The Mobile Consular Mission in Darwin processed 304 passport applications from 17 – 19 May 2022

24 May 2022 – During the Mobile Consular Mission in Darwin conducted from 17-19 May 2022, the Philippine Embassy in Canberra processed 304 passport applications and administered the oath of allegiance to 14 Filipinos who reacquired their Filipino citizenship through Republic Act No. 9225 or the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003.

The Embassy team was composed of Consul General Aian Caringal, Mr. Roderick Sierra, and Ms. Gloria Celis. The Embassy is thankful for the support extended by Philippine Honorary Consul General Januario John Rivas AM and volunteer Mr. Michael Alvin Paul Villegas Sullesta during the mission and to the Filipino Australian Association of the NT (FAANT) for allowing the use of the Filipino Community Centre as the venue.

Mobile consular missions to Darwin, Northern Territory are held annually. After being cancelled twice in 2020 due to border restrictions and COVID-19 regulations, mobile consular missions to Darwin resumed last year in April 2021.

For our kababayans seeking further passport services, the Embassy provides the following information:

1. If your passport is not yet expired, you may contact the Philippine Consulate in Darwin to apply for a one-year passport extension at least one (1) month before the expiry date of your passport; This service can be done by mail and does not entail personal appearance at the Embassy/Consulate. An extended passport can be further extended for another year at the Philippine Embassy in Canberra, with applications also accepted by mail. Please note that passport extension is only a temporary emergency measure and extended passports may not be accepted for travel to countries other than the Philippines.

2. For those with expired passports, year-round passport renewal services continue to be available at the Philippine Embassy in Canberra and the Philippine Consulates General in Sydney and Melbourne, except during lockdowns and declared holidays.

3. For Filipinos with urgent need to travel to the Philippines and have expired Philippine passports, you may apply at the Philippine Consulate in Darwin for a Philippine Travel Document which is valid for 30-days for one-way travel to the Philippines. Under current IATF regulations, Filipinos who have reacquired / retained their Philippine citizenship and do not have their Philippine passports are also allowed to enter the Philippines as long as they present their Oath of Allegiance and Identification Certificate along with their foreign passport. END