Update · passport fees
Passport Fee Increase 2026: ₱950 Stays, ₱1,500 Explained
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Quick answer
The DFA passport fee is still ₱950 for regular processing and ₱1,200 for expedited processing. The ₱1,500 fee in the passport fee increase 2026 reports is only a proposal. It came from the APO Production Unit, the government printer that makes passports. According to news reports, the DFA asked APO to wait until 2028. No new fee is in force, so pay only the amount shown after you book on passport.gov.ph.
Is the passport fee going up to ₱1,500 in 2026?
Not now. GMA News reported on 18 September 2026 that APO asked to raise the fee to ₱1,500. The request came up at the Senate hearing on the DFA's 2027 budget. Gulf News carried the same report on 21 September 2026. We found no DFA statement and no new fee on the DFA websites, so these news reports are the only public account.
According to GMA News, the DFA asked APO to defer the increase until 2028. That is when a new generation of passport is planned. The same report says the fee last went up more than ten years ago.
The law also limits how often the fee can change. Section 16 of the New Philippine Passport Act (Republic Act No. 11983) says a passport fee cannot go up more than once every three years.
How much does a passport cost now?
The fees below are the ones the DFA lists for both new passports and renewals. The proposal column shows only what the news reports describe.
| Item | DFA fee now | Proposed by APO (news reports) |
|---|---|---|
| Regular processing | ₱950 | ₱1,500 |
| Expedited processing | ₱1,200 | Not stated |
| Lost or damaged passport penalty | ₱350 extra | Not stated |
| Seniors and OFWs | Same as everyone | ₱1,200 mentioned as a possible discount |
DFA passport fees now and the ₱1,500 proposal, source: https://passport.gov.ph/faqs_1 and https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1002867/dfa-urges-delay-in-implementing-p1-5k-passport-fee-until-2028/story/
So a lost passport costs ₱1,300 with regular processing or ₱1,550 with expedited processing today. The lost passport guide lists the papers you need. For delivery costs and how to pay, see our passport price page.
What would ₱1,500 mean for a family of four?
At today's regular fee, four passports cost ₱3,800. At ₱1,500 each, the same four would cost ₱6,000. That is ₱2,200 more for one family. With expedited processing today, four passports cost ₱4,800.
The reports say a lower ₱1,200 rate was mentioned for groups such as seniors and OFWs. They also say this was not final. Nothing about it is official yet.
Our passport cost calculator adds up the DFA fee, penalties and other costs for each person. It uses today's DFA fees.
Would passport renewal abroad cost more?
The news reports do not cover fees abroad. Embassies and consulates set their own renewal fee in local currency. These are the adult renewal fees that three posts publish on their own websites:
- Embassy in Tokyo: JPY 9,000
- MECO in Taiwan: TWD 2,000
- Embassy in Washington, D.C.: USD 60
Our passport renewal fee page lists these posts with their links. The guide to passport renewal abroad explains how to book at your post.
What should I do if I need a passport now?
You do not need to rush, and you do not need to wait. The fee you pay is the one in force on the day you pay.
- Book only on passport.gov.ph. Appointment slots are free. Never pay a fixer or a page that sells slots.
- Check your papers first. The requirements for a new passport are different from those for a renewal.
- Renew early if you travel soon. Processing takes working days, not hours. The passport renewal guide explains each step.
- Pay the amount shown after booking. If a new fee is ever approved, the DFA booking site will show it.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the passport fee in 2026?
The DFA fee is ₱950 for regular processing and ₱1,200 for expedited processing. The same fee applies to a first passport and to a renewal. A lost or damaged passport adds a ₱350 penalty. The ₱1,500 fee in the news is a proposal from the passport printer and is not in force. Pay only the amount shown after you book on passport.gov.ph.
Who proposed the ₱1,500 passport fee?
According to GMA News and Gulf News, the APO Production Unit asked for it. APO is the government printer that makes Philippine passports. The request came up at the Senate hearing on the DFA's 2027 budget. The DFA has not announced a new fee. The reports say the DFA asked APO to defer the increase until 2028.
When could the passport fee go up?
No date is set. GMA News reported that the DFA asked APO to wait until 2028, when a new generation of passport is planned. The New Philippine Passport Act, Republic Act No. 11983, also says a passport fee cannot go up more than once every three years. Until the DFA publishes a new fee, the price stays ₱950 regular and ₱1,200 expedited.
Should I renew my passport now to avoid the increase?
Renew when you need to, not because of the news. No higher fee is in force, and the DFA asked to delay any change until 2028. If your passport expires within the next year, or you plan to travel or work abroad, booking now is sensible anyway. Book only on passport.gov.ph. Appointment slots are free, so never pay anyone for one.
Will the passport renewal fee abroad change too?
The news reports do not say. Embassies and consulates charge their own renewal fees in local currency. For example, the Embassy in Tokyo charges JPY 9,000, MECO in Taiwan charges TWD 2,000, and the Embassy in Washington, D.C. charges USD 60. Check the fee list of your own post before you book.
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