Philippine Passport Renewal in Kuwait: 2021 Comprehensive Guide

How to Renew Philippine Passport in Kuwait

For OFWs, renewing Philippine passports in the country where they currently live is essential. Even during the pandemic, it is important for our kababayans abroad to renew the official document that certifies that they are legally allowed by the government to travel outside the Philippine borders.

In the Middle East, especially in Kuwait, there are hundreds of thousands of Filipinos working and living in different parts of the state. Thanks to technology, Filipinos now have access to important and up-to-date information about significant processes they need to go through, such as in the case of passport renewals. Just by visiting the official pages and websites, you’ll find all the information you need in order to process your applications.

For those who are working and living in Kuwait, or those who may know someone who needs help in their passport renewal applications, help is here. Share this comprehensive guide to your family and friends so they may know of the updated steps and processes in renewing your Philippine passports in Kuwait this 2021!

Philippine Passport Renewal in Kuwait photo via Depositphotos

TIPS FOR FIRST-TIMERS

For first-timers, it can be a bit tedious to go through all these renewal steps. To guide you throughout the whole process, it is important that you take note of the following reminders:

There is no need to return to the Philippines to renew your Philippine passport. You may renew your passport at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate General of the country where you are currently in.
Walk-in passport applications are strictly not allowed as of March 2021 due to the safety precautions being made with the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Make sure to bring the necessary requirements in renewing or claiming your passport.
The embassy advises the public to renew their Philippine passport from 7 months to 1 year prior to the expiry date on the passport data page.
Make sure to use a valid and active Yahoo or Gmail email address when booking a passport appointment.
Use only BLACK INK in filling out any application forms.
Passport application forms are downloadable and free of charge.
Setting renewal appointments is FREE; beware of fixers and scammers. Do not transact with fixers and scammers: report and file a formal complaint for the Embassy to conduct an investigation.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Embassy extends old passports’ validity for those who will renew residence visas or iqama in Kuwait. Those applying for extension for overseas travel, except for the Philippines, may be barred entry in their destination. Not all countries recognize extended passports.

Take note of the following processing time for passport renewal:

Processing/Interview: 7 AM to 1 PM
Releasing: 7 AM to 1 PM
The waiting Period is 30-45 days

Make sure to check the website and official Facebook page for scheduled holidays as the offices may be closed. Read the public advisories posted on their website, translated both in English and Filipino for your convenience.

Requirements to Renew Your Philippine Passport in Kuwait

As of April 2021, the passport renewal fee in Kuwait is KD 19.50*. Make sure to accomplish the following requirements to proceed with the passport renewal. Having incomplete requirements at the renewal schedule will hamper your passport renewal process. Here are the requirements as of April 2021:

Confirmed passport appointment. To book an appointment, go to this link: https://www.passport.gov.ph
Personal appearance at the time and date of passport renewal appointment
Accomplished Renewal Regular Passport Application Form. [Click on the link to download the form. Note that this form is free; not for sale]
Original passport
A photocopy of your Philippine passport data page and the last page
A photocopy of your Kuwait Residence Visa (if available)

Steps to Renew Your Passport in Kuwait

After you’ve prepared all the requirements needed for the passport renewal, you’re now set to work on your passport renewal. Follow this step-by-step guide before, during, and after renewing your passport in Kuwait:

BEFORE PASSPORT RENEWAL

Book a passport appointment via DFA’s Global Online Appointment System (GOAS). You may schedule an appointment via this link.
Check your email. After booking an online appointment, you’ll receive 2 emails which will contain a (1) confirmation link of your passport appointment and (2) appointment code and accomplished application form.
Print your accomplished Passport Application form.
Prepare the exact amount of passport renewal fee (KD 19.50).

How to use DFA’s Global Online Appointment System (GOAS):

For first-time GOAS users, follow this guide to navigate the site easily.

Log on to GOAS, then click on Schedule Appointment.
After reading the instructions and Terms and Conditions carefully, tick the check box and click on the START INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENT (for solo renewals) and GROUP APPOINTMENT (for two or more renewals).
At the Individual Appointment Site Location, choose MIDDLE EAST as the region, KUWAIT as the country, and choose your preferred site.
At the Individual Appointment Date and Time, choose your preferred schedule for passport renewal. Take note that your chosen time slot is only reserved for 20 minutes. Dates in red are fully-booked and unavailable. Additional slots are regularly made so make sure to check the site regularly.
Once you have picked your desired schedule, provide your accurate personal, family, and contact information.
Make sure to review all of your entries to make sure that they are accurate.
Check your email to see the provisional email, which will contain instructions to confirm your booking.
Check a confirmation email that will be sent to the email address you used to register.
Print the application packet found in your email confirmation.
Once you’ve confirmed your passport renewal schedule, arrive at your scheduled date and time for passport renewal.

DURING PASSPORT RENEWAL

Bring the necessary requirements for the passport renewal.
Arrive right on time for your passport renewal appointment. Minors aged 17 and below must be accompanied by an adult.
All passport services, from renewal to releasing will be held at the Al-Sahel Sports Club in Abu Halifa Area. There will be no passport renewal and release in its temporary office in Sabah Al-Salem.

AFTER PASSPORT RENEWAL

Claim your new passport at the embassy within 6 months of its issuance.
Walk-ins are accepted for passport releasing only.
Make sure to check The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait’s official Facebook page for their regular announcements on passport releasing. If your name is on the list, go to Al-Sahel Sports Club sa Abu Halifa Area from Sunday to Thursday, from 7 AM to 1 PM only.
An online appointment is not required to claim your passport.

Image from The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait’s Facebook page

For those whose names are not on the list posted on the Facebook page, you are not allowed to go to Al-Sahel Sports Club yet. Those who are feeling sick or feverish are discouraged from entering the venue as a safety precaution due to coronavirus.

How to go to Al-Sahel Sports Club for Passport Renewal

How to get to Al-Sahel Sports Club in Kuwait

This infographic shows the entrance and parking points at the Al-Sahel Sports Club. You may also take the buses mentioned on the map to go to the sports club. View this link for the Google Maps location.

Additional notes regarding Passport Renewal in Kuwait:

Passport-holders with passports about to expire within the next six months, you should apply for renewal of passports to avoid lapses in validity or immigration penalty.
Passports that had already expired for more than a year may no longer be extended.
Passport validity may only be extended once.
Kuwait Residence Visa must immediately be transferred to the new passport to avoid immigration penalties.
For a visa that expires earlier than the passport, apply for passport renewal three months before the visa’s expiry date.

For Non-Passport Related Concerns in Kuwait

To those with concerns on notarial, birth or marriage report, or assistance, these will be offered at the temporary office in Sabah Al-Salem. For Assistance to National Concerns (ATN), you may contact the PH Embassy in Kuwait at +965 6500 2612. Note that there will be no passport releasing in this temporary office, as this will be for non-passport related concerns only.

Official Websites and Contact Details

Keep up to date by following and regularly checking the websites and social media accounts of The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait.

Was this guide helpful to you? Bookmark this link or share these to your family and friends so they may know of the things to do before, during, and after passport renewal in Kuwait!

Note: Information retrieved are as of April 6, 2021, and may be subject to change without prior notice. Visit the official website and social media pages for up-to-date details.

*KD 19.50 = Php 3,144.01 as of April 6, 2021

Sources: The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait’s website, Philippine Embassy in Kuwait Facebook page

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