Manila: Filipinos aspiring to be diplomats may start submitting their applications for the 2027 Foreign Service Officer Examinations (FSOE) on Sept. 16. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it will open the application window for the anticipated test between Sept. 16 and Oct. 30.

According to Philippines News Agency, applicants who will pass the series of examinations, beginning with the qualifying test on Jan. 24, 2027, will be eligible for the position of Foreign Service Officer (FSO), Class IV. The duties of an FSO include gathering information, analyzing and reporting on political, economic, technological, cultural, and other events and developments; drafting diplomatic notes and other forms of diplomatic correspondence; preparing briefing papers and other foreign policy papers for the DFA and other government agencies.

Filipino diplomats also assist in preparing and conducting international conferences; manage and supervise personnel; undertake negotiations; and assist Filipinos abroad, among other duties. To qualify for the exam, an applicant must be a natural-born Filipino citizen, a graduate with a bachelor's degree, and have a minimum of two years of work experience after graduating from college.

The exam consists of four stages: qualifying test, written test, psychological test, and oral test. Application forms can be downloaded from DFA's website at https://dfa.gov.ph/fsoexams and must be submitted at any DFA consular office within and outside Metro Manila, as well as at Philippine embassies, consulates, or missions abroad, on or before Oct. 30, 2026.