Zen Thil: Indian Visa & Passport

Frequently asked questions

Q1. I am presently residing in UAE. I got my passport when I was on my Delhi address. Now I have shifted to Bangalore. Should I change my address in the passport? …. If change is required, what are the documents required and how much time will it take?

Ans. For this purpose, you need to fill up EAP-II and submit it along with valid proof of your residential address (the details are available in the Chapter 3). It is always advisable to have the correct and present address in the passport.

Q2. I don't have ECNR stamp in my Passport. Can I get it on the basis of my provisional matriculation or above certificate issued by the University/Board concerned?

Ans. We are no longer affixing ECNR stamp in passports. In fact it is not even printed in the new passport booklets. Currently, only ECR stamp is being put in passports if applicant is not eligible for ECNR. However, you are entitled to ECNR status if you possess qualification of Matriculation or above. Even you can get ECNR status on the basis of provisional matriculation certificate if the mark sheets of all semesters of your course are available with you. Further to get ECNR stamp, the applicant should have stayed abroad for more than 3 years excluding the period(s) of visit to India or should be a dependent who is below 18 years and whose parents have ECNR status in their passports or should be a person (he/she) whose spouse has ECNR status in his or her passport or should be above 50 years of age

Q3. I have downloaded the application form from your website. Can I fill it up & submit?

Ans. Yes.

Q4. I got my passport 2 years ago, but was married recently. Should I include my spouse's name in my passport? If so, what is the procedure?

Ans. It is better to include your spouse's name in your passport. For this, please fill up Form No.EAP-II and submit it along with marriage certificate, photocopy of spouse's passport (if she has one). Note : The procedure is the same if one wants to include the husband's name in the passport.

Q5. I have a one-month-old baby? Does the baby require a separate passport Or his/her name can be endorsed in one of the parents' passport?

Ans. Endorsement of child's name in parents' passports is not allowed anymore. As per the amended law, minors should have separate passports.

Q6.In case of a minor child passport, whose mother is in India and father in UAE, whether father should submit consent to mother to apply for a passport? If so, what is the procedure?

Ans. Yes. Consent of the spouse, who is abroad, is required for submitting the application. It should be in the form of a Sworn Affidavit duly attested by the Indian Embassy/Consulate abroad. For this you should visit Embassy or Consulate.

Q7. What is the difference between Re-issue and Renewal of a passport?

Ans. Passports are Re-issued after the expiry of their 10-year validity period. If you had been issued a Short Validity Passport (i.e. a passport of validity less than 10 years) apply for renewal to extend the normal validity of the existing passport to 10 years. In the case of Re-issue of passport a normal fee will be charged whereas for extending the validity (renewal) no fee is charged.

Q8. My passport expired 5 years ago. Can I renew it? What is the procedure for it?

Ans. In such a case, you have to fill up Application Form No.EAP-I and submit it along with original/photocopy of your expired passport and proof of your residence/address. However, since the passport expired 5 years ago, there is an elaborate procedure for re-issue. Prior approval of Consulate is required. Prior approval and sworn Affidavit for late submission.

Q9. What documents are required when there is a change in name on account of Divorce.

Ans. (i) Certified copy of Divorce Decree/Court order; or Divorce Certificate from Jama-at / Kazi etc, in accordance with Personal Law in respect of Muslims.

(ii) Deed Poll / Sworn Affidavit regarding change of name.

Q10. Is it mandatory to submit Birth Certificate in cases of those who are born on or after 26.01.1989.

Ans. Yes, Birth Certificate issued by Registrar of Births only is acceptable for those born on or after 26.01.1989.

Q11. In a case of a Muslim passport holder, whether entry of second wife name is allowed on passport.

Ans. Yes. But name of the first wife name will remain on the passport if divorce is not obtained.

Q12. Should fees be charged for miscellaneous services when a person applies for them at the same time as he applies for a new passport, either for the first time or on expiry of the previous passport?

Ans. No additional fee should be charged for various miscellaneous services such as change of name, change of address. ECNR stamp etc. when these services are applied for in conjunction with the application for a new passport. The fee for a new passport is a consolidated fee covering all these services.

Q13. What about Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) if it is applied for in conjunction with the application for a new passport? Should the charge for miscellaneous service be levied on this occasion?

Ans. Yes. Issue of PCC is a distinct miscellaneous service and does not form an integral part of the passport. The service should be applied for on a separate form EAP-11 and the relevant fee should be charged in addition to the fee for issue of fresh passports.

Q14. When should the miscellaneous service charge prescribed respectively under items 14 and 12 of Schedule IV to the Passport Rules be charged?

Ans. Miscellaneous services have been consolidated into those which do or do not require issue of a fresh passport booklet. Any miscellaneous service which requires a fresh booklet to be issued will be charged as per the new booklet charges. This would cover services involving change of entry on the laminated front and back (inner) covers of the passport, like change of name, change of photograph etc. This would also apply when an additional booklet is issued when pages of the old booklet are exhausted.
All other miscellaneous services on ordinary passports where only an endorsement on the passport is required, will be charged separately as per the prescribed fee.
EXCEPTION: - In the case of replacement of lost or damaged passport, involving issue of a new passport booklet, the fee will be charged separately

Q15. What is the fee to be charged in case of replacement of lost ( or damaged passport?

Ans. In case the lost or damaged passport's validity has not expired, the fee for issue of a duplicate passport is dhs.505. In case the lost or damaged passport's validity has already finally expired and a fresh passport is issued, the fee to be charged in such cases would be that as prescribed for a fresh passport only.

Q16.Can a legal guardian apply for the passport of the minor?

Ans. A Legal guardian can apply fpor the passport of a minor child provided he/she submits besides the standard documents, a certified copy of the court order appointing him/her as the legal guardian..

Q17.What is an Indian Visa?

An Indian visa is a stamp or endorsement placed by officials of India on a passport that allows the bearer to visit India. Indian Visas are obtained from the proper embassy or local the consulates of India for the purpose of the visit. "Visit" is further defined as the reason for entry, usually business, tourist or transitory.
There are over 270 countries that offer visas and literally thousands of different types of visas available based upon country, type of visit, and length of visit.

Q18.What is the difference between a passport and an Indian visa?

Ans. A passport is an official government document that certifies one's identity and citizenship. The passport serves two purposes: to regain entry to the country of citizenship and is a requirement by many countries to gain entry to the country you are visiting.
An Indian visa is an official government document that temporarily authorizes you to be in the country you are visiting. Many countries require a visa to gain entry. The visa usually is in the form of a stamp or a sticker in the passport and is obtained from the country you are visiting.

Q19. Do I need an Indian visa?

Ans. If you are traveling to India, whether for business or tourism, you require a visa to be obtained from a consulate in advance of your trip. There are citizens of few countries who are not required to obtain prior entry visa due to bilateral understanding.

Q20.What is the difference between an Indian tourist and business visa?

Ans. India visas are issued according to the purpose of the trip; if the primary activity of your trip is business - you'll need a business visa - otherwise choose a tourist visa.

Q21. How long is a visa valid?

TOURIST VISA:Valid for 3 months to 10 years. Ten (10) year visa is available only to US citizens under a bilateral arrangement. Irrespective of the duration of validity of visa, on each visit maximum period of stay in India is limited to 6 months (180 days). Multiple entry visas are given.
BUSINESS VISA:Valid for three month or one/more years with multiple entries. However, the period of stay in India (for each visit) under this category is limited to six months only. A letter from the sponsoring organization indicating nature of applicant's business, probable duration of stay, validity of visa, places and organizations to be visited and also a guarantee to meet maintenance expenses etc. should accompany the application. Business visa valid for ten years with multiple entries is available to foreign businessm2n who have set up or intend to set up joint ventures in India.

Q22. Is visa fee refundable?

Ans.Visa fees are non-refundable and subject to change without notice.

Q23. After obtaining Indian visa, can I be prevented from landing in India?

Ans. Granting of visa does not confer the right of entry to India and is subject to the discretion of the Immigration Authorities.

Q24. What types of Visas can be obtained to visit India and what are their requirements?

A1. Specific Visas are granted for a variety of purposes. The principal types of Visa issued are mentioned below.
Tourist visa

Tourists wishing to visit India will normally be granted tourist visa. Tourist visa are non-extendable and non-convertible.

Business Visa:

Business Visa are normally granted to individuals going to India in pursuance of bilateral agreements or joint venture projects having Government approval or looking for new business opportunity.

Student Visa:

Student Visa can be obtained on furnishing proof of admission to recognized University/institutions in India.

Employment Visa:

Employment Visa can also be obtained on furnishing of proof of employment with companies in India. It may however be noted that applications for employment visas are considered only for managerial/highly skilled jobs.

Transit Visa:

Transit Visa are valid for halts of up to 72 hours in India within 15 days from the date of issue of the visa and must be obtained before departure. Transit Visa cannot be obtained from immigration counters at ports of entry in India. Evidence of onward travel to a destination outside India is required.

Please Note:

Persons holding long term Visa (having validity exceeding 6 months) are normally not expected to stay in India for more than 6 months during each visit. For visits for a period longer than 6 months, the visa holder is required to register with the Foreigners' Registration Office (FRO)/Foreigners' Regional Registration Office (FRRO)

Q25. If I have to register myself in India, where do I go and register?

Ans. The registration is to be done at any Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or at Foreigners cell at district police headquarters.

Q26. Can my visa be extended in India if I have to stay longer than required?

Ans. If the visa is 'X' category, employment visa or student's visa, it could be extended by the FRRO subject to local checks. However tourist Visa cannot be extended under any circumstances.