High Commission of India, Ottawa, Canada

Passport Services

Please note that we have outsourced our Passport Services to our outsourcing agents, BLS International. You are required to contact them directly for depositing your forms and fees. All your queries may also be directed to their staff. Their office addresses, timings, phone numbers and e-mail address can be found by clicking here In addition to the fee mentioned on this page, you will be required to pay processing fee to BLS International separately. Please consult them about the total cost and the exact procedure for remitting the fee.

GENERAL

Your Indian Passport is a valuable document. It should always be either in your own custody or in the custody of a person duly authorized by you. If lost or destroyed, the fact and circumstances should be immediately reported to the nearest Mission and to the local police.

We suggest that you keep photocopy of your Indian Passport in a safe place, separate from the passport. The photocopy should include the pages showing the personal particulars, validity of the passport, date/place of issue as also the stamp of departure from India, entry in Canada and visa issued by the Canadian authorities. Best would be that you take a computer scan of the Passport and e-mail the scanned copy to yourself. This way it will be available to you at all times and at all places.

Your Indian Passport establishes your identity in a foreign country. Hence it is IMPORTANT to have it re-issued before the date of expiry. The passport can be submitted for re-issue up to one year before the date of expiry.

All minors are required to have a separate passport. Old practice of including a child's name in the Passport of either of the parents has been discontinued.

On acquiring Canadian nationality, the Indian passport should be submitted to the nearest Indian High Commission/Consulate for cancellation. It is returned to the holder after cancellation. Use of Indian Passport for travel to India after acquiring any foreign nationality is an offence and invites penalty. After acquiring Canadian citizenship, you do not remain an Indian citizen and need Indian visa to visit India.

It is an offence under the Passport Act, 1967 to knowingly furnish false information or suppress material information. Passport facilities can be denied on grounds of suppression of factual information, submission of false particulars, willful damage, tampering of official documents or entries or transferring of passport.

A new Passport can be issued one year before final expiry or on final expiry of any Passport issued for full validity of 10 years(5 years in the case of minors).

Passport Service to Refugees

As a general rule, Passport Services (and many other services such as OCI card) are restricted to refugees or asylum seekers and each case is dealt on its merit. 

PROCESSING TIME

Issue of a Passport requires 3 to 4 weeks of processing time. All new passports have to be Machine Readable Passports (MRPs) as distinguished from hand written Passports which were being issued in the past. The MRPs are printed at the central printing facility in New Delhi on first-come-first-serve basis; and thereafter received at this High Commission in Ottawa by post for onward dispatch to the applicants. Therefore, it is not possible for us to reduce the processing time. We request the applicants to be patient after submitting their application. We would not be able to respond to requests to expedite issue of Passport as we attend to applicants on first-come-first-serve basis.

The processing time indicated above is for a normal case. Following are some of the situations when processing can take longer time:

--Documents enclosed with the application are incomplete.

--The application form is incomplete or illegible.

--The photographs are not proper/clear.

--Existing Passport is a handwritten passport requiring physical verification of old records from the office of the Passport Issuing Authority.

--Lost and damaged Passport cases.

There is no provision for Emergency/Tatkal Processing of Passport in the High Commission.

FEE SCHEDULE

Fee once paid is not refundable. In addition to the fee mentioned below, you will be required to pay processing fee to our outsourcing agents, BLS International. Their office addresses, timings, phone numbers and e-mail address can be clicking here Please consult them about the total cost and the exact procedure for applying and for remitting the fee.

The Passport fee has been revised w.e.f. 01.09.2017 as under :

The following will be the Passport fee rate with immediate effect:

Annexures/Affidavits

For download Passport related Annexures/Affidavits:

Identity Certificate (Annexure “A”)

Verification Certificate as per specimen (Annexure “B”)

Declaration of Parents/Guardian for Minor Passports (one parents not given consent) (Annexure “C”)

Declaration of Parents/Guardian for Minor Passports (Annexure “D”)

Standard Affidavit to be submit by all applicant (Annexure “E”)

Specimen Affidavit for passport in lieu of lost/damaged passport (Annexure “F”)

No objection Certificate  (Annexure “G”)

Prior intimation Letter (Annexure “H”)

A declaration affirming the particulars furnished in the application about the minor (Annexure “I”)

Authority Letter. (Click here)

Affidavit – non renewal of passport more than one year  (Click here)

Affidavit for change of appearance (Click here)

Four copies of duly filled in Personal Particulars Form (click here).

RE-ISSUE OF PASSPORT

Re-issue of Passport is required when the old passport has completed its validity from the date of issue. One can also apply for re-issue of when a new booklet is necessitated on account of change in basic particulars like name, appearance, seeking amendment in date of birth etc. or when all the pages have been used.

NOTICE : Indian citizens residing in India and abroad and holding non-Machine Readable Passports (handwritten passports) with validity beyond the 24^th November, 2015 are advised to apply for re-issue of passports.

Requirements

Fill in online registration form at at http://passport.gov.in/nri/? this will generate a PDF file.

Please note:

If additional changes are required in new passport such as change in name, spouse name etc, read the information under Misc Passport Services and attach the additional required documents alongwith above set of documents.

If original PR card or other resident permit (Student/Work permit) is not submitted by resident of Canada:

A self-attested statement regarding non-acquisition of Canadian nationality is to be submitted along with a Search Letter from the Canadian authorities that applicant has not acquired Canadian citizenship.

Additional requirement in cases for re-issue of Passport when the existing passport has expired:

* If the Indian passport expired within last one year, the applicant will be required to give a written, signed explanation why a new passport was not obtained in time. He should also declare in writing that he has not acquired foreign nationality.

* If the Indian passport had expired more than one year ago, the applicant will be required to submit a Search letter from Canadian Authorities certifying that the applicant has not acquired Canadian citizenship. For more details, please see the link http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/search.asp.

* If the Indian passport had expired more than 3 years ago, the case is taken as a Fresh Issue of Passport. This involves fresh police verification from India. The process involves processing by multiple authorities and may take a minimum of 3 - 4 months to complete. A Search letter from Canadian Authorities certifying that the applicant has not acquired Canadian citizenship will also be required. Please visit the link http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/search.asp for more details

In all cases of re-issue of Passport when the appearance of the applicant has changed, a notarized affidavit mentioning change in appearance and personal interview with Consular officer is mandatory.

Lost/Damaged Passport: Issue of Duplicate Passport

When a passport is lost or damaged, a Duplicate in Lieu of Lost or Damaged Passports is issued. Application for issue of duplicate passport is to be submitted at the High Commission only.

Applications for lost/damaged Passports must be submitted in person by the applicant and not sent by post.

Requirements

Fill in online passport registration form at http://passport.gov.in/nri/ this will generate a PDF file.

Any other document establishing applicant's identity as supporting document like, PAN card, Ration card, Election ID Card etc in original with a copy (the IDs furnished should preferably be issued by Government of India or other Indian authorities like the state governments etc. IDs issued in the Canada would be considered only as secondary proof). If original PR card or other resident permit (Student/Work permit) is not submitted by resident of Canada: An Affidavit regarding non-acquisition of Canadian nationality is to be submitted along with a Search Letter from the Canadian authorities(CIC) that applicant has not acquired Canadian citizenship.

Please note that Personal Particular Form (in triplicate) for Police Verification (see under forms) may be required to be filled in some cases where identity is not conclusively established.

RE-ISSUE OF PASSPORT TO CHILDREN

Children of the age upto 15yrs are issued with 5yrs validity passport

Requirements

NEW PASSPORT FOR A CHILD BORN IN CANADA TO PARENTS HOLDING INDIAN PASSPORTS

In such cases, the child can acquire Canadian citizenship due to his place of birth being Canada. In case parents wish to obtain Indian passport for the child, birth registration with the Indian Mission is required before applying for passport for the newborn. Both the parents should sign a declaration of non-acquisition of Canadian nationality by the child and consent to issue of Indian passport to the child. It may be noted that Indian rules do not allow dual citizenship and therefore, the Canadian citizenship is required to be renounced before acquiring Indian Citizenship.

You will need to fill online passport application on https://passport.gov.in/nri/ and countersigned by both parents. Copy of the record of landing or immigration document/PR card of the child and the parents would be needed. Also submit a copy of the birth certificate of the child showing the names of the parents. Personal appearance of the child may be required in some cases. Please also see the requirement for a normal Passport Re-issue case given above.

CHANGE OF NAME/SURNAME OF WOMEN IN PASSPORT CONSEQUENT TO MARRIAGE/DIVORCE

If you are applying for change of name/addition/deletion of spouse’s name in passport on re-issue basis following marriage, remarriage or divorce you have to provide the details in the application form, no proof of marriage/dissolution of marriage (court’s order for judicial separation/decree of divorce) etc. is required. In other circumstances for change of name, the applicant (both male and female) should furnish.

Following documents are required:

Fill in online passport registration form at http://passport.gov.in/nri/ this will generate a PDF file.

CHANGE OF NAME - OTHER CATEGORIES

In all other cases of change of name/surname in the passport, inserting advertisements in two English newspapers - one in local area where the applicant is residing and another in the area of permanent residence in India - is compulsory. After 30 days of the advertisements, following documents should be submitted:

Fill in online passport registration format http://passport.gov.in/nri/ this will generate a PDF file.

A new passport will be issued to the applicant giving his new name.

Miscellaneous Services

Miscellaneous Services

Endorsement for changes in the passport is no more permitted. For Inclusion/deletion of spouse's name, change of date/place of birth, name, address etc. or any other changes on laminated portion of the passport re-issue of passport booklet is required. Therefore, fee would be same as applicable for re-issue of passport. In case the services are requested on expiry of the passport no additional fee would be charged. Applicants would be required to submit documents for the change.

Requirements

Fill in online passport registration form at http://passport.gov.in/nri/ this will create a PDF file.

1.If you are applying for change of name/addition/deletion of spouse’s name in passport on re-issue basis following marriage, remarriage or divorce you have to provide the details in the application form, no proof of marriage/dissolution of marriage (court’s order for judicial separation/decree of divorce) etc. is required. In other circumstances for change of name, the applicant (both male and female) should furnish:

(i)Clippings of two prominent newspapers (One in India and one in Canada) or the Gazette Notification, as the case may be;

(ii)At least two public/school documents issued in the desired/applied changed name to ascertain that the applicant has actually change his name.”

2.In case of change of date/place of birth (for reasons other than typing error)

(i)Birth certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths

(ii)Documents produced earlier having proof of date of birth/place of birth at the time of issue of current passport and reasons for change now

FAQs

Passport Services - Frequently Asked Questions

Is there just one application form for all Passport services?

Yes. It is available at : https://passport.gov.in/nri/

Can addition like change of address, addition/deletion of spouse name can be done at the time of re-issue?

Yes. This is, however, subject to requirements are met for such services.

Where I would get Personal Particulars form/affidavit specimen

It is available under FORMS on home page

Which Passport services are covered under Tatkal scheme?

Re-issue of Passport on expiry or up to one year before expiry (having a valid Visa) in genuine emergency cases (medical/death cases etc) subject to record of the current Passport on our database. Discretion rests with the Consulate.

Which Passport services are not covered under Tatkal scheme?

Re-Issue - Expired Passport for more than one year (without valid Visa), Lost Passport, Emergency Certificate and where records of the Passport is incomplete in our data base. Discretion rests with the Consulate.

Is it true that Passport would not be issued if there is a major difference in the name on the Passport and the name on Visa/PR/Study Permit.

Yes. If this is the case then the applicant would be asked to rectify/clarify the anomaly. Any further service would be extended only after the rectification/clarification.

Can Indian nationals who had been issued Passports with 20 (twenty) years validity also apply for a new Passport?

Yes. It is in the interest of the applicant to get a new 10 year Passport as the Government of India has dispensed with the issue of 20 years Passport as per the extant rules.

Which documents are accepted as additional proof (if required)?

Any one or more of the following documents can be produced: (a) Copy of Indian Passport (b) Damaged Passport in original (c) Photo Identity Cards issued in India such as Driving License, Election ID Card, Ration Card or PAN Card (d) Letter from employer certifying applicant's identity (e) Letter of introduction from two Indian nationals based in the Canada (f) For students, a Certificate issued by the concerned educational/training institution; and (g) For short term visitors/tourists to the Canada documents such as air tickets, boarding passes, itinerary and copy of Visa.

Do photocopies of original documents need to be attested?

Yes. All original documents must be accompanied by self-attested photocopies. These documents should be presented for scrutiny at the time of submission of application.

Can I send my Passport application through a travel agent?

No. Consulate has not authorized any agent. Application is to be submitted at the BLS Passport Service Counter or the Consulate by the applicant personally or through a close family member bearing an authorization letter from the applicant. Travel Agents/Agents/Solicitors are not permitted to submit applications on behalf of applicants. Please report to the Consulate if anyone claims to provide such services.

I cannot come to collect my Passport personally. What should I do?

A close family member bearing an authorization letter and original identity paper/document to establish his/her identity can collect the Passport on behalf of the applicant. Alternatively, Passport can be sent back to the applicant By Post after rendering necessary services if the applicant provides a pre-paid (Recorded Delivery/Registered Post) self-addressed envelope at the time of submission of application.

Please do read the General Instructions by clicking here