It has been seen that more people, especially the seniors are travelling abroad. It could be that their kids are working or settled there and they are just visiting. But there are also a good number of people, who are travelling to see the world. It is also true, that the financial status of people has improved a lot as compared to earlier times, especially in the urban areas. So, senior citizens are mostly independent and can afford to travel on their own. If you would like to explore a foreign holiday of your own, then it is time to get a passport.
The Indian government has made it easier for senior citizens to get a passport. And you may also find exclusive senior packages and discounts. So, go ahead and check out how you can get your passport and take that first holiday abroad.
The process
The process is much simpler for seniors as they are not required to take prior appointments like the other citizens. They can walk-in to any Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). For this, the senior citizen is considered above 65 years of age. Only for J & K residents, the age for men above 65 years and for women, above 60 years.
How to apply?
The passport issued to a senior citizen will be an ordinary one and not a special one. The passport will be issued with a validity of 10 years. The best part is that the passport can be issued on a post police verification basis, to make it faster. The only hitch is that you need to be present in person at the PSK and someone else cannot complete the process for you. The application can be filled online and the associated fees can be paid as well.
Just make sure that you carry the ARN (application reference number) when you walk into the PSK. Usually, the PSK is open Monday to Friday from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. There is a lunch break of an hour from 1.30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Also, tokens will be issued only up to 4 p.m.
The form is the ordinary passport application form that can be downloaded from any passport site. You can then proceed to fill it up and submit it online on the Passport Seva site. If you are not familiar with the Internet and online, you can even visit the PSK, ask for a form, fill it up and submit.
Documents needed
The site (www.passportindia.gov.in/) lists out the documents needed to be submitted for the issuance of the passport. This may keep changing from time to time and you need to check it before submitting. If you are applying for the first time, then Aadhar card, Voter ID, PAN and an affidavit in the Annexure-I format, along with the passport application can be provided. You can then be issued the passport faster on the post police verification basis. The APO/RPO is the final decision maker in all passport issuance related decisions, and may at times, ask for any additional documents.
Proof of address of current residence – For this, Aadhaar card, electricity bill, water bill, telephone bill (landline or mobile postpaid), gas connection proof, IT returns proof, valid rent agreement, employer certification or photo passbook of the bank account can be submitted.
Date of birth proof – Valid birth certificate, valid SSLC (Xth) certificate or a sworn affidavit by a notary or a magistrate as per Annexure A can be submitted for this.
The standard affidavit which is part of Annexure 1 has to be mandatorily submitted.
Verification certificate as per Annexure F or a copy of your child’s passport who is staying abroad and is above 18 years of age should be submitted along with the other documents.
There are a few other documents that are accepted. If you have any doubts, you can visit the PSK once, and get this confirmed.
Other aspects
There is no fee concession for senior citizens and it is the same as others and varies depending on the number of pages required in the passport booklet. The fee also differs based on whether you are applying via the normal scheme or the tatkal scheme. Typically it varies from Rs.1500 for a 36-page normal passport to Rs. 6000 for a 60-page tatkal passport.
Once the documents are submitted, the government has put provisions in place to issue passports fast to the senior citizens. They are not troubled or made to stand in queues and the process is faster than that of other citizens. The status can be checked online.
Nice information
I am a regular reader of samarth. Sometimes it gives some relaxations. Anyhow it is necessary to go with you samarth, as I am 67.