PASSPORT RENEWAL: Indian passport And Validity, Passport renewal prosses

Introduction:

With the rapid economic progress in the country, many Indians now frequently travel to other countries for business, leisure, studies, medical treatment or medical benefit, & other purposes. A Passport is a necessary travel document that’s required by anyone wishing to travel to a foreign country. It’s not necessary that you need to apply for a passport only if you are abroad traveling; it also serves as an essential id & address proof.

Indian passport and validity

An Indian passport is valid only for ten (10) years from the date of issue. The date of issue & expiry of the passport is explicitly mentioned in the passport. An Indian passport can have 36/ 60 pages. Types of passports that may be applied for in India: –

• Regular Passport
• Diplomatic Passport
• Official Passport

Having a passport doesn’t guarantee entry into another country but is a pre-requisite for visiting a foreign country.

To continue availing of the benefits of a passport, you have to make sure that your passport renewal is done after ten (10) years/expiration of its valid. With the help of the Passport Seva Portal (PSP), you can now conveniently perform all the tasks related to your passport application, online.

Documents required for passport renewal

The documents required for a passport renewal are: –

• Original/Old Passport
• Copy of the first two and last two pages of the passport (Self-attested)
• Copy of the ECR/ECNR page of the passport (Self-attested)
• Copy of page of Observation, if any. (Self-attested)
• Copy of the validity extension page, if any. (Self-attested)

Passport Renewal Process

If your valid passport has expired, then you must renew it before you can use it again. In India, there are two (2) modes of applying for passport renewal – online & offline.

If you wish to submit your passport application online, you first need to register for a passport login. Once you have successfully registered on the Passport Seva Portal (PSP); you can complete many tasks related to your passport effortlessly.

Passport Login Registration

• Here are the steps that you need to follow to complete your registration on the Passport Seva Portal (PSP)
• Visit the official Passports Seva web site at https://portal1.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/welcomeLink/
• Click on the link “New User? Register Now.”
• Now, choose your respective passport office (nearest to your city)
• Enter your personal details as requested on the screen.
• Create your login identity & password as per the terms & conditions of the website.
• Select your hint question & answer to retrieve your account if details are lost.
• Click on the button “Register.”
• Now, you’ll receive an activation link in your email. Activate your account click here.
• Your account is now activated, & you can now proceed ahead with your passport renewal application.
• Once you have successfully registered on the Passport Seva Online Portal (PSOP), you can now proceed ahead with your renewal of passport application online.

Login for applying for a fresh passport / re-issue of passport

• Here are the steps that you need to follow to submit your passport application for renewal through Passport Login: –
• Click on the link “Existing User? Login”.
• Now, you click on the link “Apply for a fresh passport”
• Provide the details that are required including your details as well as the details of the passport that is to be renewed.
• Cross-check all the details before submitting the form as these details can’t be changed manually, & you might need to apply from scratch if there are any errors.
• Complete the online payment method through any of the accepted modes of payment.
• If you do not have access to internet banking, debit card/credit card, you can print an offline challan & make the payment at the SBI (State Bank of India) Branch. It’ll take up to two (2) days for the bank to verify your payment.
• If you do not have a printer, you can show the SMS that you have received as proof of appointment when you visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) / the passport office.
• Make sure that you visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) / the passport office on the designated date & at the designated time.
• Points to note while visiting the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)

Here are some points that you need to remember when you visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Passport office for your appointment: –

• Take all your documents along with an extra copy.
• Reach the center at least 15 minutes before your designated time.
• Follow the instructions and guidelines prescribed by the officer to complete the process.

Once your application has been accepted, you shall receive your passport at your address within a few operating days. You can always use your Passport Login details & track the status of your passport application online (PAO).