MANILA — Filipinos applying for new passports are now facing longer waiting times of up to 15 working days after disruptions in the electronic passport printing supply chain linked to the Middle East crisis, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

The DFA said the delays affect applications submitted starting the last week of March.

The agency added that the extended processing period would remain in effect “until further notice.”

According to the department, it is coordinating with its third-party service provider responsible for ePassport printing to address the issue and restore normal operations as soon as possible.

The advisory did not detail which specific aspect of the Middle East crisis caused the disruption, nor did it indicate how many applicants have been affected.

Applicants requiring urgent or emergency consular services may contact the DFA through passportconcerns@dfa.gov.ph or oca.concerns@dfa.gov.ph.