Have you heard about the process related to Indian passport renewal in the USA? If yes, then it is a great thing in itself but if not, then you must know everything about it if you travel frequently to USA from India. After all, it may sometime get necessary for you to renew your Indian passport in the USA at any time. There is no surprise in the fact that the process can obviously seem like a rigmarole, but you need not worry as we are here to encapsulate everything related to it. In this article, you will go through all the different steps to help you renew an Indian passport in the USA.
In the United States, you can complete the renewal process with just a few simple steps. First of all, you need to make sure that you have all the essential documents with you. You have to fill the application form and attach all the necessary documents along with it. Consequently, you’ll need to submit the documents to the closest Indian consulate. The consulate will eventually review your application and issue a new one for further documentation.
Procedure Of Indian Passport Renewal In USA
The process of Indian passport renewal in the USA is similar to that of applying for a new passport. In fact, there are some steps which are essential to be follow in order to get an updated passport. Filling out and submitting the form on the passport seva portal is not the only what needs to be done. Rather, submitting a physical application to VFS India Consular Application Centre in the United States is absolutely indispensable. So if you are in USA and thinking about renewing your passport, you should know each and every factor associated with Indian Passport Renewal in the USA.
Renewal Of Indian Passport In The USA (Documents Required)
So, here we shall discuss about the documents which are required for Indian Passport renewal in the United States of America.
-When you are submitting the form, please make sure that you have gone through the checklist thoroughly and arranged the essential documents correctly. Besides that, signing and filling the form without committing any mistake is equally important.
-Kindly note that you have to submit three copies of the complete Nationality Verification form. Moreover, you have to submit three photographs for the Personal Particulars Form. In addition to that, in your passport application, you have to attach 3 recent photos measuring 2 inches by 2 inches.
– On the other hand, in case your passport has expired for more than three years, you will need to submit a total of eight photographs. You have to paste one photograph on the first page of your online application form where the space is provided. Whereas, the second photograph will need to be pasted to the Nationality Verification Form, and the last photos should be stapled on the final page of the application form. We hope that you have understood the process until now and won’t face any problems filing your application. Apart from that, if your concern is booking cheap flights to India, you can check our flight section and get the best deals on nonstop flights from the USA to India.
– Getting back to the topic, if you want to correctly process your application, you have to attach both your current passport and any other previous passports that are less than five years old together. Moreover, you can attach photocopies of the first five pages and the last two pages of your current passport as well. Your highest degree of educational qualification must be included in the documents at the same time.
– In order to verify your US address, you must submit documents such as your Rental Lease Agreement or Home Mortgage Bill. Otherwise, any utility bills like electricity, gas or water can also be used for the same. However, it’s important to know that these bills should be no more than three months old. You can also attach your driver’s license or State ID as a proof for establishing credibility. Share details of your Indian address by providing your Aadhaar card, Driver’s License or any Indian utility bill that is not more than 3 months old.
– If you want to renew your child’s passport, you may have to provide some additional documents. So, this includes a birth certificate, proof of citizenship, and a parental consent form. On the other hand, if you are traveling to India and want a premium experience on board, you can book business class flights to India with us at special prices.
Know More About Indian Passport Renewal In The USA
According to ICAO’S regulations, only machine readable passports are now accepted for international travel. This change will certainly help streamline the travel process and make it more efficient. When your existing one is full, you can get a new passport. In addition, your Indian passport is valid for 10 years from the date of issue. So, you can apply for a new one at least up to 1 year before its expiration. After all, it’s always best to apply well in advance and whenever possible to avoid any kind of issues that may hamper the whole process. But in the USA, it’s quite easy to apply online for an Indian passport renewal.
What happens If Your Documents Are Incomplete?
In such a scenario, the VFS office will return your application unprocessed if it is not completed within 20 calendar days. In case you apply for a refund for the fee paid, you will be refunded with the amount after deducting the applicable postal charges. If they receive any photocopied documents, they will shred them after the required timeframe. Whereas, the originals will be returned to the Embassy of India or Consulate General. Therefore, in such a situation, applicant should contact the Embassy of India or Consulate-General to receive their original documents once VFS returns them for some reason.
What Happens If You Forget To Submit Your Additional Documents?
If you forget or fail to provide your additional documents within 7 days, your application may be suspended altogether. Moreover, you may also not get a refund for the fee you paid for your Indian passport renewal in the USA. Therefore, always make sure you never miss to submit or attach all the essential documents.
Renewal of Indian Passport – Tatkal Service
This is an emergency passport service that is available to all applicants living in the USA having a valid passport and visa status. Basically, this service is designed to help those who need a passport instantly. The Tatkal Scheme is open to most of the applicants. However, the following types of applicants may or may not be eligible to apply under the scheme:
- Those who have lost their passport stolen or have a passport damaged that is beyond recognition.
- Applicants who need to renew a (SVP) Short Validity Passport.
- This scheme is for those who need to change their name, sex, or appearance on their passport (minors can apply).
- Those who need to correct or change their DOB, place, or signature (minors can apply).
- For those who want to change their fathers or mothers name spellings or surnames.
Indian Passport Renewal Processing Time
If everything goes smoothly, you can expect to receive your visa within 3 to 4 business days. It’s equally important to realize that this will also not include VFS’ processing time. Besides that, if the Police Verification Report is not clear or is still pending, the processing time will be around 30 days or more. Basically, it all depends on the availability of a clear PVR in India.
On the other hand, the processing time for more complex cases, like in the cases of adoptions, applications on behalf of a minor from a single parent may be longer than usual. A major name change, duplicate passport, or doubtful documentation might approximately take 30 days or more.
| Applicant Type | Passport Validity | Passport Fee | Tatkal Fee | ICWF | VFS Fee | Total |
| 18 years and above | 10 years | $ 75.00 | $ 150.00 | $ 2.00 | $ 15.90 | $ 242.90 |
| 10 years -Jumbo Booklet | $ 100.00 | $ 150.00 | $ 2.00 | $ 15.90 | $ 267.90 | |
| Less than 15 Years | 5 years | $ 50.00 | $ 150.00 | $ 2.00 | $ 15.90 | $ 217.90 |
| Between 15 – 18 Years | 10 Years | $ 75.00 | $ 150.00 | $ 2.00 | $ 15.90 | $ 242.90 |
| 10 years -Jumbo Booklet | $ 100.00 | $ 150.00 | $ 2.00 | $ 5.90 | $ 267.90 |
Shipping: Mode Of Submission
You can send your shipment through VFS for convenience and tracking. The courier address page will be shown as a part of the Tatkal Application process on the VFS website. In fact, they do their best to make it easier for you to track your shipment and make sure that it arrives safely.
Conclusion
We hope and believe that this little piece of invaluable information related to passport renewal will definitely prove useful to you. Perhaps the next time you want to do this, you can surely rely on it and renew your passport in an effortless manner. A lot of people do not know what they should do and make a lot of mistakes while doing so. But you can cast aside your worries and just follow the aforementioned steps we have shared with you. Remember, if your Indian passport has expired in the U.S., it’s absolutely imperative for you to apply for a renewal. In the final analysis, it’s always possible and all you need to do is just contact the respective Indian consulate in the U.S.A.
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FAQs
Qus: How many days does it take to renew an Indian passport in the USA?
Ans: It usually takes 3-6 weeks if your last passport was issued in India. However, if the Indian Embassy issued your last passport (in the USA), then you can get a new passport in as little as ten days.
Qus: How many days in advance can we renew our Indian passport?
Ans: You can apply for renewal one year or 365 days before its expiry. We recommend you to apply for renewal six weeks before the final expiry of your passport if you don’t want any delays in processing at the Indian embassy.