PHL Embassy in Saudi Arabia on track to process 70k passports this year

After processing more than 60,000 passports in the first 10 months of 2014, the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia said it is on track to processing up to 70,000 passports for the entire year.

The embassy said that as of Oct. 30, it has processed and released 61,348 e-Passports, an increase from last year.

"The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh has been processing an average of 6,000 applicants every month, with the highest in May reaching 7,344 applicants," the embassy said.

It said it has experienced increases in passport applications every year, at an average increase of 10 to 20 percent every year.

According to the embassy, it processed and released 34,490 passports in 2010, and the number has been increasing every year, reaching 73,343 in 2013.

Since 2012, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh has been using an online appointment system for passport applications.

However, it also allows walk-in applicants for newly born children, applicants for replacement for lost passports, senior and disabled applicants, and applicants for passport extension.

"The appointment system has not in anyway reduced the number of applicants, and has reduced the waiting time for any applicant at the Embassy or during consular outreach. There are over 300 appointment slots scheduled every day, but about 30 percent do not show up for their appointments," it said.

Meanwhile, the embassy urged all Filipinos to check the validity of their passports, and to apply for a passport if their passport is valid for less than nine months.

It said appointments are scheduled for free on the Embassy website (www.riyadhpe.dfa.gov.ph). —Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News

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