Indian Passport Renewal In USA | A Complete Guide 2023

Posted on 24th Jun, 2022 by Navneet Kaur , Updated 2 days ago

Do you know the process of Indian passport renewal in USA? If yes, then you are in luck! If not, then we can say that as an Indian citizen residing in the United States, you may need to renew your India passport in the US at any time. The process can be a little confusing, but we are here to help. In this blog post, we will walk you through the steps to renew an Indian passport in the USA.

The Indian passport renewal process in the United States can be completed in a few simple steps. Firstly, the applicant has to collect the required documents. These include a completed application form, recent passport photographs, and proof of identity and citizenship. After that, the applicant has to submit the documents to the nearest Indian Consulate. The Consulate will review the application and issue a new passport. In this way, the whole process will be completed smoothly.

Who Should Renew Their Indian Passport And Why?

Suppose you are an Indian passport holder and have been living or working in the United States on a visa for several years. In that case, you may need to apply for a new passport or a valid extension if your current passport is expiring or if all pages are filled. The good news is that you don’t have to travel to India in order to renew your passport or get a new one. You can apply for your Indian passport renewal through VFS Global while you’re in the United States. VFS Global offers Indian passport renewal services for those based in the United States.

Note: Indian Passport renewal service is not available for B1/B2 visa holders and temporary visitors to the USA.

How To Apply For Indian Passport Renewal In USA

If you need to renew Indian passport in USA, you can do so through VFS Global. They have been the service provider for the Embassy of India, Washington DC, and the Indian consulates in the USA since 04 November 2020. Here are a few key points about the renewal process to keep in mind.

• VFS Global handles all passport services for Indian citizens. The Indian consulates don’t accept passport applications or requests directly. 
• Any correspondence or applications related to renewing Indian passport in USA must be made through VFS Global.
• Moreover, suppose you live in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Bermuda, Kentucky, North Carolina, Maryland, or Virginia. In that case, you can apply for your Indian passport renewal by visiting the VFS Global official website. 
• You can fill out an online Order Form to streamline the application process. The application must include a copy of the form, which will enable Indian passport renewal application tracking. You can choose to apply by post or in person, and operational timing is Monday – Friday, 8:00 to 20:00 hours EST.

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What is the Process of Indian Passport Renewal In USA?

Although the process for Indian passport renewal in USA is similar to that of applying for a new passport, some steps still need to be completed. Filling out and submitting the form on the Passport Seva Portal is not the only thing that needs to be done. You must also submit a physical application form to the VFS India Consular Application Center in the United States. Keep in mind that you will need to follow these steps in order to renew Indian passport in USA:

• You can begin the process of getting your passport by completing an online application form on the website of Passport Seva. This can be done at any Indian Embassy or Consulate.
• Make sure you select the right service and fill out the form carefully. You can use the Sample Government online application form as a guide if you need help.
• After you finish filling out the form on the Passport Seva Portal, write down the “Application Reference Number” (ARN), and take a printout of it.
• Finally, to continue with the next steps in the submission process, visit the VFS website.

Documents Required For Renewal of Indian Passport in the USA

The following documents are required for Indian passport renewal in United States of America:

• Before submitting the form, please ensure that you have completed the Indian passport renewal in USA checklist and arranged the required documents correctly. The applicant must sign the form.
• Kindly submit three copies of the completed Nationality Verification Form and three photographs for the Personal Particulars Form. 
• For your passport application, you will need to submit three recent color photographs measuring 2 inches by 2 inches. If your passport has expired for more than three years, you will need to submit a total of eight photographs. Glue one photograph to the first page of the online application form in the space provided. The second photograph will need to be glued to the Nationality Verification Form, and the remaining photographs should be stapled to the last page of the application form. 
• In order to process your request, provide a notarized color copy of your Green Card or Employment Authorization card or a copy of your legal status in the US, such as an H1B/B1/B2 Visa.
• In order to correctly process your application, ensure that you have attached both your current passport and any previous passports that are less than five years old. 
• Also, attach photocopies of the first five pages and the last two pages of your current passport.
• The highest degree of educational qualification must be submitted as a copy of the degree.
• In order to verify your US address, you must submit documentation such as a Rental Lease Agreement or Home Mortgage Bill. Alternatively, any utility bills (electricity/ gas/ water/ landline telephone bill – no more than three months old) can also be used. Lastly, a driver’s license or State ID can also serve as proof.
• To prove your Indian address, you can provide any of the following documents: an Aadhaar card, driver’s license, an Indian utility bill (no more than three months old), a recent bank statement, etc.
• If you apply after ten years, you will need to sign and print out this change of appearance form.
• In order to process your request, submit a copy of your birth certificate or school leaving certificate.
• If you are applying for a child passport renewal, you must provide additional documents. These include a birth certificate, proof of citizenship, and a parental consent form. 

Important Note – You may need to submit additional documents, so it is advisable to check with the Embassy/Passport Application Center/Consulate in your area to see what else is needed.

Indian Passport Renewal In USA Fees

For Regular Passport Renewal In USA For Indian

India Passport Re-issuance Fee In Case Of Loss Or Damage

Important Note – This service is not eligible for Tatkal Passport Renewal.

Key Points To Keep In Mind

• Note that a convenience fee of 3.5% will be applied to all online and card payments. VFS only accepts MasterCard, Visa, and Discover.
• In order to avoid any delays in processing your application, be sure to pay the entire fee. You can pay with a credit card, but convenience charges will apply. 
• Unfortunately, VFS is not responsible for delays or consequential charges if the fee is not paid in full.

What Do You Need To Know About Indian Passport Renewal In USA?

• In accordance with the ICAO’s regulations, only machine-readable passports are now accepted for international travel. This change will help streamline the travel process and make it more efficient.
• You can get a new passport when your existing one is full. You can get it up to a year before it expires or on the final expiry date.
• Additionally, your Indian passport is valid for ten years from the date of issue. You can apply for a new passport up to one year before expiration. It’s always best to apply as early as possible to avoid any issues. If your passport is due to expire but hasn’t reached its 10-year limit, you should also apply early for renewal.
• It’s easy to apply for an Indian passport renewal in USA online! The Government of India has developed an online uniform across all Indian Missions, so you’ll have no trouble getting your passport no matter where you are.

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Indian Passport Re-issuance Guidelines For Shipping And Packaging

• VFS offers courier service via FedEx to make paying fees easy and convenient. You can select and pay for the service when you pay your fees online on the VFS website.
• To ensure that your application is processed as quickly as possible, you only need to include one application per package. Also, the maximum weight limit per package is 0.5 lbs.
• Moreover, pick-up and delivery services are not included in the application price. If you use any additional service, make a separate payment directly to FedEx. When sending your application, you may only use FedEx Pak, FedEx Envelope, or FedEx Reusable Envelope packaging. If you use any other type of packaging, additional charges will apply, and you will need to pay them before your application is processed.
• You must provide a return shipping address that matches the proof of address you submitted as part of your application.
• Notably, VFS is not liable for any delays or damage to packages during transit for inbound or outbound couriers. 
• The return address on the shipping label must match the address on the application form. FedEx prepaid labels are not acceptable. Shipping addresses of Courier stores or Held at Location stations will not be accepted.
• The sender’s responsibility is to track their package and schedule a pickup from the VFS Consular application Centre once it is ready. VFS does not accept USPS prepaid labels with expiry date limitations and cannot guarantee the collection of your shipment by any other service provider.

What If Your Documents Are Incomplete?

The VFS will return your application unprocessed if it is not completed within 20 calendar days. If you have applied for a refund of your Consular or ICWF fee, you will be refunded the amount minus any applicable postal charges. Any photocopied documents received after the required timeframe will be shredded, and originals will be returned to the Embassy of India or Consulate General. Applicants should contact the Embassy of India or Consulate-General to receive their original documents once VFS has returned them.

What If You Forget To Submit Your Additional Documents?

If you fail to provide the required documents within seven days, your application may be suspended, and no fees will be refunded.

Where To Apply For Renewal of Indian Passport in USA?

Renewal of Indian Passport – Tatkal Service

The Tatkal Passport Service is an emergency passport service available to all applicants residing in the USA with a valid passport and a valid visa status. This service is designed to help those who need a passport urgently, and it is available for various categories of applicants.

The Tatkal Passport Scheme is open to most applicants. However, the following categories of applicants are not eligible to apply under the scheme:

• Those who have lost or had their passport stolen or have a passport damaged beyond recognition.
• Those who need to renew a Short Validity Passport (SVP).
• Those who need to change their name, sex, or appearance (minors can apply).
• Those who need to change or correct their date of birth, place, or signature (minors can apply).
• Those who need to change their fathers or mothers.

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Indian Passport Renewal Processing Time 

If everything goes smoothly, you can expect to receive your visa within 3 to 4 business days (excluding VFS’ processing time). However, if the Police Verification Report (PVR) is not clear or still pending, the processing time will probably be around 30 days or more (excluding VFS’ processing time). It all depends on the availability of a clear PVR from the authorities in India.

The processing time for more complex cases, like adoptions, applications on behalf of a minor from a single parent, a major name change, duplicate passport, or doubtful documentation, will be approximately 30 days or more (excluding VFS’s processing time).

Tatkal Passport Renewal Fee

Mode Of Submission: Shipping

You should purchase your shipment through VFS for tracking and convenience. The courier address page will appear as a part of the Tatkal Application process on the VFS website. VFS makes it easy for you to track your shipment and ensure it arrives safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

A: The renewal of Indian passport will take 3-6 weeks if your last passport was issued in India. However, if the Indian Embassy in the USA issued your last passport, you can get a new passport in as little as ten days.

A: If the passport has expired for less than six months, the applicant will need to provide a letter explaining why the passport was not renewed in the required timeframe. If the passport has expired for more than six months, the applicant must provide a notarized affidavit and seven copies of the Nationality Verification Form.

A: You can apply for your passport renewal one year or 365 days before its expiry. We recommend applying for renewal six weeks before the final expiry of your passport to avoid any delays in processing at the Indian embassy.

Assuming that you have read and understood the information we have provided on Indian passport renewal in USA, we hope that you will be able to apply for the renewal of your passport easily. If you are interested in exploring more topics, do visit our website.

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About Navneet | View Posts

Navneet Kaur is a Professional Content Writer with 5+ years of experience, she started her career as a Content Writer. Apart from having good knowledge of marketing and business, she firmly believes in dreaming big and making them come true. She lives with a passion to explore and learn about adventure, destinations, history and live events happening around. Including her travel writing skills, she has also written about places, arts and entertainment, personal experiences, nature and its beauty, etc.