If your Philippine passport is nearing its expiry date, you’ll need to get it renewed right away. But just how easy is it to do, especially when you’re living in another country?
Read on to find out how to renew your passport while in Malaysia. You’ll be pleased to know that there are a couple of ways to do it, without needing to fly home to the Philippines. We’ll cover the application process, the documents you’ll need and any fees you need to know about.
Plus, a quick look at a brilliant solution for managing your money between Malaysia and the Philippines - the Wise account.
But first, let’s get that passport renewed for you.
Do I need to return to Malaysia to renew my passport?
The good news is that you don’t need to interrupt your stay in Malaysia in order to renew your passport. You can do it right here, without needing to fly back home to the Philippines.
You’ll be able to apply at the Philippine Embassy Malaysia for passport renewal, or at the BLS Philippine Passport Renewal Center¹. Both are in Kuala Lumpur, so you will need to make arrangements to travel there if you aren’t already staying in the capital.
How to renew your Philippine passport in Malaysia - your options
As we’ve mentioned, you have two choices when it comes to renewing your Philippine passport while living or travelling in Malaysia. You can make an appointment at the BLS Philippine Passport Renewal Center or the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
It all depends on your circumstances, such as which type of passport you have and whether any of your key personal details have changed since you initially applied for the passport. We’ll run through everything you need to know in just a moment.
Can I renew my passport online?
Online passport renewal at the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia isn’t available. However, you can find lots of information about the application process and required documentation on the Embassy’s website. You’ll also be able to download and print the application form you’ll need.
Renewing your passport at the BLS Philippine Passport Renewal Center (PaRC)
You can only apply at the BLS PaRC if both of the following apply¹:
- You’re renewing an e-Passport (a passport with a microchip)
- There are no amendments to your personal details as they appear on your passport.
If you’re renewing a green, maroon or older passport, you’ll need to apply at the Embassy. The same for lost or damaged passports, complex cases, and any applications where biographical details have changed.
If you’re eligible to apply at the BLS PaRC, here’s a step-by-step guide for what to do¹:
- Visit the BLS International website to book your appointment at the Philippine Passport Renewal Center. It’s open Monday to Friday, 10am to 7pm. The address is: Ground Floor, 7 & 9, Jalan Medan Tuanku Satu, 50300 Kuala Lumpur².
- Download and complete the application form - find it here.
- Attend your appointment and submit your application. You’ll need to pay any required fees in cash.
- Wait for your passport to arrive, then return to the BLS PaRC to collect it, making sure to bring your old passport and other documentation with you.
How to make a passport renewal appointment at the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia
You can renew all passport types at the Embassy of the Philippines in Kuala Lumpur, including green, maroon and e-passports.
You must make an appointment in advance to renew your passport at the Embassy. The only exceptions to this ‘no appointment, no entry’ rule are for people with disabilities, pregnant women, senior citizens and children under 7 years old. For these applicants, walk-in appointments are allowed³.
Here’s a handy step-by-step guide to the process:
- You have to book an appointment. To make a Philippine Embassy Malaysia passport renewal online appointment, click here. This will take you to the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs website, which offers passport appointment bookings in Philippine embassies all over the world.
- Download an application form, complete it and bring it along to your appointment at the Philippines Embassy in Malaysia along with your documents. The Embassy is located at the following address: No. 1 Changkat Kia Peng, 50450, Kuala Lumpur³.
- Once you’ve submitted your application, wait for your new passport to arrive. Once notified - return to the Embassy to collect it.
Need help? The Philippine Embassy Kuala Lumpur contact number is +(603) 2148 4233. You can also email on klpe.passportrenewal@dfa.gov.ph⁴.
What documents will I need?
Here’s what documentation you’ll need to renew your Philippines passport in Malaysia, for both of the methods outlined above⁵:
- Your completed application form
- Your current e-passport
- A photocopy of the data page of your current passport
- Original PSA authenticated documents to support a change of name (if applicable) - for example, marriage contract, birth certificate or death certificate of spouse.
Fees and costs
Let’s take a look at how much it costs to renew your passport:
Cost | Application at BLS PaRC⁶ | Application at Philippines Embassy⁷ |
Consular fee | RM 288 | RM 288 |
Passport Revolving Fee (PRF) | RM 24 | - |
Processing fee | RM 113 | - |
How long will it take to renew my passport?
If you’re applying through the BLS Philippines Passport Renewal Center, you can expect it to take 4-6 weeks⁶ for your application to be processed.
At the Philippines Embassy, the average wait time is 1-2 months⁵ from the date of application.
Sending money to the Philippines? Get the real, mid-market exchange rate with Wise
If you’re living or staying in Malaysia as a Philippine citizen, you’ll need a way to manage your money between countries.
If you’re transferring money abroad regularly, take a look at the Wise multi-currency account. You can hold 40+ currencies at once, and send money all over the world for low fees. You can also spend in Malaysia, the Philippines and 150+ other countries at the fairest exchange rate using your own linked Visa debit card.
You probably have noticed that sending money between Malaysia and the Philippines can get quite expensive when using regular banks. That's because banks have foreign transaction fees, and often apply unfavourable mark-ups on their exchange rates. With Wise, you will always be converting your money with the fairest exchange rate around - the mid-market exchange rate.
Sources used for this article:
- BLS International - passport renewal application guidance
- BLS International contact information
- Embassy of the Philippines appointments page
- Embassy of the Philippines contact information
- Embassy of the Philippines passport application guidance
- BLS PaRC fees
- Embassy of the Philippines consular fees
Sources checked on 25.07.2022.
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