As travelers, the last thing we want is for our passports to be lost or damaged. But what if we suddenly need to return to the Philippines… for medical reasons, or if a loved one has passed away, for example? Is it possible to travel without our passport?
To answer this question: yes. In emergency cases, you can go to the Philippines using a “Travel Document.” It is issued by embassies or consulates abroad to Filipinos who urgently need to return to the Philippines, but don’t have time to renew or replace their passport. In Taiwan, the Travel Document is issued by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), the Philippines’ representative office in the country.
Guide to Getting a Travel Document from MECO
A Travel Document enables a Filipino abroad to travel to the Philippines in case his/her passport has been lost, damaged, or expired, and there’s no time to wait for a replacement. It is only issued in cases where emergency travel is necessary — due to medical reasons, legal reasons, or a death in the family.
The Travel Document is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance. For Filipinos in Taiwan, they can apply for this document at the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO).
Requirements
Based on the official website of MECO, the requirements for getting a Travel Document are as follows:
For Filipino Citizens (Adults)
- Personal appearance of the applicant;
- Duly accomplished Travel Document Form;
- Duly accomplished Affidavit Form;
- Two (2) pieces of recent passport-sized photos (white background, colored, without eyeglasses or earrings); and
- Other documents such as PSA Birth Certificate, Philippine Government-issued IDs, Certification of Voluntary Departure (if applicable).
In case of lost passport:
- Photocopy of lost Philippine Passport’s data page (if available); and
- Copy of Report on the Passport Lost/Recovered issued by the Taiwan National Immigration Agency (NIA) (must be in English).
For Filipino Infants Born in Taiwan
- Personal appearance of the mother;
- Duly accomplished Travel Document Form;
- Duly accomplished Affidavit Form;
- Two (2) pieces of recent passport-sized photos (white background, colored, without eyeglasses or earrings);
- Original and photocopy of MECO Authenticated Birth Certificate;
- Original and photocopy of Report of Birth and/or Affidavit of Admission of Paternity (if available); and
- Original and photocopy of Passport or Travel Document of the mother.
NOTE: All original supporting documents will be returned to the applicant after checking and verification.
Procedure
Once all the necessary documents have been gathered, the applicant can proceed to the MECO office, be it the main office in Taipei, or the extension office in Taichung and Kaohsiung. Keep in mind that personal appearance is required for adult applicants, or if he/she is applying on behalf of a minor child.
At the office, the applicant’s documents will be checked and verified. He/She will also have to pay the following fees:
- Travel Document – TWD 900
- Affidavit of Loss – TWD 700 (for OFWs) / TWD 1,000 (for non-OFWs)
- Expedite – TWD 200
The processing period for the Travel Document is around three (3) working days, including the submission date. As soon as the Travel Document is issued, it is valid for 30 days, during which the applicant must return to the Philippines.
Reminders
Meanwhile, here are some important reminders about the Travel Document:
- When obtaining a Travel Document, proof of urgency is required, such as a medical certificate or death certificate.
- The Travel Document may only be used once; it cannot be used for going to other countries aside from the Philippines.
- After returning to the Philippines, the applicant must surrender the Travel Document to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Aseana office in Pasay City, Metro Manila. This is a necessary step before they can apply for a new Philippine passport.
Contact Information: MECO Taipei
If you have any queries about getting a Travel Document, you can get in touch with the MECO office through these contact details:
Address: 2F, Chang Hong New Era Building, 55 & 57 Zhouzi St., Neihu District, Taipei, Taiwan
Telephone: +886 2 2658 8825
Website: https://www.meco.org.tw/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MECO.official
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