Passport There are official documents that act as proof of citizenship and permit international travel. This document is required for those who are traveling abroad for education, tourism, pilgrimage, business and other reasons. In addition to providing proof of identity and nationality, a passport can also serve as a proof of address and date of birth and can be used for other official purposes. Here we will discuss different types of passports, documents required and steps to follow for regular application passport online,
different types of indian passports
Indian passports are usually valid for ten years and each passport mentions both the date of issue and the expiry date. On an average, a passport has 36 to 60 pages. There are three types of Indian passports available which are regular passport, diplomatic passport and official passport. However, not every citizen holding a passport is allowed to enter a foreign land. For that purpose, citizens are also required to apply for a visa to enter certain countries and are allowed to enter the country only after the visa is approved. In the meantime, it is important to keep your passport updated and online passport Portals have been started to make the work easier.
How to apply for passport online
Presently, Indian citizens have the option to apply for passport online and anyone can use this service by registering themselves on the Passport Seva online portal – https://portal1.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/welcomeLink/ could. Internet users need to visit this website and click on “New User Registration”. Then they have to choose their respective passport office and enter the required details. Then, users have to create a login ID and password and verify all the details by clicking on “Register”. Lastly, users need to activate their Passport Seva account through the activation link received by email.
Once the online portal account is activated, users will have to re-visit the above mentioned website and this time click on ‘Existing User Login’. Now follow the steps given below to apply for a new passport or renew an existing passport:
step 1: After logging in click on “Apply for New Passport / Apply for Re-Issuance of Passport”
step 2: Enter all required details for new passport and all old passport details if you are applying for renewal.
step 3: Submit those details (it is important to check the details minutely as they cannot be changed after submission)
step 4: Click on the option ‘view submitted applications’ and schedule an appointment
Step 5: Use online payment to pay the required amount (if you do not have internet banking you can also pay through challan at any SBI branch, however, it will take two days to verify the payment)
Step 6: Click on ‘Print Application Receipt’ to obtain a copy of the application and its reference number. (You can show the SMS here as a proof of appointment Passport Seva Kendra If you are not getting the printout)
Applicants need a list of required documents while applying for passport. These documents include – Birth Certificate, Transfer / School Leaving / Matriculation Certificate, Policy Bonds from Public Life Insurance Corporations / Companies, Aadhar Card / E-Aadhaar, Election Photo Identity Card, PAN Card and Address Proof. Some valid address proofs include – water, telephone or electricity bills, photo ID card of the Election Commission and proof of gas connection among others.
How to schedule an application appointment
Applicants can select the nearest Passport Seva Kendra on the Pay and Schedule Appointment page. Here they can choose a convenient slot and need to confirm the slot by entering the captcha code. Then, applicants have to pay and schedule an appointment after which the relevant details will be displayed on the page. Now, they can schedule an appointment by paying through the selected portal.
Usually, it takes up to eight working days for applicants to schedule an appointment at the nearest Passport Seva Kendra. It takes around three weeks for applicants to receive it once all the formalities are cleared. However, in the case of Immediately Passport, these documents are dispatched strictly within 3 business days.
What are e-passports?
The Government of India had announced these e-passports in 2019 and it is expected that they will be implemented soon. These e-passports are expected to be easy to read and will have thick front and back covers. The back cover of the e-Passport will also include a silicon chip that is likely to house 64KB of memory space. The fingerprint of the passport holder is expected to be stored in the chip and may have the capacity to store up to 30 visits. A US-government certified laboratory has already tested a prototype of such a passport. Once it comes into existence, e-passport has the potential to revolutionize travel by making it easier and more comfortable.
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