What is a Passport, types of passport in India, how to apply for passport, What is VISA and its types and how to apply for it and also how different people can apply for the passport and use of passport and visa as a travel documents

1. Passport and Visa as
Travel Documents
BY RAJESHWARI WAGH

2. Introduction
 Passport, a formal document or certification issued by a national government
identifying a traveler as a citizen or national with a right to protection while
abroad and a right to return to the country of citizenship.
 A visa is an official permission that a certain country needs to grant a passport
holder of another country before their visit to the former country. A visa is a
temporary authorization for a passport holder to travel to a country other than the
one he or she holds a passport of.

3. What is a Passport
 A passport is an official government document that serves as a form
of identification for international travel. It typically includes the
traveler's name, date of birth, photograph, and nationality, as well as
other personal information.
 In India, There are different types of Passport, namely, Regular
Passport, Official Passport and Diplomatic Passport

4. Types of Passport
There are 3 types of Passports in India
 Regular Passport
 Diplomatic Passport
 Official Passport
 E - Passport

5. Regular Passport of India
Regular Passport - This is the most common
type of passport issued to Indian citizens for
general travel purposes. It is also known as a
Tourist Passport and is valid for 10 years for
adults and 5 years for minors. This passport
has a blue cover.

6. Diplomatic Passport of India
 Diplomatic Passport - This type of passport is
issued to Indian diplomats, high-ranking
government officials, and their family members. It
has a maroon cover and provides certain privileges
and immunities in accordance with international
law. It has a maroon cover with golden embossing
and the words "Diplomatic Passport" written on it.

7. Official passport of India
 Official Passport - This type of passport is issued to
government officials and employees who are
traveling abroad for official business. It has a white
cover and is valid for 5 years. It has a white cover
with golden embossing and the words "Official
Passport" written on it.

8. E- Passport of India
 E – Passport :- E-passport, is also known as a biometric passport
or digital passport, is a passport that includes an embedded
electronic chip containing biometric information, such as a digital
photograph and fingerprints, as well as personal information about
the passport holder, such as their name, date of birth, and
nationality.
 The use of e-passports is intended to enhance the security and
integrity of the passport issuance process, as well as facilitate more
efficient and secure cross-border travel. The embedded electronic
chip can be scanned at border control points using specialized
readers to verify the authenticity of the passport and the identity of
the holder.
 E-passports are becoming increasingly common around the world,
with many countries adopting them as the standard for passport
issuance.

9. Documents required for a New Passport
 Proof of identity: Any one of the following documents can be submitted as proof of identity -
Aadhaar card, Voter ID card, PAN card, driving license, or government-issued photo ID card.
 Proof of address: Any one of the following documents can be submitted as proof of address -
Aadhaar card, Voter ID card, utility bill (electricity, water, telephone, gas), bank statement, rent
agreement, or government-issued address proof.
 Date of birth proof: Any one of the following documents can be submitted as proof of date of birth -
birth certificate, school leaving certificate, or any government-issued certificate.
 Recent passport-sized photographs: Two recent passport-sized photographs with a white
background are required.
 Proof of payment: A fee is required to be paid for the passport application, and proof of payment
needs to be submitted along with the application.

10. Documents required for a Minor
Passport
 Proof of identity of the minor: Any one of the following documents can be submitted as
proof of identity - birth certificate, Aadhaar card, or school ID card.
 Proof of address of the minor: Any one of the following documents can be submitted as
proof of address - birth certificate, Aadhaar card, or school ID card.
 Proof of parents' identity: Any one of the following documents can be submitted as proof of
identity of either parent - Aadhaar card, Voter ID card, PAN card, or passport.
 Proof of parents' address: Any one of the following documents can be submitted as proof of
address of either parent - Aadhaar card, Voter ID card, utility bill (electricity, water,
telephone, gas), bank statement, or rent agreement.

11. Documents required for a Minor
Passport
 Date of birth proof of the minor: Any one of the following documents can be
submitted as proof of date of birth - birth certificate, school leaving certificate, or
any government-issued certificate.
 Recent passport-sized photographs: Two recent passport-sized photographs with a
white background are required.
 Annexure H: Annexure H is a declaration that needs to be signed by both parents or
legal guardians of the minor, giving their consent for the minor to apply for a
passport.

12. Documents required for reissue of
Passport
 Old passport: The applicant needs to submit their old passport, which should be
valid or expired for less than three years.
 Proof of address: Any one of the following documents can be submitted as proof
of address - Aadhaar card, Voter ID card, utility bill (electricity, water, telephone,
gas), bank statement, rent agreement, or government-issued address proof.
 Proof of payment: A fee is required to be paid for the passport application, and
proof of payment needs to be submitted along with the application.

13. Documents required for reissue of
Passport
 Recent passport-sized photographs: Two recent passport-sized photographs with a white
background are required.
 Annexure E or ECNR: If the applicant is above 18 years of age and has not completed 10th
standard, they need to submit Annexure E. If the applicant is above 18 years of age and has
completed 10th standard or above, they need to submit Annexure ECNR.
 Change in personal particulars: If there is any change in personal particulars such as name,
address, or date of birth, relevant documents such as marriage certificate, divorce decree, or
name change certificate need to be submitted.

14. How to apply for a passport
 To apply for fresh or reissue of passport via Online Form Submission, users need to register on Passport Seva
Portal
 After registering, login to the Passport Seva Portal
 Click on Apply for Fresh Passport or Reissue of Passport link
 Fill in the required details in the form and submit
 After submitting the form for fresh or reissue of Passport, click the "Pay and Schedule Appointment" link to
schedule an appointment at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)
 Search for Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) location and select your PSK
 After booking the appointment at selected PSK, you can make an online payment through Credit/Debit Card
(MasterCard & Visa), Internet Banking (State Bank of India (SBI) and Associate Banks Only) or SBI Bank Challan

15. How to apply for a Passport
 You can calculate the fee for passport services through Online Fee Calculator
 Users can take print of the application receipt containing Application Reference
Number (ARN) or Appointment Number
 Visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) where appointment has been booked, along
with original documents- External website that opens in a new window such as
Proof of Date of Birth, Identity proof with a photograph, Proof of Residence and
Proof of nationality

16. VISA
 A visa, on the other hand, is a document that is typically
issued by a country's embassy or consulate in the
traveler's home country, and it allows the traveler to enter
and stay in that country for a specific period of time. Visas
may be required for certain types of travel or for travel to
certain countries, depending on the traveler's nationality
and the purpose of their trip.
 Visa Stands for Visitor’s Intended to Stay Abroad.
 The visa specifies the conditions under which a traveler
may enter that country.
 The visa requirements vary from country to country.

17. Types of VISA
 Tourist visa: Allows for temporary travel to a country for tourism or leisure purposes.
 Business visa: Allows for temporary travel to a country for business purposes, such as attending a
conference, meeting with clients, or negotiating a business deal.
 Student visa: Allows for temporary travel to a country for educational purposes, such as attending a
university or language school.
 Work visa: Allows for temporary travel to a country for employment purposes, such as working for a
company or organization.
 Family/Spouse visa: Allows for temporary travel to a country to join a family member or spouse who
is already residing in that country.
 Transit visa: Allows for temporary travel through a country to reach another destination.
 Medical visa: Allows for temporary travel to a country for medical treatment or medical procedures.

18. Types of VISA
 Researcher Visa : A Research visa is issued for pursuing a course of research in a recognized
educational institution in any country. A detailed set of documents will have to be produced by the
applicant regarding the area of research and other particulars.
 Conference Visa Conference visas are issued to individuals whose sole objective is to visit any
country to attend a conference/ seminar or workshop being held in any country.
 Intern (I) Visa It will be applicable for any nationals intending to pursue internship in any companies
located in any country, educational institutions and NGOs.
 Film (F) Visa This category visa would be applicable for any nationals who propose to go to any
country for shooting of a feature film, reality TV show and/or commercial TV serials.
 Schenzen Visa : Schengen visa is an official document mandatory for some non-Europeans to travel
to all the 27 countries which are part of the Schengen area.

19. Visa free Countries for Indian
Citizen
 Bhutan
 Dominica
 Ecuador
 El Salvador
 Fiji
 Grenada
 Haiti
 Jamaica
 Maldives

20. Visa free Countries for Indian
Citizen
 Mauritius
 Micronesia
 Nepal
 Niue
 Saint Kitts and Nevis
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
 Senegal
 Serbia
 Trinidad and Tobago
 Vanuatu

21. Visa on Arrival Countries for Indian
Citizen
 Cambodia
 Indonesia
 Jordan
 Laos
 Maldives
 Mauritius
 Nepal
 Oman
 Seychelles
 Thailand
 Timor-Leste

22. How to apply for a Visa
 Determine the type of visa you need: Visit the website of the embassy or consulate of the
country you wish to visit to determine the type of visa you need. Most countries provide
information on the different types of visas they offer, as well as the requirements for each
one.
 Gather the necessary documents: Once you know the type of visa you need, gather all the
necessary documents, such as your passport, photographs, and any supporting documents
such as a letter of invitation, bank statements, or proof of employment.

23. How to apply for a Visa
 Fill out the application: Complete the visa application form, which can usually be found on the website of the
embassy or consulate of the country you wish to visit. Be sure to fill out all sections of the application form
completely and accurately.
 Pay the visa fee: Most countries require a fee to be paid when submitting a visa application. This fee can vary
depending on the country and the type of visa you are applying for.
 Submit your application: Once you have completed the application and gathered all necessary documents, submit
your application to the embassy or consulate. You may be required to submit your application in person, by mail,
or through an online system

24. How to apply for a Visa
 Wait for processing: After submitting your application, you will need to wait for the embassy or
consulate to process your application. This can take several days to several weeks depending on
the country and the type of visa you are applying for.
 Attend any necessary interviews or appointments: Depending on the country and the type of visa
you are applying for, you may be required to attend an interview or provide biometric information.
 Receive your visa: If your visa application is approved, you will receive your visa either by mail or in
person at the embassy or consulate.

25. Conclusion
 Passports are a form of legitimate identity, mainly because of the procedure that
people must follow in order to get one. Most countries require an original birth
certificate as proof of citizenship and identification. There is also a fee and a waiting
period, along with other requirements. This process ensures that people applying are
able to supply positive identification.
 The true reason behind passports and visas are to protect the people living in their
native countries from foreigners who may be terrorists or illegal immigrants that
cannot provide proof of their national origin. They have been in use for decades, and
have proven to be an effective way to help keep unwanted visitors out.