If you’re in the US but the clock is ticking on your current Indian passport- it is not a pleasant feeling. But going back to India for the renewal is just not possible. So what do you do?
Don’t worry, because the Indian government has made it possible for Indian passport holders to renew their passports even while Indian citizens are in the US.
Read on to learn how the process works and what to expect when you want to renew an Indian passport in the US.
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How do I renew my Indian passport in the USA?
The Indian government has outsourced the Indian passport renewal process in the US to the application processing organization, VFS Global.¹
If you are looking to travel and continue to verify your identity through your Indian passport, you will be required to keep your Indian passport valid and up to date.
| ⚠️ You can not get an extension of validity for your Indian passport. It is required to be renewed through the designated renewal process with a brand new application every time. |
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You can start the renewal process for your Indian passport upto 1 year prior to its expiry date.
Renewing Your Indian Passport: Step-by-Step Guide
Here is the quick 7-step guide to the Indian passport renewal process.²
- Complete the online application on Passport Seva
- Once you completed the Passport Seva application fully, note down the Application Reference Number (ARN) of your application.
- Print out the completed Passport Seva application
- Return to the VFS Global Website and create an online profile through the Apply Now button.
- Print all the affidavits and additional documents per the VFS registration process.
- Mail the entire passport application package, including all copies and originals as required, to the relevant VFS Indian Consular Application Centre for your state.
- Keep track of your application through emails, the website or SMS for any issues or until completed.
You can send your package through the VFS Global Courier. The fees for the shipping will be alongside your fees for the renewal.
While you can use your own courier service and shipping label, it is advisable to use the VFS Global shipping services for delivery and return of your documents.
How do I track my application?
You can track your application through VFS’s Track Now page. To check, you will need to have your ARN handy, and the applicants’ birthdate. Your application status should be updated in the VFS Global system within 2-3 working days after receiving the packet.³
✅ Indian passport renewal in the USA: Checklist
Let’s walk through everything you need to have to submit your Indian passport renewal application.⁴
- A fully completed and printed online application form with your signature on page 1 and page 4
- The original Annexure E
- The original Affidavit for change of appearance or signature
- The self sworn Affidavit about residing outside India for more than 5 years
- A Notarized color copy of
- Valid Green Card
- Valid Visa
- Valid Work/Study Permit
- Other approved visa or I-797A Approvals that validate your status in the US
- A Notarized color copy of of your present US address in any of these forms:
- State issued ID
- Driving License
- Water/Gas/Electricity utility bill
- Valid lease agreement
- Mortgage
- Income Tax Return
- A letter from your college/university if you are residing on campus
- 2 square photos sized at 51mmx51mm on a white or offwhite background
- Your current Indian passport in original form
- Copies of the first 5 pages and last 2 pages of your current Indian passport
- The VFS Global Re-Issue/Fresh Passport Checklist
Depending on your situation there may be additional documents you may need to send. For example, if you need to change your Indian address as well, you will need to provide the Indian documents for that. So read the documents and checklist carefully to make sure you are not missing any documents.
All minors will need their own application and can not be added to a parent’s application. Applications for minors will also need additional documentation from guardians or parents depending on the age of the minor.
How long does it take to renew an Indian passport in the USA?
If you have submitted all the documents correctly and there are no issues with your application, it should take approximately 3 weeks.
But keep an eye on your application through the Track Now option. If your application needs additional documents, you must submit them within 7 days or your application processing can be stopped, without a refund.
If your application stays incomplete for 21 working days, it will be returned to you unprocessed by the Indian Embassy or Consulate. The fee will be refunded with the shipping costs deducted.⁵
How much does it cost to renew an Indian passport in the USA?
The cost for renewing a passport in the US depends on if you are an adult or minor and the size of the booklet you are getting.
In addition to the processing charges, there is a ICWF fee of $2.00 and a VFS fee of $15.90 that are added into your total cost.
Here are the total costs to expect to renew your passport⁶:
| Application | Valid for | Booklet | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult - 18 yo + | 10 years | 36 Pages | $92.90 |
| Adult - 18 yo + | 10 years | 60 Pages | $117.90 |
| Minor- between 15-18yo | 10 years | 36 Pages | $92.90 |
| Minor- between 15-18yo | 10 years | 60 Pages | $117.90 |
| Minor- below 15 yo | 5 years | 36 Pages | $67.90 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Still got questions? Here are some answers to popular questions on the passport renewal process.
Can I stay in the US with an expired Indian passport?
You will need to prove that your visa to the US is still valid. If it is you can start the process for your passport renewal. If your US visa has expired or there are any issues, you can submit a request for an emergency certificate and a possible short term validity passport.⁷
What address do I put on my online application?
You will need to mention both an Indian and a US address on the online application form.
How long are Indian passports valid for?
Normally, Indian passports have a validity of 10 years.
What about my valid visas in my expired Indian passport?
Your old Indian passport will be returned to you with your existing visas intact. You will need to carry your old passport with the valid visas with you when you travel, alongside your new passport.
Is there a way to submit a paper renewal application?
No, the Government of India has required all renewal processes to go through the online application version.
What if I have lost or damaged my Indian passport?
While certain parts of the process will be similar, check out the guidelines for a lost or damaged passport. In certain instances you may need to provide documentation and verification of the theft or damage.
Sources
This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover every aspect of the topics with which it deals. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content in this publication. The information in this publication does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from TransferWise Limited or its affiliates. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
FAQs
What address proof is required for Indian passport renewal in USA? ›
Aadhaar letter/card or the e-Aadhaar (an electronically generated letter from the website of UIDAI), as the case may be, will be accepted as Proof of Address (POA) and Proof of Photo-Identity (POI) for availing passport related services.
How I can renew my Indian passport in USA? ›A:Visit VFS Global Website (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/apply-passport) and apply for "Re-issue" of passport under Passport pages exhausted category. A new passport would be issued with a validity of 10 years.
Is there police verification for Indian passport renewal in USA? ›Is Police Verification Required to Renew an Indian Passport in the US? Police Verification (PV) will not occur if you have submitted the passport renewal application from the US before or within three years after the expiry of your old passport.
Do we need to submit original Indian passport for renewal in USA? ›You will need to submit your original passport at the time of lodging your application. It is recommended that you complete all required travel and then submit your application for a new passport as, once your passport application is registered for renewal, you will not be able to use your old passport.
How much time does it take for Indian passport renewal in USA? ›The normal processing time of passport is 3 weeks.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for passport renewal in USA? ›Is an Aadhaar mandatory for applying for a passport? No, Aadhar is not mandatory. You should have other valid documents to prove your identity, address and date of birth.
How can I renew my Indian passport quickly? ›Login to the Passport Seva Online Portal with the registered Login Id. Click "Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport" link. Fill in the required details in the form and submit. Click the "Pay and Schedule Appointment" link on the "View Saved/Submitted Applications" screen to schedule an appointment.
What is the best time to renew Indian passport? ›You can apply for a re-issue of passport up to 1 year before the expiry and not earlier. However, in case of any change of personal particulars, lost/damaged, Exhaustion of pages you may apply for re-issue of passport.
Can I travel with an expired Indian passport in USA? ›An Emergency Certificate (EC) is a one-way travel document which is issued in following situations: (a) validity of Indian passport has expired and applicant has no valid/ legal visa status to live in USA.
How many days does it take to complete police verification of an Indian passport? ›The police verification usually takes somewhere between 2 to 3 weeks. Why is police verification mandatory for a passport? A country's passport is one of the most important and valuable documents.
Should police be present for passport verification? ›
Do I have to present in-person for the police verification process? Yes, it is advisable that you are present for your police verification process.
How long does it take to renew Indian passport in USA Tatkal? ›Tatkal Applications: Five (5) working days from the date of receiving the application at the Consulate. Normal Applications: Thirty (30) working days from the date of receiving the application at the Consulate.
Can an Indian citizen return to India with expired passport? ›You can only use the valid passport for traveling purposes, but you can use the expired passport to prove your citizenship once you enter the country If they want proof of your citizenship. You might get admonished by the officer of that other country of your citizenship especially if it is the United States.
Does OCI need to be renewed when passport is renewed? ›(ii) OCI cardholder is required to get the OCI card re-issued only once when a new passport is issued after completing 20 years of age. (Applicants may refer to https://services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/apply-oci-services for the process).
Do I need to submit my old passport when renewing Indian passport? ›Old passport booklet: The applicant is also required to submit his/her expired passport booklet before availing a new passport. Self-attested copy of first and last pages of the booklet: The individual is needed to submit self-attested copies of the first two and last two pages of the old passport booklet.
What are the documents required to renew Indian passport? ›- Proof of age.
- Residential address proof.
- Identity proof.
- 2 passport-sized photographs of the applicant.
- Attested photocopies of the first and last pages of your existing passport booklet.
- Original existing booklet.
Applicants over the age of 18 years may submit any three of the documents specified in the List of Acceptable Documents for obtaining passport under the Tatkaal Scheme.
Which document can be used as address proof? ›For proof of Address
Kisan Passbook with photograph Kisan Passbook with address. Income Tax PAN card Income Tax Assessment Order Photo Credit Card Credit card statement (not older than last three months) Smart card issued by CSD, Defense/Paramilitary Telephone Bill of fixed line (not older than last three months).
Citizens to the United States. U.S. citizens will not be allowed to use their expired U.S. passport for direct return to the United States after June 30, 2022. If a U.S. citizen overseas has an expired U.S. passport, please contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to apply for a U.S. passport.
Is PAN card required for passport renewal? ›Is it important to submit PAN Card as well as Aadhar Card or will only one of the documents suffice? Both documents have to be submitted as the authorities will require them both to check your eligibility for a passport.
What is the fastest way to renew my passport? ›
You can renew an adult passport or child's passport quickly and easily at the Post Office with our Passport Check & Send services. With Digital Check & Send, we complete and submit your application digitally, with no forms to fill in or fuss.
What is the fastest passport renewal time? ›Return to you: Pay $18.32 for 1-2 day delivery. This means you will receive your passport 1-2 days after we send it. Include the $18.32 fee with your passport fee in your check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State for fastest return shipping.
Can I get Indian passport in 10 days? ›Applications that dont require police verification will be processed within 1 working day, while for applications that require police verification, passport will be submitted on the third working day and police verification will happen after the issuance of passport.
How do I renew my passport in 2022? ›- Schedule an appointment online. Walk-in applicants are normally not allowed EXCEPT for emergency and special cases. ...
- Accomplish the Online Application Form. ...
- Settle the Processing Fee. ...
- Head to the DFA Site you picked. ...
- Claim your new passport.
The answer to this question is yes – your passport number will change when you update your passport. In this blog post, we will discuss the process of updating your passport and how to find your new passport number.
How soon can I renew my Indian passport before it expires? ›Re-issuance of Passport
An Indian passport is normally valid for 10 years from the date of its issue. It must be replaced with a fresh passport after expiry of its validity. Application for a fresh passport can be made up to one year before the date of expiry of the present passport.
What happens if my Indian passport expires in the U.S.? If your Indian passport expires in the U.S., you have to immediately apply for a passport renewal with VFS Global.
What happens if Indian passport expires while abroad? ›In all cases you would have to apply to the Indian Embassy or Consulate in that particular country for renewal of your passport.
Can I travel back to India if my passport expires in 3 months? ›For any international travel Passport Must by valid for minimum 6 months, so you can not travel on this passport.
Can passport be rejected after police verification? ›Failure to complete police verification: While you can get the passport even before the police verification is over, the process of the application is not complete till this verification is done. Many a time's applications get rejected as a result of inconclusive police verification.
What will happen if we miss police verification for passport? ›
Passport cannot be issued without police verification in your case. But if you apply under the Tatkaal scheme with required documents, you can be issued a passport on post police verification basis.
What happens if my passport application is rejected? ›The government fees will not be returned to you if the passport is denied. The typical time to receive a passport through the post office is now 6-8 weeks if you use routine processing. However, if there are any mistakes with your application, your passport can be denied or suspended and held up indefinitely.
Does Indian passport require police verification? ›Yes. As per the current guidelines it is mandatory to have Police Verification in all the cases of reissue of Passports. All applicants are therefore advised to furnish their full Indian address where the Police authorities might go for verification. Incorrect address may cause delay in the issuance of Passport.
Which police station is closest to passport verification? ›- Step 1: Visit the Passport Seva Website.
- Step 2: On the left-hand column, under "Information Corner", click on Know Your Police Station.
- Step 3: Select your State.
- Step 4: Select your District.
- Step 5: A list of police stations in that district will populate.
| Application | Valid for | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Adult - 18 yo + | 10 years | $92.90 |
| Adult - 18 yo + | 10 years | $117.90 |
| Minor- between 15-18yo | 10 years | $92.90 |
| Minor- between 15-18yo | 10 years | $117.90 |
As per the Passports Act 1967, it is mandatory for all Indian passport holders to surrender their passports to the nearest Indian Mission/Post immediately after acquisition of foreign nationality. Misuse of Indian passports constitutes an offence under Section 12(1A) of the Passports Act 1967.
Can OCI holder live permanently in India? ›Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) requires a country to allow a form of dual nationality available to people of Indian origin and their spouses which allows them to live and work in India indefinitely.
Can I renew my Indian passport while living abroad? ›Yes. Indian passports can be renewed abroad by contacting the respective Indian consulate in your country of residence. However, every country will have slightly different processes, document requirements and charges. Therefore, it is advised to report the consulate directly or visit its website.
Can I enter India without OCI renewal? ›Without worrying about the mandatory reissuance of OCI cards, foreign citizens of Indian origin can travel to and from India through 2022. The extended deadline relieves OCI cardholders of the need to get the OCI card reissued once they complete 20 years of age and 50 years of age.
What happens to my OCI when I renew my passport? ›Answer. Re-issuance of OCI is mandatory every time passport is renewed up to the age of 20 years, and once on acquiring a new passport, after completing 50 years of age, in view of frequent biological changes in facial features in this age group.
How long is OCI valid till? ›
The OCI card is a lifelong visa available for citizens of Indian origin. Once you get it, you will obtain all the rights any resident in India has. You can live and work in India. The OCI card is valid for 10 years after issued and it allows Multiple Entry to the country.
What documents carry during passport renewal? ›Documents Required for Passport Renewal
Original old Passport. Self-attested copies of the first two and last two pages of the passport. Self-attested copy of the Emigration Check Required (ECR)/Non-ECR page. Self-attested copy of the page of observation, if any, made by the Passport Issuing Authority.
Applicants are required to furnish original documents along with one set of self-attested photocopies of the same at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) for processing.
Can I keep my passport while renewing? ›Answer: It is not possible to renew your current passport without submitting it with the application form.
What address proof is required for passport renewal? ›Aadhaar letter/card or the e-Aadhaar (an electronically generated letter from the website of UIDAI), as the case may be, will be accepted as Proof of Address (POA) and Proof of Photo-Identity (POI) for availing passport related services.
Is address proof required for reissue of passport? ›Proof of Address
An official document that confirms the location where the applicant resides is to be submitted. The address mentioned in the submitted document must match with that on the application form.
Proof of Address
Photo Passbook of running bank account in any public sector bank, private sector bank and regional rural banks. Water bill. Election Photo ID card. Landline or Postpaid mobile bill.
- Application form - Use the renewal application form DS-82 (PDF, Download Adobe Reader). ...
- Passport photo - Follow the photo requirements.
- Payment - Include your passport fees.
- Your most recent passport.
- Water, electricity, gas, telephone, or Internet bill.
- Credit card bill or statement.
- Bank statement.
- Bank reference letter.
- Mortgage statement or contract.
- Letter issued by a public authority (e.g. a courthouse)
- Company payslip.
- Car or home insurance policy.
For proof of Address
Income Tax PAN card Income Tax Assessment Order Photo Credit Card Credit card statement (not older than last three months) Smart card issued by CSD, Defense/Paramilitary Telephone Bill of fixed line (not older than last three months).
Is bank statement required for passport renewal? ›
No. Not at all. Bank passbook or any other such document isn't required for the issuance of passport. Proof of identity, Proof of age and Proof of Address (Aadhar card will work in this case).
What is difference between reissue and renewal of passport? ›What is the difference between passport renewal and passport re-issue? A passport is renewed to extend its validity. On the other hand, a passport is re-issued if you require a new passport.
What is a non-ECR proof? ›Non-ECR Category. Document(s) Required. All holders of Diplomatic/official Passports. No separate document is required except Diplomatic passport. All GAZETTED Government servants, their spouses and dependent children.
Which address gets printed on passport? ›Only the present address will be endorsed on the passport and not the permanent address.
What 3 documents do you need for a passport? ›Step 1: Gather original documents and two passport photos
Evidence that you're an Australian citizen. A document that confirms your place of birth and gender. Identity documents showing your photo, signature, and current residential address.
...
Documents Required for Indian Passport
- Passport application form.
- Proof of address.
- Proof of date of birth.
- Documentary proof for any one of the Non-ECR categories.
Answer: Passports issued to American citizens age 16 or older can be renewed by mail up to 15 years after the date of issuance or 5 years after the date of expiration. Note, passports that are significantly damaged or those that were issued to minors age 15 or younger cannot be renewed by mail.
How long does a passport renewal take? ›Normally, applicants can expect to wait three weeks for their passports to be processed.