRP allows faster entry and exit of the traveler at airports, as the data and biometrics in the MRP can be read by a machine and stored automatically in the database of immigration officers. This means greater convenience and security for traveler.
              The new MRP, which is maroon in color, consists of 44 pages. The data in the MRP is now fully printed. The MRP has superior security features compared to the old green passports, which virtually eliminates the possibility of identity theft and acts of fraud.
Only the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila prints the MRP. Applications received by the Embassy will be sent to DFA via diplomatic pouch or by Federal Express. In view of the transit time, it will now take SIX (6) WEEKS for a passport to be released to the applicant, from the time the application is processed. Applicants are advised to apply for or renew their passport way ahead of their expected date of travel or at least six months before the expiration of their passport.
            PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF APPLICANT IS REQUIRED except when the applicant is 8 years old and younger, 65 years and older, and mentally or physically incapacitated for data verification, thumb mark/finger-printing and signing of the application form. Application by mail will not be accepted.
             Current holders of valid Philippine green passports will still be honored until its date of expiry.

NEW PHOTO REQUIREMENTS for the MRP are the following:

•    Background – Royal Blue.
•    Recent Photo (photo should have been taken within the last 6 months)
•    Photograph should be printed on good quality photo paper with matte finish
•    Size – 4.5 cm. (height) X 3.5 cm (width)
•    Pose – image of the applicant is 70-80% of the photograph
•    straight frontal shot (no titling of head)
•    “medium” smile is allowed
•    collared shirt / decent attire
•    both ears visible 
•    prescription eye-glasses allowed, provided there is no glare 
•    head scarf / veil for religious or health reasons allowed
•    Cropping- there should be at least 8mm to 10mm space at the top of the photo between the edge of the photo and the crown/head of the person, to allow for cropping of the photo.
•    Photos can be rejected for the following reasons :
•    Distorted image – head is tilted or smile is too wide
•    Women – excessive make-up, earrings
•    Men – wearing make-up and earrings
•    Colored contact lenses
•    Use of headgear other than scarf/veil for religious or health reasons
•    Use of dark eyeglasses / shades
•    Photos with “red-eye” effect
•    Dirty photos / poor quality photo (washed out image / unnatural skin tone)
•    Digitally altered / graphically taken photos (squares or pixels appear on photo)
•    Blurred photo
•    Wrong color background
•    Applicant does not look directly to the camera (exception: applicant has a medical/physical condition)
         For other inquiries on the Machine Readable Passport, please contact the Consular Section at (031) 350-17 15, or visit the Embassy’s website at www.philembassyberne.ch
        Please check the website of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs at www.dfa.gov.ph for the latest information regarding the Philippine Machine Readable Passport .                

For required forms go to downloads.

Assistance to Nationals (ATN):

For further inquiries to Assistance to Nationals please contact:

The Consular Section
Philippine Embassy
Kirchenfeldstrasse 73-75
CH-3005 Berne
E-mail: info@philembassyberne.ch
Tel.  +41 (31) 350 17 17
Fax  +41 (31) 352 26 02

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