Ans: The applicant will need to fill a new application and submit it online. Make sure that they send the hard copy of the correct form when submitting it at BLS centre.

Ans: Applicant can apply for renewal of passport up till a year before its expiry. It is recommended to necessarily renew passport that has less than 6 months of validity.

However, a passport may be renewed irrespective of the date of expiry in case of one of the following reasons:

1. Change in personal particulars (name, address, change in spelling etc.
2. Change in appearance
3. Change in signature
4. Loss/damage of passport booklet

Ans: The Consulate grants no walk-in appointments. Applications are accepted only through BLS centres. Applicant has to submit hard copy of application with all relevant documents at the nearest BLS centre. The applicant can also send the application by post to BLS (please check BLS website for eligibility). Please see BLS website for information regarding BLS Centres, timings, and FEE rates & modes of payment

Walk in Service (only through online appointment at BLS website)

Ans: Applications are accepted only through BLS. The Consulate grants no in person appointments.

Ans: Issued passports can be collected from BLS Centre. The applicants can also opt for courier service to their home address.

Ans: All applications to be made to BLS centres only.

Ans: Applicants holding a study/work permit or PR:
Adults: 10 years
Minors: 5 years

Ans: Minors between 15-18 years of age can obtain passport of 10 years only under NORMAL category if they pay fee as applicable for adult applicants. If fee for a MINOR is paid the passport will be renewed for 5 years or till the date on which the applicant becomes an adult (whichever is earlier). Such applications cannot be accepted under TATKAL (TATKAL passports of minors will be restricted till the date on which applicant attains 18 years of age).

Ans: Normal passport booklet has 36 pages. Jumbo booklet with 60 pages can be obtained by paying extra applicable fee.

Ans: Applicant can only apply for renewal of passport under TATKAL category.

Ans: Applicant can only apply for 36 page booklet under TATKAL category.

Ans: The following cases are not eligible to apply for TATKAL passports:

1. Lost/Damaged passports
2. Implied status cases and cases where status has expired (PR/Work Permit/Study Permit/Visitor Permit)
3. For changes in personal particulars (including addition/deletion of spouse's name or parents' name)
4. Change in name / signature / appearance /sex / date of birth / place of birth
5. Renewal of short validity passport
6. If the applicant is adopted
7. Minors whose parents are separated/divorced.

Ans: A self-attested declaration on plain paper explaining the reason for late renewal.

Ans: To add spouse's name, applicant need to add the name in the online application and submit apostille marriage certificate.

Ans: Following documents are mandatorily required:

1. Annexure D signed by both parents (Or Indian court appointed guardian along with Indian court order or adoption deed)
2. Copy of passports of both the parents or guardian along with their residence card.
3. Declaration for change of Appearance for minors

Ans: Annexure F along with a Police Report clearly mentioning the lost passport details, are mandatorily required.

Ans: In case of lost passport, police report with all details of the lost passport is mandatory. The applicant needs to file a lost item incident with the local police. After this the police issues a Lost Item Report.

Ans: If the police have issued a lost item report of the passport, applicant is requested to not use the old passport and apply for a new passport.

Ans: Duly filled and signed Annexure F.

Ans: Usage of salutation or title like /Mrs./Ms./Late/Dr./Adv./ Eng etc. is not allowed. Submit the name in full.

Ans: Applicant needs to submit copy of their (parent’s) Indian passport with correct name. If the passport with the correct name is not available, they will need to first change it on their (parent’s) passport or have the name change published in Gazette of India.

Ans: As per extant rules, ALIAS/AKA cannot be a part of name on passport. Applicant will need to use either of the aliases as follows:

For any other variation, the applicant will need to undergo the procedure for name change.

Ans: Original Clippings of two (02) prominent INDIAN newspapers and at least two ID proof with the new name of the applicant [The original clipping should include the name, date and place of publication of the Newspaper];
OR,
Publication of the change of name in the Gazette Notification of India.

Ans: For change of surname due to Marriage / Remarriage only self-declaration on plain paper is required. In case of divorce, an applicant may revert to maiden name provided there is an old passport with her maiden name. In all other cases the applicant has to undergo the name change procedure as detailed above

Ans: For splitting name into first and surname, two government/public documents of India is required and Form Affidavit O
1. e.g. The following is permitted:

Ans: It is strongly advised that applicants do not make any travel arrangements before obtaining an Indian visa (except in case of Transit visa). The Embassy of India and BLS International cannot, in any circumstances, be held responsible for any applications which are not completed in time for your intended date of departure. Kindly note that obtaining a visa is not automatic; your visa application may be accepted, modified or refused by the Embassy of India in its full right.

Ans: Please note: the validity of a visa begins on the day it is issued by the Embassy of India and not on the date of departure.

Ans: Applicants can be granted a lesser duration if a lesser duration is written on the application form and/if the consular services decide to do so. In such cases, visa fees remain unchanged.