PH Embassy in Oslo Now Offers Cashless Transactions

The Embassy’s point of sale terminal is being prepared for the transaction by Collecting Officer Iris Amat (rightmost), as (from left) Finance Officer Efren Rafol and Consul General Johann Veronica Andal look on. (Oslo PE photo)

OSLO, 03 May 2023 – In line with improving its consular services for the public, the Philippine Embassy in Oslo launched its facility for cashless transactions using a point-of-sale terminal on 02 May 2023.  

Apart from paying through cash, consular clients transacting at the Embassy’s consular section can now pay for their transactions using their BankAxept debit cards.  

The first client to avail of the new service is Filipino national Imelda Abando Maramba, who paid with her debit card for her documents for notarization.  Her transaction was witnessed by Finance Officer Efren Rafol, Collecting Officer Iris Amat, and Consul General Johann Veronica Andal.

“Here in Norway, cashless transactions are generally the norm, so our nationals are used to not carrying cash around.  This poses a challenge for them when they pay for their transactions at the Embassy, as they end up inconvenienced as they need to go out and withdraw from an ATM, which can be a considerable distance especially during wintertime,” Philippine Ambassador to Norway Enrico T. Fos said.

“This initiative of allowing for cashless transactions is in line with our commitment to improve our consular services to our kababayan, and is very timely as we celebrate 75 years of bilateral relations with Norway,” he added.  

The Embassy in Oslo is one of the first Philippine foreign service posts which now offers cashless transactions for its consular services.

Earlier, and due to the lifting of restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Embassy announced that except for passport applications and dual citizenship applications, all consular services can be availed without securing an appointment.  It also posts regular consular updates on its website and social media pages. END

Filipina national Imelda Abando Maramba (third from right) transacts for her documents for notarization using the Embassy’s point of sale terminal.  Also in the photo are her mother and daughter. (Oslo PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.oslope.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.facebook.com/PHinNorway/, or https://www.instagram.com/phinnorway/.