MANILA, Philippines —The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed that passport processing in the Philippines is facing delays of up to 10 to 15 working days due to supply chain disruptions linked to the ongoing Middle East crisis. Applications filed since the last week of March 2026 are affected, and the DFA says the revised timeline will remain in place until further notice.

In an advisory issued Wednesday, April 8, the DFA explained that the delays stem from logistical and supply chain issues impacting the third-party service provider responsible for ePassport printing. The agency emphasized that it is “closely working with its third-party service provider for ePassport printing to resolve the current delays and ensure that passport operations normalize as soon as possible.”

The DFA clarified that while the standard processing period is usually shorter, applicants should now expect their passports to be released within 10 to 15 working days from the date of application. This adjustment applies to all applications filed beginning the last week of March 2026.

Officials noted that the disruption is directly tied to the Middle East conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which has affected global supply chains and critical logistics routes. The DFA did not specify which particular aspect of the crisis caused the delay but confirmed that the situation has impacted the materials and processes required for ePassport production.

For Filipinos with urgent travel needs, the DFA advised contacting its consular offices to request emergency or expedited services. However, the agency stressed that regular applications will continue to follow the adjusted timeline until the supply chain stabilizes.

The announcement comes at a time when many Filipinos are closely monitoring developments in the Middle East, as the conflict has already disrupted oil supplies and raised concerns about the welfare of overseas Filipino workers. The passport delays add another layer of difficulty for citizens planning to travel abroad for work, study, or family reasons.

The DFA assured the public that it is prioritizing efforts to restore normal processing times as soon as possible, but applicants are urged to plan ahead and adjust expectations while the revised schedule remains in effect.