Indian passport renewal in UK

If you’re in the UK, but hold an Indian passport, you may need to sort out a passport renewal while in Britain. This might be because your passport has expired, been lost, or if you’ve simply run out of blank pages. If some of your personal details have changed - for example if you get married - you may also find you need to get a new Indian passport.

Renewal of Indian passports from the UK is possible, but you’ll need to do some research to make sure you have all the documents required. There are also fees to pay for the service.

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Now, back to what you came here to read.

How to renew Indian passport in the UK

The Indian government works with a company called VFS Global to offer visa and consular services to OCIs and anyone else who needs to apply for a visa or passport from overseas.

You have to apply for it personally, unless you’ve authorized an immediate family member to do it. If there’s an authority letter, your spouse or close blood relative can apply on your behalf.¹

You can’t fully renew your Indian passport in the UK online, but online application is part of the process. The online application is provided by the Indian government and you’ll do it before attending an appointment at a VFS centre.

Here are the steps you need to take:²

1. Complete the Indian passport renewal UK application form at embassy.passportindia.gov.in and print it out
2. Collect the documents, photos and other evidence you need, ready to submit your application. The documents needed vary according to your personal situation, and whether or not you still have a valid visa - more on that later
3. Next step in Indian passport renewal in the UK is to book an appointment! You can schedule it online at your closest VFS application centre, and go along to present your application and supporting documents
4. You’ll be able to track your application online, before receiving your new passport. Other options are Royal Mail tracking, DX Postal tracking and OCI Online tracking.³

It’s worth knowing that emergency travel documents might be handled differently. If you have an urgent issue - a family bereavement or medical problems for example - you should speak to the embassy for advice.

Also, if your passport got lost or stolen while in the UK and you need to leave again soon, you can get special treatment. In this case, your application may be dealt with under the Tatkal Service for an additional fee which you pay to VFS - more on the exact fee below.

Tatkal literally means ‘then and there’, meaning these applications might be passed directly to the High Commission of India, or one of the Consulate General offices, to speed them along. When you go down this route of Indian passport renewal, tracking won’t be necessary. Everything will be done in 3 to 5 working days!⁴

There have been issues with fraudsters who have also been purporting to be able to facilitate consular applications for a fee. The High Commission have warned against any such services, and instruct people to follow the rules set out on their website for applications via VFS, even if someone claims to have personal connections inside the embassy which they can use to get favourable treatment for your application. Speak to embassy staff directly if you have an urgent problem, do not pay a fee to any organisation other than VFS.⁵

What documents do I need to renew my Indian passport in the UK?

The full listings of documents required is available online on the VFS website. Some documents are mandatory for all passport applications, but there are also some pieces of evidence which may be required based on your personal situation and the specific type of application you’re making. Check the full details before you attend your meeting.

Documents required for the Indian passport renewal in the UK are the following:¹

• A printed and signed copy of the application form which has been lodged online
• Four recent passport photos
• Printed and signed declaration form
• Annexure E form, printed and completed
• PPF for police verification in India
• UK address proof

Along with this, make sure to bring a copy of the first and last page of your passport, as well as a copy of your UK Visa/biometric card. Besides the copies, you also need to have the original documents on you, for verification.¹

You might need additional paperwork based on your situation. For example, one possible situation is that you have an Indian passport which has recently expired (less than three years ago), but have a valid visa covering your stay in the UK. In that case, you’ll need to provide a letter explaining why you allowed your passport to expire and did not renew it earlier.

If you’re changing the name on your passport, you’ll be asked to provide evidence of the reason for the change - for example a marriage certificate, or evidence of divorce if you’re reverting back to your maiden name. If the reason for change is marriage, you’ll also be asked to add your spouse’s passport copy to the list of documents.¹

If your passport was lost or stolen in the UK, you’ll need to gather as much evidence as possible about the passport itself. So, the list of documents you need in this case is quite long.

It includes a copy of the document if you have one, a police report regarding your lost passport, and a letter explaining how it all happened. You might also be asked for further evidence that you’re an Indian citizen, such as your driving license, PAN card, Election ID or your Ration card.¹

However, it’s best to check for any possible updates when it comes to this situation. Not only will it inform you on any requirement changes, but it will also assure you don’t forget any document. The requirements for paperwork are fairly strict, so it’s important to review them before you head to your VFS meeting.

How much does it cost to renew a passport?

When you renew your Indian passport in the UK there will be a fee to pay. Here’s a run down of some of the most common services and the Indian passport renewal fees involved:¹

How long does it take for Indian passport renewal in the UK?

The time it’ll take to get your passport can depend on the circumstances, but there’s a fixed estimate of how long it should take. It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking to renew your passport or take out a fresh one - the waiting time is the same. The applications should be processed in 4-5 weeks.¹

In the case of lost passports, the time necessary for the passport renewal process could be longer. We’re usually talking about six to eight weeks on average, and sometimes even more. The procedure can be prolonged by many factors, like the time needed for the police to verify the passport.¹

However, once you have lodged your application you’ll also be able to easily track it using the tools on the VFS website.

To sum it up - if you need to renew your Indian passport from the UK, you’ll need to read and follow the steps set out online on the Indian High Commission website, and the VFS Global resources.

Once you have gathered the right documents and paid your fee, the application process shouldn’t be too tricky - but do leave plenty of time as it could take up to 6 or 8 weeks to get your new Indian passport. Once you submit all the necessary documents, you can track the status of your application online, so staying up-to-date will be simple.

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Sources:

*All sources checked on July 11, 2021