Public Advisory regarding re-issuance of passports
Indian citizens living in India and abroad are advised to apply for urgent re-issuance of their passports in the following cases:-
(i). HANDWRITTEN PASSPORTS
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has set a deadline of the 24th November, 2015 for globally phasing out of all non-Machine Readable Passports (MRPs). From the 25th November, 2015 onwards, foreign Governments may deny Visa or entry to any person travelling on a non-Machine Readable Passport.
The Government of India has been issuing Machine Readable Passports since 2001. The Passports, however, issued before 2001 and particularly those issued during mid 1990s with a validity of 20 years will fall in the category of non-MRPs. All handwritten passports with pasted photographs are also considered non-MRPs.
By the end of November 2014, it is estimated that there are approximately 2.86 lakh handwritten passports in circulation. Approximately 6 crore Indian hold valid passports.
Indian citizens residing in India and abroad and holding such passports with validity beyond the 24th November, 2015 are advised to apply for re-issue of their passports well before the deadline in order to avoid any inconvenience in obtaining valid visa or international
(ii) PASSPORTS VALID FOR LESS THAN SIX MONTHS
Many international travellers may not realise that having an unexpired passport is sometimes not enough to obtain Visas or to enter certain foreign countries. Indian citizens travelling on Passports which may expire in less than six months should renew their passports before any upcoming international travel. It is especially important to check the passports needs of any minor who may be accompanying their parents as passports for minors have a shorter validity period (5 years) than passports for adults (10 years). The universal practice in vogue now is; “Once your passport crosses the nine-year mark, it is time to get new passport”.
(iii) EXHAUSTION OF VISA PAGES
Some countries do not accept passports which may have fewer than two pages remaining. Please check your passport to ensure that you have enough visa pages. There is no provision of additional booklets/pages and you will be required to apply reissuance of passport following standard procedures. Frequent travellers may opt for Jumbo Passport containing 64 pages.
2. All Passport Issuing Authorities have instituted a simple and fast-track procedure for renewal of passports. For more details related to passport services, website – www.passportindia.gov.in - or the National Call Centre (1800-258-1800 - Toll Free) may be accessed. Indian citizens living abroad should visit the website of respective Indian Mission/Post.
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INSIDE THE EMBASSY PREMISES, USE OF CAMERA, MOBILE PHONE AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES BY APPLICANT/VISITOR, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED
ISSUE OF DUPLICATE PASSPORT (SHORT VALIDITY PASSPORT) / EMERGENCY CERTIFICATE IN CASE OF TOURISTS AND CASUAL VISITORS:
ALL TOURIST AND CASUAL VISITORS ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT THE EMBASSY/CGI, MILAN TO OBTAIN A TEMPORARY TRAVEL DOCUMENT IN CASE OF LOSS OF THEIR TRAVEL DOCUMENT ON WEEKENDS/HOLIDAYS AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS GIVEN ON THE MISSION’S WEBSITE. REQUESTS FOR ISSUE OF TEMPORARY DOCUMENT ON WEEKENDS OR HOLIDAYS WILL BE ENTERTAINED ONLY IN SUCH CASES WHERE THE APPLICANT IS SCHEDULED TO LEAVE ITALY ON SAME SATURDAY/SUNDAY/HOLIDAY. OTHERWISE HE/SHE WILL BE ISSUED A TRAVEL DOCUMENT ONLY ON THE NEXT WORKING DAY. THE POLICE REPORT FOR THE LOST DOCUMENT SHOULD BE FILED IN ITALY IMMEDIATELY. IT IS MANDATORY TO RECORD THE PASSPORT NUMBER ON THE POLICE REPORT. POLICE REPORTS FILED OUTSIDE ITALY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ISSUE OF TEMPORARY TRAVEL DOCUMENT. ALL VISITORS ARE ALSO ADVISED TO TAKE USUAL PRECAUTIONS WHILE TRAVELING WITH REGARD TO THEIR VALUABLE BELONGINGS AND PASSPORTS. REGARDING PAYMENT FOR ISSUE OF TEMPORARY TRAVEL DOCUMENT, YOU MAY REFER TO THE FEE SCHEDULE MENTIONED ON THE WEBSITE
Phasing out of Non-Machine readable passports (Non-MRP)
Ministry of External Affairs has launched a campaign to create public awareness about Phasing out of Non-Machine readable passports from November 2015. (Copy of public notice is available here)
For more details related to passport services please visit www.passportindia.gov.in.
Consular Wing
Tel. 0039 064884642-3-4-5 - Fax 0039 064824252
e-mail cons.rome@mea.gov.in
For Passport Queries: passportquery.rome@mea.gov.in - Tel. 0039 0642016498
Indian Citizens, PIOs and OCIs within the jurisdiction of Embassy of India, Rome are requested to contact following mobile number in case of any emergency: 0039 3316142085
Applicants may forward their complaints /grievances related to Consular/Visa matters on following e-mail addresses:
HOM:amb.rome@mea.gov.in
Supervisory Officer:dcmoffice.rome@mea.gov.in
Consular Officer:cons.rome@mea.gov.in
