Embassy of India

What is the service fee for processing visa for a) Cambodian b) Foreigner ?
A: The Visa processing fee for Cambodians is NIL.
The Visa processing fee for others is $17.

Are there any different fee if one wants to stay in India for one month or more ?
A: Yes, upto 6 months one rate.
But over 6 months it is higher.

What are the documents required for applying for an Indian Visa?
A: Please see Documents required for Visa

Do Cambodian official/service passports and diplomatic passports require Indian visa?
A: No, upto 60 days.

What is the fee for a new Indian Passport ?
A: The Fee for a new Indian Passport are :
i ) 36 page booklet - US$ 77.
ii ) 60 page booklet - US$ 102.

Do I need a visa to go to India?
A: Yes, all foreigners need a visa to enter India.

I want to visit India for tourism/to attend a friend's marriage/to meet my friends. Which visa should I apply for?
A: You should apply for a tourist visa.

Can I work in India?
A: Yes, with a valid employment visa.

I am a Cambodian national and I go for one or two months every year for tourism. Which visa should I apply for?
A: You should apply for a Tourist visa. This visa is not extendable in India.

I have to participate in a Conference/Seminar/Workshop in India. Which visa should I apply for?
A: You should apply for a Conference Visa to enable you to participate in the Conference/Seminar/ Workshop along with invitation letter, details of the Conference etc. Clearance from the competent authority in India is required.

I have to go for internship/training in a university/institute/company in India for a short period. Which visa should I apply for? 
A: You should apply for an Entry Visa along with a copy of the offer letter stating the terms of internship. You may also be required to submit a copy of the inter-university student exchange agreement if the proposed internship is a component of such an agreement.  You would be required to submit proof of financial standing to support your stay in India. If you receive any monetary compensation/salary from the Indian organization, you will have to apply for a business visa.

I will be studying in India for one semester/trimester in an IIT/IIM/IISc/Indian university. Which visa should I apply for?
A: You should apply for a Student Visa along with a copy of the letter from the institute/university confirming your acceptance as a student. You would also be required to submit proof of financial standing to support your stay in India.

Do I need a visa for my pet who is accompanying me on my visit to India?
A: Visa is not required for taking a pet to India but certain customs and vaccination-related regulations have to be complied with. Please consult your airline/travel agent for details of these regulations and necessary documentation to facilitate the visit.

Do all the applicants need to be present at the time of submitting an application?
A: No.  An application can be submitted by an immediate family member. However, the decision of the Visa Officer is final.

I wish to visit certain areas in India like Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Nagaland etc. Can I obtain a visa to visit these areas?
A: A Tourist Visa is not sufficient to visit these areas as these regions of India are restricted/protected areas for which a Restricted/Protected Area Permit (RAP/PAP) is necessary. This permit can be obtained in India either from the Ministry of Home Affairs or FRRO concerned after entering India with a tourist visa. You can visit certain open areas in Sikkim for a maximum period of 15 days in case you request a 'special endorsement for Sikkim' at the time of applying for your tourist visa.

What is the definition of minor for issue of passport?
A: Applicants less than 18 years of age are considered as minor for issuance of passport.

In case of minor's passport, whose father is abroad, is it mandatory to obtain father's consent to apply for the child's passport? If so, what is the procedure?
A: If parent(s) of the minor holds a valid passport, then attested photocopy of passport needs to be submitted along with the application form. Spouse name should be endorsed on the parent's passport.  If parent(s) hold a valid passport but spouse name is not endorsed, then they must get the spouse name added in their passport. For this, they have to apply for re-issue of passport and get the specified change done in personal particulars. If father is abroad, then a sworn affidavit attested by the Indian mission along with attested photocopy of passport needs to be submitted OR Annexure G can be submitted by mother (in case sworn affidavit cannot be arranged by the father).

Is it necessary that both parents should have passport before applying for their child's passport?
A: It is not necessary that both parents should have a passport before applying for their child's passport. The advantage of either parent holding a valid passport with spouse name endorsed is that it exempts their child from the Police Verification process.

What would be the validity of a minor's passport?
A: The validity of a minor's passport is restricted to five years or till they attain the age of 18, whichever is earlier. But the minors aged between 15 to 18 years can apply either for a 10-year validity passport or for a passport which is valid till they attain the age of 18 years. Different fees are applicable depending upon which category they are applying for.

Is it true that passport applications for minors under 18 require consent of either both parents or legal guardian?
A: It is necessary that either parent/legal guardian should give his / her consent while applying for minor's passport. Following documents have to be submitted in the given cases:

My spouse is living in another country. How do I get his/her signature for consent while applying for my child's passport?
A: Consent of the spouse, who is abroad, is required for submitting the application of their child. It should be in the form of a Sworn Affidavit duly attested by the Indian Embassy/Consulate abroad (as per Annexure "H").

I wish to apply for a passport for my child who is 12 months old. Can I apply for a 60 pages booklet?
A: No. Only 36 pages passport booklet are issued to minors.

I want to apply for my minor child's passport. I hold a valid passport but spouse name is not endorsed. Can I apply for my child's passport without submitting my passport copy?
A: If parent(s) of the minor holds a valid passport, then attested photocopy of passport needs to be submitted along with the application form. Spouse name should be endorsed on the parent's passport. If parent(s) hold a valid passport, but spouse name is not endorsed, then they must get the spouse name added in their passport. For this, they have to apply for re-issue of passport and get the specified change done in personal particulars.

  What benefits do senior citizens get for issuance of passport?
A: Senior Citizens can be issued a passport on post police verification basis if they submit copy of child's (Age greater than 18) passport, who is staying abroad (with page having parent's name) as an additional document along with their application form. To check the complete list of documents to be submitted along with the application form, please click on "Documents Required" link on Home page.

What benefits do government employees and retired government employees get for issuance of passport?
A: Government Employees: Government/Public Sector/Statutory body employees can be issued passport without police verification, if they submit Identity Certificate in original as per Annexure "B" as an additional document along with the application form. They can be issued a passport on post police verification basis, if they submit No Objection Certificate (NOC) (as per Annexure "M") and on pre police verification basis if they submit Prior Intimation Letter (PI) as per Annexure "N" as an additional document along
With the application form. 
Retired Government Employees: Retired Government employees can be issued a passport on post police verification basis if they submit Pension Payment Order as an additional document along with the application form.

Explain citizenship of India by birth, descent, registration, naturalization.
A:

1. Citizen of India by birth: You are Citizen of India by birth if you are born in India.
2. Citizen of India by descent: You are Citizen of India by descent if you are born outside India and either of your parents is a citizen of India at the time of your birth.
3. Citizen of India by registration/naturalization: You are Citizen of India by Registration/Naturalization if you have been granted Indian Citizenship by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Govt of India.

Can dependents of Government/Public Sector/Statutory body employees apply for a passport in the normal process without submitting any affidavits?
A: Dependent family members of Government/Public Sector/Statutory body employees can be issued passport without police verification, if they submit the following additional documents along with their application form:

1. "Identity Certificate" in original as per Annexure "B" (of dependent)
2. Standard Affidavit as per Annexure "I"

Otherwise, passport would be issued to them on pre police verification basis, or post police verification basis - if they apply under Tatkaal scheme.

The applicant has repatriated from abroad at Government cost and wants to apply for a fresh passport. However he/she does not have a proof of refund of repatriation cost to Ministry of External Affairs. What should he/she do?
A: He/she should meet the Assistant Passport Officer (APO) at your nearest PSK/RPO

What is the procedure to apply for duplicate passport in case of lost or damaged passport?
A: To apply for duplicate passport in case of lost or damaged passport, you have to fill the Passport Application form and apply for "Re-issue" of passport.

I lost my passport recently. I've applied for a duplicate passport. I want to know if the new passport will have the same number as my old passport, or a new number?
A: You need to visit Assistant Passport Officer (APO) at your nearest PSK.

I am an Indian living abroad. I lost my Indian passport but I don't have photocopy of the same. What should I do?
A: Photocopy of the old passport is not a mandatory document to be submitted in case of lost/damaged/stolen passport. It should be produced, if it is available. But you will be required to produce, the previous passport details like Passport number, date of issue, date of expiry and place of issue, while filling the passport application form. If you do not have that information, then contact the respective Indian mission/post in that country.

: When an additional booklet/additional pages issued? 
OR 
My passport is nearly full but is valid for another 4 years, is it possible to add extra pages?
A: Additional pages are not added to a passport booklet. If the pages in the passport booklet have exhausted, you need to apply for "Re-issue" of passport.

How long is a passport valid?
A: In case of adults, 10-year validity passport would be issued. In case of minors, the validity of passport is restricted to 5 years or till they attain the age of 18, whichever is earlier. But the minors between 15 to 18 years of age can apply either for a 10-year validity passport or for a passport which is valid till they attain the age of 18 years. Different fees are applicable depending upon the category they are applying for. Further, most of the foreign missions/embassies insist on the passport validity of at least of six months to one year before they consider issuing visas. Accordingly, it is advisable to apply for re-issue well before time to avoid last minute rush.

What documents are required when there is a change in name on account of divorce?
A: Following additional documents have to be submitted:-

1. Court certified copy of Divorce Decree

Deed Poll or Sworn Affidavit as per Annexure "E" given in the Passport Instruction

The Surname field is blank on my passport. And my full name is written in the Given Name field. What is the process to add the surname to my passport?
A: If you find any mistake/error in the particulars printed in the passport booklet as per the application form submitted, please return the passport for necessary rectification. Any additional fees required to be paid would depend solely on merit of the case as decided by the Passport Officer. If there is a misrepresentation of facts, then penalty could also be imposed. However, applicants are requested to apply online with the view to ensure that the passports are delivered without any typographical errors since applicants have themselves fed the data. If you have done a mistake while filling your passport application form i.e. you have filled your full name in the "Given Name" field, then you will need to apply for re-issue of passport for change in personal particulars.

If the applicant changes his/her name from:

1. Sandeep Sharma to Sandeep Kumar Sharma
2. Sandeep Kumar to Sandeep Sharma
3. Ritu to Ritu Thakur

The above change would be considered a major change or a minor change in name?
A: Minor change in name - change in name because of spelling discrepancy between passport and documents which phonetically do not result in total change in name. Major change in name - Cases other than minor change in name. In Case 1 and Case 2, it is a major change in name. In Case 3, if change in name is due to marriage then it falls in the category "Change in name due to marriage". If change in name is not due to marriage, it is a major change in name.

I want to get the DOB changed in the passport since there is a typing error. What should I do? 
A: If you find any mistake/error in the particulars printed in the passport booklet as per the application form you submitted, please return the passport for necessary rectification. Any additional fees required to be paid would depend solely on merit of the case as decided by the Passport Officer. If there is a misrepresentation of facts, then penalty could also be imposed. However, applicants are requested to apply online with the view to ensure that the passports are delivered without any typographical errors since applicants have themselves fed the data.