The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday launched a special online appointment system for active overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at its Robinsons Galleria consular office in Ortigas.

In an advisory, the agency said eligible passport applicants must present a valid working visa or re-entry visa for land-based OFWs or a valid seaman’s book with arrival stamped not more than 364 days from the date of application for seafarers.

“As the dedicated passport OFW renewal center, and in line with the demand for passport appointment slots by OFWs during the pandemic, a dedicated Online Appointment System for Active OFWs was created to address this need,” the advisory read.

The applicants must also submit any of the following:

– Valid Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) E-card;
– Latest overseas employment certificate receipt; and
– Latest OFW information sheet from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration

Active OFWs may book their appointments through www.passport.gov.ph by selecting the DFA NCR Central site (Robinsons Galleria-Active OFW Lane).

Passport applicants who do not qualify as active OFWs, meanwhile, are reminded to book an appointment at other sites to avoid inconvenience.

“Unqualified or incomplete applications will not be accommodated, and any fees paid will be forfeited,” the DFA said. (PNA)