Difference Between the E-Passport and the Machine Readable Passport or MRP

Yes people of the Philippines, part of the steps in applying for a passport can be done online and it'll give you an easy way throughout the whole process!

I've been yearning for quite some time to avail of my passport since I've never owned one since birth. I also have the wanting to go out of the country of course! I've never ever been out of Luzon, can you believe that? And I'm like already in my 20's. Yeah I know it sucks.

Well anyway, I read Earl's Blog - Pinoy Potter Chronicles - about the renewal process of the Philippine Pasaporte to become what's known as an E-Passport. If you visit his blog, there are steps there which might help you understand better the 1-2-3 of renewing your current passport.

Philippine E-Passport Look. Difference is the International E-Passport icon found below the word "Pasaporte"

Philippine E-Passport Look. Difference is the International E-Passport icon found below the word "Pasaporte"

Just so you know, currently only passport renewals will be entitle to the new E-Passport. New applicants like me are only eligible to apply for the MRP or Machine Readable Passport. Now what's the difference?

In terms of looks, nothing. As you can see on the image provided, the only difference is the icon below the word "Pasaporte" found on the bottom part of the image. That Square Pokeball looking icon is the international icon used to convey that the passport is a microchip-technology-facilitated passport - an E-Passport.

Anyway, basically, the EP is a passport with an embeded microchip technology in it that contains your details. These contain info like your name, biometrics, identification number, and signature. MRP on the other hand is the usual passport that has a machine readable zone in it.

That's it? Nope. The thing is, the EP has this feature of being read from a distance - any e-passport reading device within your (the EP's) range can read your details. And as I've said before, the MRP only has this machine readable zone.

The very benefit of this new implementation is to avoid passport tampering, which is quite rampant in terms of those who engage in illegal trafficking. Unless a brilliant hacker manages to somehow manipulate info in your EP's chip, the EP system is bound to be more secure than the current MRP.

Both types of passports now come in the new color - maroon. Maybe you've encounter hear-say info regarding green PH passports being obselete. Well,those guys still carrying green passports should mind planning renewals. I've managed to ask tellers in the Department of Foreign Affairs Building and I was informed that starting April 2010, Green Passports won't be honored anymore. I can't stand and say that this is 100% true. But since a DFA personnel, who is processing applications that time, explained this to me, there's a good chance that this will come to implementation soon. I say there's no hurt renewing. So yes, renew now.

You can set your appointment online via the DFA Website.

If you'd like to view a more organized set of steps for your renewal, try Earl's Entry.

Will post my experience soon too :)

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2009-11-14 05:56:23 Steps: by Earl

Just don't forget, since you applied for the MRP, you still need to have Passport-size photos with royal blue background. Also, you need to put your thumbmark in your application form. May kaartehan pa yan ng konti na dapat yung pictures mo sa baba ng form ay nakalagay sa isang maliit na pouch bago mo i-staple.

Read justwandering.org's entry na nakalink sa blog entry ko. That will literally be the same steps for your case. :-)

2010-02-05 06:50:58 by Ann

Thanks for information! link:http://www.google.com

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