Table of Contents
- What is a passport?
- What is the difference between a passport and VISA?
- How to apply for a passport?
- How to submit an e-form?
- Where to report my queries regarding passport application?
- FAQs
What is a passport?
A passport is an identity proof issued by the Government of the respective countries from which the citizen belongs. It is mandatory for a traveller who wants to travel to a different country. A passport will tell you about your identity, citizenship, date of birth, address, and photo. In India, the Ministry of External Affairs issues them to its citizens.
The Ministry of External Affairs provides services through the Central Passport Organization (CPO) and its network of passport offices like Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK). The rank of a passport determines its powers. One can check the passport rank of their country here https://www.passportindex.org/byRank.php. This rank helps citizens to travel with or without a VISA in various countries.
What is the difference between a passport and VISA?
A passport is an official document that shows a person’s real identity and details. It serves as proof of identity, address, date of birth, and nationality whenever someone travels outside the country.
There are three types of passports issued by the Government of India-
- Ordinary passport
- Diplomatic passport
- Official passport
A VISA is a permissible document offered to a citizen from another country where he wants to travel. It is a temporary authorization for a person who wants to travel to another country, regardless of whether they possess a passport or not. VISA is either stamped on the first page of the passport or given as a separate document.
These are the categories in which VISA gets allotted:-
- Student VISA
- Transit VISA
- Tourist VISA
- Business VISA
- Temporary worker VISA
How to apply for a passport?
Online method – Apply For Passport Online
Step 1:- Visit the online Passport Seva Online Portal here https://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/welcomeLink and click on the new user registration that shows on the left side of your screen.
Step 2:- Fill up your details and click on register.
Step 3:- If you are an existing user, log in with the password on the portal here https://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/welcomeLink.
Step 4:– Fill up the details regarding which type of passport you want. Schedule the appointment at your nearest PSK or POPSK for document verification.
Step 5:- Pay the fees online using credit/debit cards or using offline challan. The online payment updates at once on the site, while the offline challan will take two to three days to update.
Step 6:- Print your application with the help of the Application Reference Number.
Step 7:- Visit the Passport Office you have selected while filling the form with your original documents for verification.
One can apply for the Background Verification for Global Entry Program (GEP) by following the same steps mentioned above. Choose the option “Apply for Background for GEP” after you log in to the passport portal.
Offline method – Apply for Passport Offline
Step 1:- One has to download the type of passport they want from here. https://passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/online/printForm.
Step 2:- Reach your nearest District or Regional Passport Office or the nearest Post Office Passport Seva Kendra with all the original documents, photocopies of the documents, and photographs.
Step 3:- Pay the fees to the counter as directed by the staff authorities and wait for the passport to come via post.
How to submit an e-form?
Step 1:- Download the e-form that you want from here https://passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/online/downloadEFormStatic.
Step 2:- Fill the form and click on the ‘validate and save’ button. That will save your file in XML format.
Step 3:- Register on the online portal of the Passport Seva Kendra. Login with your details.
Step 4:- Upload the XML file through the ‘Upload form link. Do not upload any different format as the system will not accept any other format besides XML.
Step 5:- Pay and Schedule your appointment to the nearest PSK or POPSK.
Step 6:- Print your application form and visit the nearest PSK or POPSK with all the required original documents for verification.
Where to report my queries regarding passport application?
To inquire regarding passport application, call 18002581800 to check the status of the application, or check here https://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/statusTracker/trackStatusInpNew.
To register a grievance or feedback, submit the details here https://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/ccgm/ServiceRequestHomeAction. One needs to have all the information (applicant’s name, reference number, etc.) and PSK details in order to register the complaint.
To view the status of your grievance, check this site https://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/ccgm/trackServiceRequest
One can submit grievances to the PG Portal here https://pgportal.gov.in/.
FAQs
Does Tatkal passport have any benefits?
There is no other benefit of a Tatkal passport besides that it will reach your doorstep within 2-3 days. The person, who wants an urgent passport or wants the verification to happen at the earliest, can opt for this method.
From where can I print my application or any other forms?
One needs to have an Application Reference Number to print the application form here https://passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/online/printForm.
What are the documents required for passport verification?
One can check the list of documents required for their passport, depending upon their conditions here https://passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/docAdvisor/displayAttachmentsTest.
How long does it take to get a passport?
After the authorities receive your documents, in a maximum of 30 days, your passport gets generated. It gets delivered via post to your doorstep.
What is the validity of a passport?
For adults, the passport is valid for up to 10 years. For minors, the passport’s validity is restricted to five years or till they turn 18, whichever comes earlier.
Can I re-apply for the passport again?
One can re-apply for the passport within a year from the date of expiry of the application. There may be genuine reasons due to which the applicant is not able to renew the passport. There is no need to worry about it. Visit the authorities, and they will assist you.
Can I make changes to my passport application?
One needs to contact the Citizen Service Executive of the Passport Seva Kendra or the Post Office Passport Seva Kendra for the update process.
Can I apply for the passport from the passport office?
Visit the Passport Seva Kendra or the Post Office Passport Seva Kendra compulsorily to get the passport. The office does not make any passports.
One can find all the FAQs related to passports here https://passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/online/faqMainPage.
If you are facing any Travel complaint and looking for a replacement, refund, and compensation from the seller or the company then File a complaint now!