Indian Passport renewal is a process of getting the passport in valid condition. The passport booklets can be of two types, 30 pages booklet and 60 pages booklet. Both of these booklets have different costs. The 60 pages booklet is suitable for frequent travellers so that the passport won’t run out of pages soon. In India, the validity of passports is limited to 10 years only. Once this time period passes, the passports are no longer valid.
Therefore, the need to renew the old passport arises. It is important to keep a passport ready, as it might come handy for various identification purposes, travelling necessity and address proof. For travellers, it is a lifeline. Keeping it in valid condition which is always timely renewed is important. Any domestic or international trip can’t be completed without this basic piece of documentation.
Difference between passport Renewal and passport Reissue
Many people are highly confused between these two basic terms. The passport renewal is different from passport reissuing. Renewal is a process to increase the validity of a passport in case of expiration. On the other hand, passport reissue is done in cases of lost passport, damaged passport and so on.
The cases of passport reissue are as follows
- If a passport is lost or stolen.
- In the case of exhaustion of a total number of pages in passport booklet.
- In case of the damaged condition of passport.
- In case of error in the personal information provided in the passport.
- In case of soiled pages of the passport.
Another key difference between the renewal and reissue of passport is, the renewed passport is usually the old passport with increased validity. However, in case of reissuing a passport an altogether new passport is issued to the individual.
Click here – Why Netflix is so popular all over the world?
Answers to some frequently asked queries
- In the case of the renewal process, the original documents must be taken with the candidate for verification purposes. However, the original documents are not submitted in the passport Seva Kendra.
- It is allowed to apply for passport renewal, a year prior to the actual expiry date of the current passport.
Some facts:
- India as a country does not allow dual citizenship. This stands as a fact that if a person applies for citizenship in any other country, they lose the right to hold an Indian passport or any other identity or citizenship proof that belong to India.
- In some special cases, travelling document is issued by the Indian government allowing a citizen to hold two passports but for a temporary, short duration of time. For example, a person holding a normal passport may apply for other types of passports such as diplomatic passports.
- The Indian passports are very simple in design. Holding only a watermark as an identification sign. They lack any kind of holographic signs like other countries.
- For travelling to Nepal and Bhutan, Indian citizens don’t require any passport. It’s a passport free visit.
- There are an of 19 countries that allow Indian citizens, without the need for a visa. These countries include Hong Kong, Maldives, Mauritius, Cambodia etc.
Documents for Passport Renewal
A passport is an official document that allows its holders international travels. According to The Passport Act, 1967, the passport also proves the person’s national identity as an Indian citizen. the passport contains important details such as- full name of the individual, sex and age of the individual, country code, passport number, date and place of birth, date and place of issue etc. Once the process is completed, it takes approximately 30 days for receiving the renewed passport. The Indian passport has a validity of 10 years. Once the validity period expires, the passport shall be renewed.
Documents required for passport renewal
Passport renewal is a simple process if followed carefully with accurate details. A list of important documents required at the time of passport renewal is as follows –
- The original passport which has expired.
- The print out of online application form which carries the Application Reference Number (APN).
- Residential proof that can be a gas bill, electricity bill, telephone or water bill.
- The ration card along with the mention of permanent address.
- A national identity card that can be a voter ID card or an Aadhar card.
In case the permanent address has changed and is not the same as it was in the expired passport, the applicant will have to submit a copy of the first page, last page and the ECNR page of the expired passport, which is to be self-attested. Along with this, the applicant will have to submit a residential proof of the new address which can be either of the options, as mentioned above.
Fee details
The fee of passport renewal is different, depending upon the number of pages included in the passport booklet. For a renewed passport with 36-page booklet, the amount to be paid is Rs. 1,500, while for a 60-page booklet the fee is Rs.2,000. Reissuing the passport for a minor between the age of 15-18 years, the fee is Rs. 1,000 for the 36-page booklet and a 60-page booklet is not applicable. A passport for a minor in such a case is valid until he/she reaches the age of 18 years, after which it needs to be renewed. For a minor passport of age between 16-18 years with 10-year validity, the fee for the 36-page booklet is Rs.1,500 and for the 60-page booklet, it is Rs.2,000.
Facts about passport renewal in India
- According to the Ministry of External Affairs of India, by the end of 2015, it is said that approximately 65 million Indians had possession of valid passports. As of 2017, the number had increased to 74 million.
- With the alliance of the Indian government with the TCS – Tata Consultancy Services ( a 10-year contract in 2008) an increment by 69% has been observed in the number of passports issued to the Indian citizens, in 2012.
- In 2013, as per the Ministry of External Affairs of India, almost 24% of normal passports had been issued to the applicants, within just 3 days after the application had been submitted. In 2017, this percentile increased to 82%.
- In 2017, with a rough calculation, it has been claimed that TCS, which charges around Rs. 200 for its passport services per applicant, would have gained approximately Rs. 2.6 billion by providing passport services to Indian citizens.
For Uk Immigration Information, Uk work Permits Or Uk Visa Please Click here
Click here – Top 5 Bluetooth Speakers and Soundbars for Home theater
