Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Passport

PASSPORT (source:http://us.makemytrip.com/travelbag/passport.htm dt:18aug.2015)


A passport is a must when you plan to travel out of your country of residence. It is an identity card that endorses your legitimate citizenship. Without a valid passport, you will not be allowed to enter any country. 

First time applicant


Application form is available from the Passport Office (for Rs.10) or the Head Post Office (at same charges). Photocopy of the form is not accepted. 

For Online Registration, the applicant has to submit the print outs of the application form along with required documents to the respective passport office in the appointment date and time printed. Apart from this Passport Applications can be submitted at:

The counter of the Passport office
The Speed Post centers
District Passport Cells
Passport Collection Centers


An application for a passport may be submitted personally OR through a representative carrying an authority letter. 

Documents required:

1. Proof of residence (Attested photo copy):
Ration card
Voters' identity card
Utility bills - water tax bill or telephone bill or electricity bill
Running bank account or income tax assessment order of last three years
Appointment letter of reputed companies on letterhead
Certificate from Tehsildar or Gram Panchayat/ Sarpanch as proof of residence in a village

2. Proof of date of birth and educational qualifications - any one of the following (Attested photo copy): 

Birth certificate
School certificate
In case of illiterate/ semi-literate persons a sworn affidavit is to be attested by a Magistrate, Tehsildar or Sarpanch as per specimen given in the form.

3. Six photographs (black & white or color)

Furnish 7 identical photographs (black & white or color) , Size 35mm x 35 mm
Frontal view of full face against a light background; photos taken with colored or dark glasses and in uniform are not acceptable
4 photographs pasted on the form and signed across partly on the photo and partly on the form and 2 photographs unsigned to be pasted on page 5 of the application form and one unsigned photograph on the Passport Application Registration Form
Note : All self-attested copies of certificates/documents would be checked against originals at the Passport Office at the time of submission of application.
Copies of certificates/documents sent by post should be attested by a Gazetted Officer. 

Tatkaal Passport


To obtain a passport under the Tatkaal Scheme, a Specimen Verification Certificate and standard affidavit should be submitted along with the Tatkaal fee. All applicants seeking a passport out of turn under the Tatkaal Scheme should submit their application, documentation, color photographs with white or light background with a specific fee. No proof of urgency is required for Out-of-Turn issue of passport. Post Police Verification shall be done in respect of all passports issued under the Tatkaal Scheme.

You can also obtain a passport under Tatkaal Scheme on submission of three documents from the 14 documents mentioned below, provided one of the three documents is a photo identity document and at least one of the three is amongst the documents indicated at (a) to (i). In addition, you need to submit a standard affidavit (Annexure “I”) on non-judicial stamp paper duly attested by a Notary:

Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC)
Service Identity Card issued by State/Central Government, Public Sector Undertakings, local bodies or Public Limited Companies
SC/ST/ OBC Certificates
Freedom Fighter Identity Cards
Arms Licenses
Property Documents such as Pattas, Registered Deeds etc.
Rations Cards
Pension Documents such as ex-servicemen’s Pension Book/Pension Payment order, ex-servicemen’s Widow/Dependent Certificates, Old Age Pension Order and Widow Pension Order
Railway Identity Cards
Income Tax Identity (PAN) Cards
Bank/ Kisan/Post Office Passbooks
Identity Cards issued by Recognized Educational Institutions
Driving Licenses
Birth Certificates issued under the RBD Act

(All above documents to be produced in original along with self-attested copies)


Passport for Minors
 


It is mandatory to have a separate passport for minors including infants. A number of foreign embassies/consulates are refusing to grant visas if minor's name is included in the parents' passport. 

Apply with the following additional documents: 

Fresh application form
Proof of residence: Same as for an adult applicant, as detailed above, except that proof of residence of any one of the parents or guardian is acceptable. (Self-attestation by any one of the parents or guardian will do).
Proof of date of birth: Two self-attested photocopies of birth certificate issued by a municipal authority or district office of the Registrar of Births & Deaths, if born after January 26, 1989 or date of birth certificate from the school last attended or affidavit sworn before a magistrate/notary as per specimen in respect of illiterate applicants.
An additional set of 'Personal Particulars Form' for each place of residence with a photograph and two self-attested copies of supporting documents, if a minor has not continuously stayed at the present address for the last one year.
Seven identical photographs in black and white or color - four pasted on the application in the boxes provided, two pasted on page 5 without signatures and one unsigned on the Passport Application Registration Form (PARF). (Thumb impression will do in case a minor is unable to sign).
A demand draft (DD) payable to the Regional Passport Office or Passport Office concerned for an amount prescribed.
Two self-attested photocopies of a valid passport, if any, of both parents incorporating their present marital status or two self-attested photocopies of a valid passport of any one of the parents.
Two self-attested photocopies of first four pages and last four pages of passport of any one of the parents for ECNR (Emigration Check Not Required) endorsement on a passport.
Affidavit (one original and one self-attested photocopy), as per specimen, by a legal guardian only if parents are not legal guardians.
Affidavit (one original and one self-attested photocopy), as per specimen, by two responsible persons who know the legal guardian as well as minor.
Affidavit (one original and one self-attested photocopy), as per specimen, in the case of a single parent.
Affidavit (one original and one self-attested photocopy), as per specimen, in the case of parents who are separated but not formally divorced.
A sworn affidavit (one original and one self-attested photocopy), duly attested by an Indian Embassy/Consulate, in the case of parents residing outside India.

Note: In the normal course, the signature/consent of both parents may be taken for issue of a passport to the minor. However, if in case the applicant parent is not in a position to get the consent of the other parent, for whatever reason, the parent applying for the passport of the minor may sign the form and submit a sworn affidavit (as per the prescribed format) stating the facts and circumstances of the case along with the application. The affidavit should also state that in case of a court case he/she would be responsible and not the passport office. In such cases where only one parent applies, in case of any doubt the Passport Office may request for the physical presence of the child to ensure that the applicant parent has the actual custody of the child.



Emigration Check Not Required Stamp

 

India decided to do away with the Emigration Clearance Requirement Suspension (ECRS) norm for Emigration Check Required (ECR) passport holder’s travelling abroad in 2007. 

Following persons are entitled to get the ECNR stamp on their passports: 

Gazetted Government Servants
Income-tax payees
Persons holding professional degrees
Persons staying abroad for more than 3 years
Spouses of the above mentioned categories
Persons holding graduation or higher degrees
Seamen in possession of Continuous Discharge Certificate and Sea Cadets and Deck Cadets
Persons who have passed final examination of three year B.Sc. Nautical Sciences Courses at T.S. Chanakya, Mumbai, or who have undergone three months Pre-Sea training at any of the Government approved Training Institutes after production of Identity Cards issued by the Shipping Master, Mumbai/Calcutta/Chennai
Persons holding permanent Immigration Visas, of any country e.g. Green Card in USA
Persons holding diplomas from recognized institutions like Polytechnics or certificates of vocational training from Government/recognized institutions. The Diploma/ Certificate should be for a minimum duration of two year course.
Nurses possessing qualifications recognized under the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947
Dependent children of parents eligible for ECNR, as above (up to 24 years of age)
All persons above the age of 60 years
All visitors to Pakistan and Bangladesh
All visitors going to any country in Europe (except the Commonwealth of Independent States) or North America, Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

Countries for which emigration clearance is still required include the Gulf countries, Malaysia, Syria, Jordan, Afghanistan, Thailand, Indonesia, Iraq, Brunei, Yemen, Sudan, Lebanon and Libya.

Emigration Clearance Rules


All visitors going to any country in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Europe (except the Commonwealth of Independent States), North America, Australia, Japan and New Zealand.
In any case, Protector of Emigrants can grant emigration clearance to certain categories of skilled/semi-skilled workers for a period of six months if application is made through authorized recruiting agent and there is a valid employment visa.
In case the person concerned is leaving the country for non-employment purposes, he can obtain suspension from emigration clearance for the specified country and for the specified period from Protector of Emigrants.


Fees

The following is the all-inclusive fee to be paid along with application form either by bank draft in favor of Passport Officer, or in cash:
Fresh passport (36 pages) of 10 years validityRs. 1000/-
Fresh passport (60 pages) of 10 years validityRs. 1500/-
Fresh passport for minor (below 15 years) of 5 years validityRs. 600/-
Passport against lost/ damaged passport (36 pages)Rs.2500/-
Passport against lost/ damaged passport (60 pages)Rs.3000/-
India - Bangladesh or India-Sri Lanka passport (validity 10 years)Rs.500/-

Miscellaneous Services

Additional Booklet (36 pages)Rs. 500/-
Additional Booklet (60 pages)Rs. 700/-
Changes of address/ Police clearance certificate/ Deletion of
particular of children/ ECNR/ Additional endorsements
Rs. 300/-
Miscellaneous service on an India-Bangladesh or India-Sri Lanka passportRs. 100/-

In case of bank draft, full name of the applicant should be written on the reverse of the bank draft.

Under 'Tatkal Scheme' on out-of-turn basis:

1. In case of issue of fresh passport

Within 10 days of applicationRs. 1500/-
Within 11-35 days of applicationRs. 1000/-
2. In case of Duplicate Passport
Within 10 days of applicationRs. 2500/-
Within 11-35 days of applicationRs. 1500/-
3.In case of reissue after expiry of final validity 
Within 10 days of applicationRs. 1500/-
Within 11-35 days of applicationRs. 1000/-
4. In case of additional booklet 
Within 10 days of applicationRs.1500/-
In case fee is paid by means of bank draft, full name of the applicant should be written on the reverse of the bank draft. Fee may be paid either by bank draft of a nationalized bank in favor of the Passport Officer concerned or in cash at the counter of the Passport Office. Applicants depositing forms at places other than passport offices need to pay the prescribed fee only by way of a demand draft in favor of the Passport Office concerned.


Original Documents

It is obligatory to produce the original documents for verification in case so required by the Passport Office.


Time frame for issue of Passports
 
If all your documents are in order, you should get your fresh passport in 12 weeks.
If you already hold a passport then your next passport should be re-issued in 1 week provided holding passport of same jurisdiction.
In case of damaged/ lost passports (except in case of habitual losers), provided you apply to the same office which issued your original passport, you should get passport in about 5 weeks.
If you have applied for a duplicate passport to an office other than the one which issue the passport you have lost or damaged, you should get your passport in 6 weeks.
If you have applied for an additional booklet for a passport issued by the same passport office then you should get your passport within 2 weeks.
For issue of passports to minors (less than 15 years) passport would be issued in 2 weeks.
However, in case of emergency, the Passport Officer can expedite the issue of passport.


Delivery of Passports
Passports are normally delivered only to the applicant or dispatched by registered post to the applicant's present address as given in the application form.
In case a passport has already been granted, in the normal course, the applicant may approach the Passport Office for counter delivery. Such passports can then be delivered at the counter.


Loss of Passport


To apply for a duplicate passport:
Please inform police station and obtain a copy of the FIR
Also inform the Passport Officer or Indian Embassy/Consulate that issued that passport. Passport is a valuable document and in case it gets misused, you can be held responsible, if you have not informed the police as well as the passport issuing authority
Apply for a duplicate passport with:
Copy of the FIR
Affidavit (specimen at Annexure 'B' of the passport form)
Copy of lost passport, if available
Fee Rs.2500/-

Damaged Passport 


Requirements
Application for a damaged passport
Damaged passport
Affidavit (specimen at Annexure 'B' of the application form)
Fee Rs.2500/-


Expired Passport


Apply for re-issue: 

If you are a holder of a passport, then you are entitled to an automatic re-issue of a passport, without prior police verification provided the original passport was issued from the same Passport Office. You can apply one year before the passport expires or within 5 years after it expires to obtain this expeditious service.

Apply with the following documents: 

Fresh application form
Old passport (in original) and two self-attested photocopies of the first four and last four pages
Proof of Address: Two self-attested photocopies either of your ration card or appointment letter of reputed companies on letter head or water tax or telephone bill or electricity bill or running bank account or Income Tax Assessment order or Election Commission ID Card.
If you have not continuously stayed at the present address for the last one year, an additional set of 'Personal Particulars Form' for each place of residence with a photograph and two self-attested copies of supporting documents.
Seven identical photographs in black and white or color - 4 photographs pasted on the form and signed across partly on the photo and partly on the form and 2 photographs unsigned to be pasted on page 5 of the application form and one unsigned photograph on the Passport Application Registration Form.
A demand draft (DD) payable to the Regional Passport Office or Passport Office concerned for an amount prescribed.
If you are eligible for ECNR, two self-attested photocopies of any one of the supporting documents (details given above).
If you have changed your name due to marriage, two self-attested photocopies of husband's passport, if any, or an affidavit (original and one self-attested photocopy) from the husband and wife along with a joint photograph, as per specimen.
If you have changed name due to other circumstances, deed/sworn affidavit (original and one self-attested photocopy), as per specimen, and a paper cutting (original and one self-attested photocopy) each of two leading daily newspapers, where change of name has been publicized.
If you have ever been repatriated at government cost and since refunded the amount to the government, two self-attested photocopies of the refund receipt.
If you have ever been deported to India, two self-attested photocopies of documents.

Options in terms of validity and size of the booklet:

You can either apply for a 36-paged normal passport booklet; Fees: Rs.1000/- for 10 years; or a 60-paged jumbo passport booklet Fees: Rs.1500/- for 10 years. For children below 15 years, Rs.600 for a 36 page 5 year validity passport. The passport fee is subject to revision, so please check the amount at the time of submission of application.

Miscellaneous services


Change of name



If you change your name, please get your passport booklet changed. Please approach the passport issuing authority concerned in good time.

Apply with the following documents:
Fresh application form
If you have changed name due to marriage, a self-attested photocopy of husband's passport, if any, or an affidavit from the husband and wife along with a joint photograph, as per prescribed format
If you are a divorcee or asking for deletion of spouse's name in the existing passport, deed/sworn affidavit, as per prescribed format, or divorce deed, duly authenticated by a court.
If you are remarried and asking for a change of name/change of spouse's name in the existing passport, a self-attested photocopy of divorce deed or death certificate as the case may be in respect of first spouse or documents as above.
If you have changed name due to other circumstances, deed/sworn affidavit, as per prescribed format, and a paper cutting (original and one self-attested photocopy) each of two leading daily newspapers, where change of name has been published.

Change of address



For the following cases:
If you already have a passport and want to change the address recorded in it, approach your nearest passport office and apply for the same on Miscellaneous Services Application from with a fee of Rs.100/- and proof of new address.
If you have applied for a passport but before the same is issued, you have shifted your residence, you should inform in writing to the Passport Office within whose jurisdiction your new address falls. To request the transfer of your file to the new Passport Office, the latter has to be given a written notice that you have submitted an application for a Passport at the previous Passport Office (with application numbers etc.). Proof of your new address is also required. No fee required to be paid in this case.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

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Anonymous said...

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