The Benefits of using a Diplomat Passport

In India, only a few people can avail of a diplomatic passport. These people must have
diplomatic status in India. A diplomat passport is also issued to people who work officially for
the Government of India and have to travel to different parts of the country for a governmental
job. You must know about the benefits of using a diplomat passport in India before you get going. The identity document is not issued to anybody, just like that only some people can avail of it. In simple terms, you can say that the government officials and the diplomats can use this passport to
travel abroad.

The diplomatic passport is a special passport that can be used only by government officials of a high rank. This passport makes it easy for them to travel abroad. Commonly diplomats who are stationed abroad use this passport. These passport holders can generally bypass the standard regulations that the average passport holder has to go through. When a person holds a diplomatic passport it means that they are traveling for a government job and are on official duty.

You might be thinking how you can even identify a diplomatic passport. Well, you need to know that the look of the passport depends mainly on the country issuing that passport. You can understand the significant differences between a regular and diplomatic passport easily. It is because the diplomatic passport is of different colors, and on the cover, you can also see words like a diplomatic passport.

For instance, when you see a normal passport in India, you would understand it is white in color; on the flip side, you will see red color when the passport is diplomatic. The main difference makes it easy for the officials on the border to understand whether a government official is traveling or not and gives them unique benefits.

A normal passport v/s diplomatic passport

There are some major differences between a diplomatic passport and a normal passport. For
example, the diplomatic passport means that only the high-ranking individuals from the
government are on this passport. The booklet features around 28 pages. On the flip side, the
normal passport is issued to everybody in the country, and even the VIPs are given the same
passport. The standard passport booklet features around 30 to 60 pages.

Another critical factor that differentiates a standard passport from a diplomatic passport is the
validity period. The diplomatic passport is issued only for five years or even less. On the flip
side, the ordinary passport is given for at least ten years for adults. On the flip side, a regular
passport is issued for five years for the minor.

The usage also varies between a diplomatic passport and the standard passport. The diplomatic
passport is mainly used by officials that are likely to travel abroad for official duties assigned by
the Indian government. On the other hand, ordinary passport holders use the passport for
business or personal travel. The government does not play any role in the usage of a Normal
passport.

Eligibility criteria for diplomatic passport

When you hear the term diplomatic passport in the back of your mind, you would have a query
that can you even apply for that. Well, you can apply for a diplomatic passport if you are eligible
for this passport.

• A diplomatic passport is your best bet if you are an officer working for the Indian foreign services. Whether you are traveling abroad or just working in the branch, irrespective of the case, you can get this passport
• Even if you are associated with the ministry of external affairs, you can apply for this passport. While you are traveling abroad for official work and you are related to Indian foreign service, then you can apply for a diplomatic passport.
• If you hold a diplomatic passport, then your dependent family members like your son, parents or daughter, official colleagues, or even spouse that are traveling with you are eligible for this passport.
• The family members can get this passport for other purposes or even for educational work. Moreover, they can get these diplomatic passports which can be used in all countries, including their home country
• People who already have diplomatic status can get this passport.
• All the government officials of India are eligible to get a diplomatic passport to travel abroad.

Tips for applying for a diplomatic passport

Generally, to apply for a diplomatic passport, you need to consider these steps so that you can
have a seamless process. This might have you wondering where you need to apply. The
diplomatic passport is generally applied for and accepted by the passport and visa the vision
nestled in Delhi. Check your residential address and then apply for a diplomatic passport. It
takes only around 3 to 5 working days to process the application for a diplomatic passport.

Submit these documents for diplomatic passport application

• Form P 1-A and 1.
• You have to submit at least two photos featuring a white background. You must paste them on the first and the second page, which the head of the office needs to attest across.
• PMO or political clearance is a must
• ID copy of the head of office or applicant is mandatory
• If your custody certificate is already submitted, you must submit the safe custody certificate in an original copy
• Original or current diplomatic passport
• An original cancellation certificate is mandatory if the current diplomatic passport is canceled already falling under Pv 2 section.

Just like any other passport, you also have to register yourself on the official passport Seva
portal. Then, you have to choose the option to apply for a diplomatic passport and fill in all the
essential details; once you have submitted the details, you have to take a printout of the form
and then visit the passport office.

Benefits of using a diplomatic passport

There are a plethora of diplomatic passport benefits, and some of them are mentioned here.
You might have known by now that diplomatic passports are eligible to be issued to the
diplomats. It makes identification easy as they are on a national duty representing the country or
state. It all means that they are conducting a part of diplomacy somewhere.

One of the significant benefits of having a diplomatic passport is that the holder has diplomatic
immunity which also makes identification easy for the counselor. The authorities can easily host
the country. There are also other privileges of owning a diplomatic passport. The rights are likely
to vary from one part to another, but the main object of having a diplomatic passport is its
appointment post-op.

Some of the major benefits of diplomatic passports are as follows

• When you have a diplomatic passport, the international government will give you treatment that is no less than a red carpet.
• When traveling abroad as a diplomat, you can consider making the most of the diplomatic channels available at the airport. The best of all is that there is no chance of getting delayed due to the irritating customer immigration check-ins
• You can get diplomatic immunity even by international law, the diplomat’s residence, and the office, which is extended by the status of the sovereign. It means that the diplomatic passport holder is off-limits to even agents or the governments in the home country.
• Besides enhancing your business success, the diplomatic passport can also help you improve your social status besides prestige
• As you are a diplomat, you can get your hands on a diplomatic car license number plate freely.
• When you travel with a diplomatic passport, you will enjoy free travel tax, and you don’t also have to pay taxes revolving around departure. Once you get the diplomatic passport, you are free from all the taxes that revolve around traveling by air or on land. Being a diplomat, you can easily travel from one part to another and at the same time in a budget-friendly way because you do not have to pay any taxes.
• As you are a diplomatic passport holder, you can enjoy confident movement and international activities. Traveling becomes seamless for you once you avail this passport. All the requirements and the queries that you have to generally be answerable to at the airport or reduced to a great extent. This allows you to get to your chosen destination in time. So irrespective of whether you are in a foreign country or your home country, you can take forward any activity easily.
• Even if you are going out from your chosen host country, you can not be liable for any taxes. When you get a diplomatic passport, you accept your appointment as prudent, and also, you do not have to pay any taxes that come from your income or the states except the ones falling in your host country.

Where can diplomats travel?

The diplomats can generally travel anywhere. Firstly you need to understand the eligibility
criteria before you apply for a diplomatic passport.

Fees for diplomatic passport

To apply for diplomatic passports, you do not have to pay any fees.

Can a diplomatic passport also avail an ordinary passport?

Yes, of course, a diplomatic passport holder can easily apply for a fresh or ordinary passport.
But to avail of the standard passport, they have to submit the mandatory documents.

Address proving documents

For the address proof, they need to present electricity, water, telephone, or income tax
assessment besides an active bank statement. Employer certificate of prominent companies
which must be given on a letterhead. Spouse passport copies also must if the current address
of the applicant is the same as the address mentioned in the spouse’s passport.

Proof of birth date

If you are born after 26 January 1989, then you need to submit your birth certificate that the
municipal authority issues or any other authorized body issues. Your birth certificate must
feature your birthplace name, birth date registration number, name of your parent’s sex, and the
date of registration. Your parents need to sign a plain paper declaration if your birth certificate
does not have the name. Birth certificates can be issued by an authorized body, including
municipal authorities. School leaving certificates can also be submitted, but they must be issued
from recognized schools and other educational bodies.

Surrender certificate

You need to give proof of cancellation or surrender of the official passport. A government letter
is a mask if the surrender certificate is missing. Having a diplomatic passport has many advantages. You can consider the benefits here and then decide whether you wish to apply for a diplomatic passport or not. If you are trying to get this passport, then you should always get some advice from expert consultancies.