How To Apply Short Validity Passport ?

Short Validity Passport or SVP is issued for a limited period and only in certain situations. An SVP may be issued for the following cases:

• For Students: During an urgency, students can apply for an SVP by producing admission letters if they have to appear in examinations like TOEFL, SAT, etc. for which a valid passport is mandatory. Such types of application can be processed under the Tatkaal Scheme. However, the verification certificate as prescribed, as well as the proof of urgency must be furnished to the Passport Office.

• For Non-delivery of Passport: In case the passport is not delivered to the applicant due to its loss in transit or at the post offices, an SVP may be issued to the applicant if it is urgent. The validity of such passports are to be extended to a full term when the applicant completes all the formalities.

• For Indians, Residing Overseas: People who live abroad and are visiting India for a brief period may also be issued an SVP immediately. Such a passport will remain valid only for a year. It is mandatory for the applicant to produce their return ticket to the country from which they have come, along with an identity proof, such as driving license, a Green Card, an employment permit, a social security card, a health card, a labor card etc., to prove the applicant's identity and nationality. In case the application is made for the issue of a duplicate passport in lieu of a damaged passport, then the damaged passport may be accepted as proof of identity, provided that the personal particulars are clearly visible and legible.

• For Criminal Cases: In case of an active yet pending criminal case against the applicant in any Court, the applicant may be issued an SVP. However, a written permission granted by the court, which states that the person is allowed to travel abroad, must be submitted along with the application. Normally, an SVP is valid for only for a year.

Documents for an SVP

If you wish to apply for a Short Validity Passport, you may choose a normal or a tatkal application if you are eligible for it. Here are the various documents you might need to submit:

• Address proof - Any one document from the following list can be submitted:

  1. Passbook of an active bank account which contains a photograph.

  2. Rental agreement.

  3. Aadhaar card.

  4. Election Photo ID card.

  5. Certificate from the Employer on the letterhead of reputed companies.

  6. Proof of Gas Connection.

  7. Electricity Bill.

  8. Income Tax Assessment Order.

  9. Water bill.

  10. Landline or Postpaid mobile bill.

• Age proof - Any one document from the following list can be submitted:

  1. Birth certificate (from the Registrar of Births and Deaths).

  2. Birth certificate (issued by the Municipal Corporation).

  3. If the applicant is an orphan, the declaration from the Head of the Orphanage or Child Care Home on the official letterhead confirming his/her date of birth.

  4. Driving license.

  5. Election Photo Identity Card.

  6. PAN Card.

  7. Aadhaar card or e-Aadhaar

  8. Present or ex-government employees may provide copies of their Service Record or Pay Pension Order (for retired government servants) duly attested by the officer or in-charge of the concerned Ministry or department.

  9. Policy Bonds that are issued by the Public Life Insurance.

  10. School leaving certificate or Secondary certificate containing the date of birth.

• Minor applicants need to provide the following documents as well while applying for a fresh passport:

  1. Copies of the first and the last page of Parent’s passport.

  2. Any of the address proofs of Parents.

  3. Birth certificate or any of the other documents that work as an age proof from the list mentioned above.

• Additionally, annexures (wherever applicable) may also be required to be submitted along with the application form.

Application Process for Short Validity Passport

The application procedure for obtaining a Short Validity Passport is given below:

For applicants applying from India:

• Applicants must log on to the passport India website. They must register as a new user if they are not already registered on the site.

• Applicants have to select the type of passport and also the type of submission (Normal/Tatkal).

• Next, the applicant should fill up the application form and submit it.

• The next step would be to pay the required fee and book an appointment for a tatkal passport application.

• Finally, the applicant has to visit the Passport Seva Kendra with all the required documents at the scheduled time.

• Upon successful scrutiny and verification of the documents, the passport will be issued within 1-3 days.

• The applicant has to collect the passport in person from the PSK.

For overseas applicants:

• Applicants must submit the application form and the required documents at an Indian Consulate in the country of residence in person.

• The passport will be issued only upon successful payment of the processing fee and the verification of the documents.

• The passport has to be collected in person from the Consulate or the designated center.

Fee Structure for SVPs

The processing fee for an SVP is mentioned below:

• Normal category- Rs. 1,000

• Tatkal category- Rs.3,000

The Validity of SVPs

An SVP is valid for a period ranging from 1 year to 5 years. It depends on the type of application and also on the circumstances. Most Short Validity Passports are issued for a period of 1 year only.

Renewal of SVPs

The renewal of Short Validity Passports is entirely at the discretion of the Assistant Passport Officer. A Short Validity Passport can be renewed for a maximum period of 10 years. It can be converted to a regular passport if the applicant meets the eligibility criteria and provides the required documents.