Passport validity – Why do Indian passport expire in 10 years
As you might know by now that if you want to travel anywhere outside your home country, then you need to have a valid passport. You need to understand passport is valid for how many years in India? The easy answer to this is that an Indian passport is valid for around 10 years. You can continue the benefits of your passport if you renew it on time, that is, before the 10-year expiration term or after the validity is over. A passport is generally known as identity proof besides the proof of age and residence. A passport is very important because you need it on different occasions throughout your life.
When is a passport valid in India?
The Indian passport validity plays a crucial role, so you should know about it before you apply for the passport. The passport in India is allocated for around 10 years or 5 years. You might have the question, why do Indian passports expire in 10 years. Whether you apply for a normal passport or a tatkal passport, validity doesn’t change at all. You must know that the International Civil Aviation Organization is the global organization that is responsible for settings the passport standard, and they also recommend which passport would be valid for 10 years or more.
Hence the passport validity in India is 5 years or 10 years.
The passport validity is only 10 years and not beyond that because the concerned authority understands the durability timeline of the document is limited and also the appearance changes of the passport holder with time. You might have a question at the back of your mind why is such validity only for the Indian passport? Then you should know that there is a reason behind it. It is the biometric information on your passport that will be outdated after a point of time which is the only reason the passports are likely to expire because the technology underlying would be changed, and there would not be several legacy passports in circulation.
In the 1990s, the external affairs ministry ensured that the passport validity in India was for at least 20 years. These passports were not printed, but initially, they were handwritten. Currently, passports are issued by machine-readable technology. Where the computer scan will go through the machine-readable passport, and all the details of the document will go with a click of a button, and the software will check the logic-based information. If you have a handwritten passport, then you have to get the machine variable document instantly reissued.
Your passport becomes invalid if you are someone who would end up changing residence frequently and your residential address. Additionally, your facial features are also likely to change with time. You need to keep that in mind so you will have a clear point why the passports are likely to expire in just 10 years.
The best part about expiring passports is that they can help minimize the number of lost, stolen, or forged passports that go from circulation to expiry, but they are likely to be in circulation, and they enforce the new anti-forgery rules for the new passport.
Passports, including documents, are also subjected to be reviewed periodically. Some people get the passports just to get them, and after their sad demise, the data continues to be in the system. If there is no renewal or reissue of the passport, then the passport becomes dormant whenever there is time for renewal after 10 years of expiry. It will perhaps be removed from the system after a given timeline. Hence you might be clear about the passport is valid for how many years in India question.
What can you do with an expired passport?
As you know the Indian passport validity which is around 10 years or 5 years. As the passport has expired, you need to renew them. Once all the passports are expired, you need to keep them. During the visa stamping for the validation process or even for general evaluation, you would be required to submit all your previous passports. Hence you should ensure that all your passports are safe all the time because you could be asked for them at any time.
Passport renewal is your go to option
As you know, why do Indian passports expire in 10 years passport renewal is your go-to option, undoubtedly. You can learn about the process of renewing your passport online and offline by reading ahead.
Renewing your passport online
You need to create an account on the official website of the passport Seva.
Visit the official website first, and choose the option of new user registration.
You have to choose the option of the passport office and ensure that you choose the one that is near to your residential address.
After that, you have to enter all the details, including the name, and email ID, and create a new ID and password. Registered by submitting all the data.
Once you submit it, you can get the account activation link on your registered email ID. Click on the option to activate the account.
Once this procedure is over, you can apply for a fresh passport or even bring the existing one. Hence you are all set for the renewal procedure online.
Follow the steps mentioned here to renew your passport
Visit the official portal and choose the option for the reissue of your passport.
Click on the option to validate once the form is filled.
Upload the form once the details are verified.
If you do not wish to fill out the form online, you can also download it and then upload it after filling it out
Documents required for passport renewal
There are some documents that you have to submit while you are going for your passport renewal.
If you are an adult, then you have to take your old passport and intimation letter and no objection certificates.
Don’t forget to carry the self-attested copies of the first and the last page of the passport besides the validity extension featuring a short validity passport. Also, have a copy of the page of observation that the passport issuing authority offers.
If you are applying on behalf of the minor applicant, then you need to Carrie documents like the current passport size photograph, and the background should always be in white color. You have to submit your residential address on behalf of the minor child and also attest all the documents on behalf of your child.
Additionally, you need to know that documents might vary depending on the passport application type.
Tips for scheduling the passport renewal appointment
As you know the passport validity in India, you need to understand the steps to schedule the passport renewal appointment.
You have to first log in to the website having your user ID and the password.
You need to choose the same time or submit the application and choose your option to pay and schedule the appointment.
You can make an online appointment once the appointment is scheduled. Additionally, the fees are different for both normal and tatkal, so you can choose the one as per your feasibility.
You can make the payment through net banking or by using your card.
Don’t forget to print your application received, as this will include the application refills number and all the appointments number.
Once you apply for your passport renewal, you can also track the status of the passport. You just need to enter all the application details like the birth date, application file number, or type and then choose the option to track the status. You have to carry your passport irrespective of the fact why you are traveling or where you are traveling. You should go for the renewal process as soon as possible once your passport has expired.
FAQ’S (Frequently Asked Questions)
When can you apply for the renewal of your passport?
You can apply for the renewal at least 9 to 12 months before your passport is likely to expire.
Do you have to go for passport renewal through an agent, or can you do it yourself?
You can either ask your agents to complete the process, or you can do it all by yourself.
