Apply visa
Last Update: 28/05/2026
Passport renewal in India is processed as a reissue through the Passport Seva portal. There is no separate renewal category.
Apply at least 9 months before expiry. Many countries, including all Schengen member states, require 6 months of passport validity beyond your travel date.
The renewal fee in 2026 is INR 1,500 for a 36-page booklet and INR 2,000 for a 60-page booklet.
Police verification is waived for most renewals where the address has not changed and no adverse record exists.
Passports expired for more than 3 years require an additional explanation letter alongside the standard document set.
You usually notice your passport expiry date at the worst possible time, right when a trip starts feeling real. Maybe you are booking flights, checking visa rules, or pulling out old documents, only to realise your passport is expiring sooner than expected. That is when the panic search begins: How long does renewal take? Can it be done fully online? What documents are actually needed?
The good news is that passport renewal in India is far simpler in 2026 than it used to be. But even now, small mistakes can quietly delay the process. This guide covers the complete online renewal process step by step, without the confusion.
Timing is the factor most applicants get wrong. Most people wait until the passport has expired or is about to expire, but renewal at that stage creates unnecessary pressure. The ideal window to renew an Indian passport is 9 to 12 months before the expiry date.
The reason is practical rather than procedural. Standard passport renewal takes 7 to 30 working days after the PSK appointment. Add 2 to 3 days for Speed Post delivery. If police verification is triggered due to an address change, add another 15 to 30 working days on top. A passport applied for 2 months before expiry can leave a traveller without a valid document during the processing window.
Applying early also matters for visa timelines. Countries that require 6 months of passport validity beyond the date of travel which includes all Schengen member states, Japan, and several Southeast Asian countries will reject visa applications made on a passport that does not meet that threshold even if it is technically not expired.
The online passport renewal process has four main stages. Each one feeds into the next, and skipping or rushing any of them causes delays at the PSK counter.
Visit passportindia.gov.in and log in with your existing account, or register a new one using your mobile number and email address.
If you applied for your previous passport before the online system was introduced, you will need to create a fresh account. Your application history from the previous passport can be linked manually using the file number.
Select "Apply for Fresh Passport / Reissue of Passport." On the first form screen, choose "Reissue" as the application type and select the appropriate reason from the dropdown, expiry of validity, change of address, change of name, or damage.
Fill in all personal details exactly as they appear in your existing passport unless you are applying to correct or update information.
Note:
Any discrepancy between what you enter in the form and what appears in your existing passport will trigger a name or detail mismatch at the PSK counter. Fill the form as-is first, then raise correction requests separately if needed.
After completing the form, proceed to payment. Options include UPI, net banking, and debit or credit card. The system calculates the fee based on the booklet type selected. Save the payment reference number and the application reference number separately.
The portal redirects to appointment booking immediately after payment confirmation. Select your nearest Passport Seva Kendra and choose a convenient date.
Tatkal appointment slots show earlier dates if urgency is a factor. Confirm the appointment and download the printed appointment confirmation to carry to the PSK.
Arrive at the PSK at least 20 minutes before your appointment time. Security checks at most PSKs take 10 to 15 minutes.
Carry original documents and self-attested photocopies in the exact sequence listed on the Passport Seva checklist. The counter staff process applications in high volumes and a well-organised file moves significantly faster.
Renewal requires a lighter document set than a fresh application. The existing passport does most of the verification heavy lifting.
For Adults:
For Minors:
Expert Tip:
A renewed passport also opens the door to a wider set of international destinations. Applicants holding a freshly renewed booklet and planning ahead for a UK student visa application will find that having 18 to 24 months of passport validity remaining gives consular officers the runway they typically look for.
Renewal fees in India vary by booklet size, applicant age, and processing track the difference between standard and Tatkal can be as much as INR 2,500 on a single application.
| Application Type | Booklet | Fee |
Standard renewal | 36-page | INR 1,500 |
Standard renewal | 60-page | INR 2,000 |
Tatkal renewal | 36-page | INR 3,500 |
Tatkal renewal | 60-page | INR 4,000 |
Minor (below 15 years) | 36-page | INR 1,000 |
Minor Tatkal | 36-page | INR 3,000 |
VFS Global service charges of INR 150 to INR 500 may apply depending on the PSK location. These are non-refundable regardless of outcome.
Once the PSK appointment is complete, passport status can be tracked through two channels:
Standard processing stages in sequence: application received, police verification initiated (if applicable), passport printed, dispatched via Speed Post, out for delivery. The Speed Post tracking number is shared via SMS and can be monitored independently on the India Post website.
These two terms are often used interchangeably but they carry a technical distinction that matters for document preparation.
| Factor | Passport Renewal | Passport Reissuance |
Reason | Expiry of validity | Loss, damage, name change, address change |
Existing passport | Submitted at PSK | Submitted if available; FIR required if lost |
Police verification | Usually waived | May be required depending on reason |
Additional documents | Minimal | Varies by reason (FIR, marriage certificate, etc.) |
Processing time | 7 to 30 working days | Same, unless adverse record |
For travellers renewing with no change in details and an undamaged existing passport, the process is the most straightforward variant of passport reissuance.
Those planning extended international travel after renewal, including exploring visa on arrival countries for Indians, will find that a fresh 10-year booklet issued through renewal gives the longest uninterrupted window of travel readiness.
Passport renewal in India is one of the more manageable government processes when approached with the right lead time and a complete document set.
The online application takes under 30 minutes, the PSK visit rarely runs beyond an hour, and a renewed passport typically arrives within 2 weeks of the appointment.
Start 9 months before expiry, match every detail in the form to your existing passport, and the process moves exactly as it should.
Yes. The entire passport renewal process in India is initiated online through the Passport Seva portal at passportindia.gov.in. The PSK visit is required only for document verification and biometrics. There is no offline-only renewal option for standard applicants.
Yes. Your existing passport must be submitted at the PSK counter during the appointment. It is verified, stamped as cancelled, and returned to you along with your new passport once processing is complete.
The core renewal documents are your existing original passport with photocopies of the key pages, an Aadhaar card for identity, an updated address proof if your address has changed, and two recent passport size photographs. Minors additionally need a birth certificate and a signed Annexure D from both parents.
Standard processing takes 7 to 30 working days after the PSK appointment. Tatkal processing reduces this to 1 to 3 working days. Speed Post delivery adds 2 to 5 calendar days on top of processing time depending on your location.
No. Your existing passport is submitted at the PSK counter and held during processing. You will not have a valid travel document until the renewed passport is delivered. If you have an imminent travel date, apply under the Tatkal track to minimise the processing window.
Police verification is typically waived for renewals where the applicant's address has not changed and no adverse record exists. If your current address differs from the address on your existing passport, police verification may be triggered and can add 15 to 30 working days to the processing timeline.
Get flat 10% OFF
On your first visa. Use code "TEL10". T&C apply
