The OFW Electron Card (E-card) is an identification card issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) through its attached agencies, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). The card is a multi-function card containing information about the OFW which he will need in dealing with government institutions, locally and abroad.

Last August 11, 2009, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officially launched the Philippine ePassport.

In line with DFA's 111th Founding Day anniversary, DFA Secretary Alberto G. Romulo presented to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo the first Philippine ePassport.

President Arroyo’s ePassport bears the serial number EA0000001. To illustrate its features, the President scanned her ePassport on the passport reader which revealed her biometric information, digital signature and photograph.

Despite its advanced security features, the Philippine ePassport will be available for a fee of P950, making it one of the lowest-priced ePassports in the world.


Filipino passport applicants may still choose between the ePassport OR the machine readable passport (MRP) currently priced at P500.

The ePassport project is part of the DFA’s passport modernization program which started in 2007 with the launch of the machine readable passport. To date, about four million MRPs have been issued.

Initially, application for the ePassport will be on appointment basis. Full implementation of the project will take place in the next three months.

The e-passport’s microchip stores the passport holder’s photograph and other personal details for easy verification of identity and is fully inter-operable, meaning that the chip can be read by border officials in other countries using a passport chip reader.

The Philippine Electronic Passport (or Philippine ePassport) uses the digital image of the passport photograph that can be used with face recognition technology to verify the identity of the passport holder.

It captures the fingerprints of the passport holder, for identification using the Automated Fingerprint Verification System (AFIS).

It has 64-kilobyte microchip where the security features and personal data of the holder are stored, making it difficult for syndicates to commit passport fraud.

What are the special features of the Philippine ePassport?

The Philippine ePassport allows information stored on the chip to be verified with the information visually displayed on the passport.

It uses contactless microchip technology that allows the information stored on the chip to be read by special chip readers at a close distance.

It contains an integrated photograph of the holder, a digitized secondary photo, and an electronic print of the holder’s signature.

It contains overt and hidden security features such as Invisible Personal Information (IPI), letterscreen, microprinting, and UV reactive ink, among others.

Who can avail of the Philippine E-Passport?

The ePassport will initially be made available in limited number. Regular issuance will start sometime in October 2009 from whence all applicants who can comply with the documentary requirements may avail of the ePassport.

What other countries use ePassports?

ePassports are already being used in more than 60 countries worldwide. In ASEAN, five countries have already issued ePassports (Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia). In the future, all countries are seen to switch to the ePassport due to the increasing need for efficient and better border security.

How much does an ePassport cost?

The ePassport is available for P950. A passport applicant, however, may choose between the ePassport and the less expensive Machine Readable Passport, both compliant with ICAO standard.

Where can I apply for an ePassport?

The ePassport will be initially available at DFA Manila, to be followed by Philippine Embassies and consulates abroad and throughout the Philippines through DFA’s regional offices.

For more details about the new Philippine ePassport please visit DFA site here