1. General information / instructions:
1. All applicants must submit the application in person for identification. There is no provision for exemption from this requirement.
2. Applicants should not use old passport to travel as their old passport shall be cancelled in the system once they have submitted the application. All applicants should submit a self "Declaration" to this effect at the time of application.
3.The delivery of processed documents is to be done preferably to the applicant or to the person authorized by the applicant on presentation of (i) authorization letter (sample form) (ii) Original payment receipt given to applicant at the time of submission of application (iii) Original Hong Kong/Macau ID of authorized person.
4. Only those individuals who have valid Hong Kong/Macau ID or valid visa can submit their application for these services.
5. In case of casual visitors, only Emergency Certificate or short validity passport is issued depending upon merit of case.
6. An ordinary passport is valid for ten years from the date of issue.
7. Minors up to age of 15 are issued passport with 5-year validity. Minors aged between 15 to 18 years can opt for either 5 years or 10 years validity passport.
8. Passport Issuing Authority can issue passports for a shorter duration under certain conditions.
9. The Passport service asked for should be in the proper prescribed form accompanied with appropriate fees. The application for the service in any other form is not acceptable.
10. Applicants should ensure that application in the prescribed format is complete in all respects; that all columns are correctly and legibly filled and no column is left blank or unfilled / un-responded or vaguely filled with a dash, tick, etc.
11. All signatures in the application should be with ballpoint pen of black or blue ink. Those who cannot affix their signatures like infants, minors or illiterate should put their thumb impression in the place of signature.
12. The signature of the applicant should exactly fit in the prescribed column.
13. Photographs should be recent colored one and of the size 2 inch X 2 inch. Photo should be of good quality with frontal view of the full face and white/light background with dark colored dress as per ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organizations) document 9303.
14. It is an offence under The Passports Act 1967 to furnish false information in the application. Passport facilities can be denied on grounds of suppression of material information, submission of incorrect particulars, willful damage/loss of passport or for unauthorized change/tampering.
15. The Passport can be impounded or revoked for violation of one or more of the provisions of The Passports Act 1967.
16. It is an offence to hold more than one valid passport at a time.
17. An application for reissue of passport can be submitted anytime within one year before the expiry of the validity or after the expiry of the validity. However, if the passport is expired for more than three years, the application should be supported by self declaration on a plain paper explaining the circumstances and the reasons for the late renewal.
18. Approximately 20 working days are required for issue of passport. However in some cases, where verification from other authorities is required, it may take more time.
19. Applicant can check status of their application online.
20. All applications are to be signed in the presence of official at the Consulate and signature should match with signature in old passport.
21. In case of change in signature a self declared affidavit on a plain paper should be submitted along with application.
22. There is no provision for tatkal passport on account of failure to renew the passport in time. All are requested to check the validity of their passport before planning any travel and should apply for the renewal of passport well in time.
23. Short validity passport is for specific purpose on merit of case. It is neither a substitute of regular passport nor a tatkal passport scheme.
24. All fees are to be paid in Hong Kong dollars in Cash/FPS at the Consulate at the time of submission of application. Applicant must ensure that they get a receipt of that. Fees once paid are not refunded, even if the application is withdrawn or the service refused for whatsoever reasons.
25. After acquiring the foreign citizenship, the Indian passport can be used for travel for 3 months only from the day of getting the foreign citizenship. The grace period is only for such cases where foreign citizenship has been acquired but a foreign passport is not available to the person. It is also mentioned that it is illegal to travel on an Indian passport, where a person has obtained a foreign passport.
26. The Indian Citizenship Act, 1955, does not allow dual citizenship. Holding Indian Passport / acquiring Indian Passport / travelling on Indian passport after acquisition of foreign citizenship constitutes an offence under the Indian Passport Act, 1967.
27. As per Indian laws, Persons of Indian Origin who have acquired foreign nationality are required to surrender their Indian passports to the nearest Indian Mission/Post immediately after acquisition of foreign citizenship.
28. In order to protect the interests of the vulnerable sections of society such as children, illiterate workers etc., from being taken overseas and exploited, office of Protector of Emigrants, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has placed certain categories of citizens in the Emigration Check Required (ECR) category. Most citizens who are not in the working age or are not illiterate, or are well qualified educationally will fall in the Non Emigration Check Required (Non-ECR) category. Indian citizens categorized as ECR, are required to get a clearance from the office of Protector of Emigrants, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs before leaving the country for employment purpose. For further clarification refer website www.moia.gov.in. If you are in the ECR category, ECR status will be printed on your passport. If ECR is not printed on your passport, you would be deemed to have been granted Non-ECR status. Non-ECR status will not be printed on your passport.
Non ECR
- In passport application form, put a cross against Yes if you are eligible for Non Emigration Check Required (Non-ECR). An applicant will be eligible for non-ECR status if the applicant falls in any one of the following categories and provides documentary proof thereo
a) All holders of Diplomatic/Official passports
b) All Gazetted Government servants, their spouses and dependent children
c) All persons having educational qualification of matriculation (pass) and above
d) All persons above the age of 50 years
e) All children up to the age of 18 years wishing to obtain short validity passport. (For re-issue of passport, after they attain the age of 18 years, documents to prove their non-ECR category have to be submitted, else ECR stamping will be done)
f) All children between 15 and 18 years of age wishing to obtain full validity passport of 10 years have to submit documents to prove their non-ECR category, else ECR stamping will be done.
g) Income-Tax payers (including Agricultural Income-Tax payees) in their individual capacity, their spouses and dependent children. Following documents have to be submitted: o Proof of assessment of income tax and actual payment of income tax for last one year; or o Income Tax return statement (with income tax being paid by the applicant) for last one year that is stamped by income tax authorities and a copy of the PAN card. Applicants submitting NIL income tax return statements are not eligible.
h) Persons possessing two years diploma from any institute recognized by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) or State Council of Vocational Training (SCVT), or persons holding three years diploma/equivalent degree from institutions, such as Polytechnics recognized by the Central/State Governments of India
i) Nurses possessing qualifications recognized under the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947
j) All professional degree holders, their spouses and dependent children. Examples of professional degree holders are Doctors holding MBBS degree or equivalent degree in Ayurved or Homeopathy, accredited Journalists, Engineers, Chartered Accountants, Cost Accountants, Lecturers, Teachers, Scientists, Advocates, etc.
k) All persons who have been staying abroad for more than three years (the period of three years may or may not be continuous) and their spouses. For the purpose of verification, spouse name should be endorsed on each others passport.
l) Seamen who are in possession of Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), or Sea Cadets and Deck Cadets - (i). Who have passed the final examination of three years B.Sc. Nautical Sciences courses at T.S. Chanakya, Mumbai; and Page 5 of 18 (ii). Who have undergone three months pre-sea training at any of the Government approved training institutes, such as T.S. Chanakya, T.S. Rehman, T.S. Jawahar, MTI (SCI) and NIPM, CHENNAI, after production of identity cards issued by the Shipping Master at Mumbai/Kolkata/Chennai.
m) Persons holding Permanent Immigration visa or documents like Green Card, Permanent Residence Card etc.
ECR
- If you do not fall under any of the above mentioned categories (a – l), put a cross against No while filling the passport application form.
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At present Emigration control is exercised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, through Protector of Emigrants (POE) under the Emigration Act, 1982. Emigration clearance is required for employment in the following countries (18 in total): United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Malaysia, Libya, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Brunei, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Syria, Lebanon, Thailand, and Iraq. ECR passport holders taking up employment in the above mentioned countries require emigration clearance from the office of the Protector of Emigrants (POE) before leaving India; otherwise, they will be stopped from traveling at the port of exit. For further clarification refer website www.moia.gov.in With effect from October 1, 2007 Government of India has abolished Emigration Check Required Suspension (ECRS). Therefore, ECR passport holders traveling abroad for purpose other than employment, to any of the above mentioned 18 countries, will be allowed to leave the country on production of valid passport, valid visa and return ticket at the immigration counters at international airport in India. Note: A passport holder having employment visa in passport does not require clearance from POE when they go back after short visit to India.
