Ministry of External Affairs
CPV Division, Delhi
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October 11, 2011 (KAMPALA) – South Sudanese students in India have been unable to renew their passports since the country became independent leaving many stranded, students say.
In a letter sent to Sudan Tribune on Monday, the students described their situation as “frustrating and confused” adding that lack of a South Sudanese diplomatic mission in Delhi is complicating their safety stay there.
South Sudan declared independence from Sudan in July following a January vote for secession. The plebiscite was part of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended decades of north-south civil war.
South Sudanese students, received scholarships from the then government of southern Sudan during the CPA’s interim period (July 2005 – July 2011) to India, used the Sudanese passport. Following South Sudan’s declaration of independence, the students claim that Sudanese embassy is declining to renew expired passports.
“South Sudan[ese] students are frustrated in India...., now stranded and deeply confused,” the students’ letter says.
Deng Bior, a second year student of bachelor of commerce at Bangalore University, alleged that he cannot return to South Sudan for holidays as his passport cannot be renewed. Thyab Grang Aguer, a third year student of bachelor of commerce at Osminia University, cannot come to Juba with his family because he does not have travel documents.
Another student, who prefer anonymity, says she completed her studies last year is unable to go home as her certificate has not been signed. The students say they cannot move freely for fear of being arrested by police.
The students urge South Sudanese authorities to speed up the establishment of the diplomatic mission in Delhi in order to help in this situation adding “something has to be done. We can’t just be like this.”
South Sudans ministry of foreign affairs could not be reached for comment.
(ST)
October 11, 2011 (KAMPALA) – South Sudanese students in India have been unable to renew their passports since the country became independent leaving many stranded, students say.
In a letter sent to Sudan Tribune on Monday, the students described their situation as “frustrating and confused” adding that lack of a South Sudanese diplomatic mission in Delhi is complicating their safety stay there.
South Sudan declared independence from Sudan in July following a January vote for secession. The plebiscite was part of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended decades of north-south civil war.
South Sudanese students, received scholarships from the then government of southern Sudan during the CPA’s interim period (July 2005 – July 2011) to India, used the Sudanese passport. Following South Sudan’s declaration of independence, the students claim that Sudanese embassy is declining to renew expired passports.
“South Sudan[ese] students are frustrated in India...., now stranded and deeply confused,” the students’ letter says.
Deng Bior, a second year student of bachelor of commerce at Bangalore University, alleged that he cannot return to South Sudan for holidays as his passport cannot be renewed. Thyab Grang Aguer, a third year student of bachelor of commerce at Osminia University, cannot come to Juba with his family because he does not have travel documents.
Another student, who prefer anonymity, says she completed her studies last year is unable to go home as her certificate has not been signed. The students say they cannot move freely for fear of being arrested by police.
The students urge South Sudanese authorities to speed up the establishment of the diplomatic mission in Delhi in order to help in this situation adding “something has to be done. We can’t just be like this.”
South Sudans ministry of foreign affairs could not be reached for comment.
(ST)
October 11, 2011 (KAMPALA) – South Sudanese students in India have been unable to renew their passports since the country became independent leaving many stranded, students say.
In a letter sent to Sudan Tribune on Monday, the students described their situation as “frustrating and confused” adding that lack of a South Sudanese diplomatic mission in Delhi is complicating their safety stay there.
South Sudan declared independence from Sudan in July following a January vote for secession. The plebiscite was part of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended decades of north-south civil war.
South Sudanese students, received scholarships from the then government of southern Sudan during the CPA’s interim period (July 2005 – July 2011) to India, used the Sudanese passport. Following South Sudan’s declaration of independence, the students claim that Sudanese embassy is declining to renew expired passports.
“South Sudan[ese] students are frustrated in India...., now stranded and deeply confused,” the students’ letter says.
Deng Bior, a second year student of bachelor of commerce at Bangalore University, alleged that he cannot return to South Sudan for holidays as his passport cannot be renewed. Thyab Grang Aguer, a third year student of bachelor of commerce at Osminia University, cannot come to Juba with his family because he does not have travel documents.
Another student, who prefer anonymity, says she completed her studies last year is unable to go home as her certificate has not been signed. The students say they cannot move freely for fear of being arrested by police.
The students urge South Sudanese authorities to speed up the establishment of the diplomatic mission in Delhi in order to help in this situation adding “something has to be done. We can’t just be like this.”
South Sudans ministry of foreign affairs could not be reached for comment.
(ST)
INDIA--The government appears on track to issue some 800,000 e-passports next year and begin piloting its new backend system touted to enable faster delivery of passport services, baring no further delays.
The Indian government next year will launch its e-passport initiative, as well as the Passport Seva Project, with pilots expected to commence this year.
Implemented by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme, the Passport Seva Project entails digitization of the entire passport services. It seeks to deliver all passport-related services to citizens in a timely, transparent, more accessible and reliable manner, through streamlined processes and trained workforce.
This US$207.3 million (10 billion rupees) project is part of the government's National e-Governance Plan (NeGP).
"The unique feature of Passport Seva is that citizens will be able to get a passport in three working days," Neel Ratan, executive director at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), told ZDNet Asia in a phone interview. Currently, it takes nearly a fortnight or longer, for local citizens to get a new passport. For travel documents that are needed urgently, arrangements are made under the "tatkal" scheme for passports to be issued within a week. The Passport Seva project aims to cut this down to a day.
Under the initiative, passport offices across the country will also be spruced up. "The offices will wear a more contemporary look," Ratan said. PwC assisted the government in designing and conceptualizing the project.
Indians will also get new e-passports designed to facilitate international travel by allowing automatic identity verification and faster immigration inspections, as well as provide efficient border protection and security.
"An e-passport incorporates a security microcontroller, embedded in the back cover of the passport, which securely stores information printed on the document," Mahendran Kathiresan, Infineon Technologies' business development manager of chip card and security, said in an e-mail interview. Infineon is the supplier of contactless security microcontrollers (MCU) for the e-passport initiative.
Kathiresan explained that e-passports support a combination of electronic and optical security features including watermark, optically variable device and hologram.
If an e-passport is misused, the immigration checkpoint will be able to detect a mismatch between the printed and digital information, and authorities can take necessary action against the offender.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sets the standards for e-passports that have been implemented in over 70 countries. Data in the Indian e-passport can be read in other countries as it adheres to the ICAO global standards for biometrics and secure storage of personal data in travel documents.
Seva pilots next month
The Passport Seva Project was unveiled in October 2008, after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) signed the agreement with TCS, which included plans for the first pilot trial to commence in June 2009 from centers located in Chandigarh and Bangalore. The rest of India, to be serviced by 77 stations, will be issued e-passports in 2010.
However, the project has since missed its June 2009 deadline.
TCS declined to speak to ZDNet Asia, but A. Manickam, joint secretary and chief passport officer for the Union Ministry of External Affairs, said the government will make a major announcement regarding the project next month. "I would not like to make any comment prior to that," Manickam said in a phone interview.
In a local newspaper report, Tanmoy Chakrabarty, vice president at TCS, said it was hoping to proceed with trials at the Chandigarh and Bangalore centers in October. This timeline was reiterated in a government Web site, which stated that TCS was looking to implement the project at six pilot locations next month and 77 centers by June 2010.
Explaining the missed deadline, Chakrabarty said in the newspaper report: "The Ministry of External Affairs did not make us available to the disaster recovery site for this project, which led to the delay."
E-passports enhance security
Meanwhile, the government launched its e-passport scheme on Jun. 25 this year, where President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Vice President Hamid Ansari were the first ones to receive their biometric passports.
E-passports have been issued to diplomats since July this year, but are expected to be extended to all citizens from September next year. Around 800,000 e-passports are estimated to be issued by 2010.
While Infineon has secured the initial e-passport trial, its competitor NXP Semiconductors is hopeful it has a role to play when the scheme is extended to the general public next year. Claus Hansen, NXP's Asia-Pacific senior director of sales and marketing, said at the Identification Summit 2009 held in Delhi last month that the company in January delivered some 170 million e-passport chips.
Q Can a foreigner, who entered India along with children, on a passport, with name of children endorsed on the same take exit clearance without the children?
A
His departure will not be permitted without children.
For that, the foreigner should obtain separate individual passports for the children from the concerned Embassy/Consulate and an endorsement for deletion of children's particulars from the original passport.
Thereafter, on the specific permission of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreign Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road New Delhi, the foreigner would be allowed exit clearance.
Q What should a foreigner who wants a departure clearance, along with a child born in India after the foreigner arrived in India and holds a separate passport for the child?
A
The orders for issue of first VISA for a new born foreign child is granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreign Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road New Delhi.
For this purpose the foreigner need to approach the Ministry with birth certificate and relevant documents.
With orders of the Ministry for issue of VISA ,the foreigner can approach the concerned FRO/FRRO cum Superintendent of Police for VISA endorsement. Regular VISA fee is charged at the time of such endorsement.
Q If a child is born to a registered foreigner in India, can the newly born child be given stay visa?
A
While in India, first VISA is only granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreign Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road New Delhi.
In such a case, the foreigner needs to approach the ministry first and seek VISA orders for the child.
The same VISA orders would be endorsed by the concerned FRRO/FRO cum Superintendent of Police on the passport of the child.
Thereafter, subsequent VISA extensions can be made by FRRO/FRO cum Superintendent of Police on co-terminus to his/her parents.
Frequently Asked Questions :Lost Passport cases
Q | What are the formalities for getting 'exit permission' in 'lost passport cases'? |
A | A Foreigner needs to complete the following formalities for getting exit in case of lost passport: -
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Q | Why does a foreigner require arrival confirmation in case of lost passport to get further stay or exit permission? |
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Q | Is exit permit required in the case of a foreigner who is traveling on Laissez Passer issued by the mission of his country in India in lieu of the passport which was lost by the foreigner in India? |
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Frequently Asked Questions :Visa Extension
Q | Who can grant extension of Employment Visa or Business Visa? |
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Q | Can a foreigner registered on Employment Visa change his original Company/employer? |
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Q | What type of visa is granted to the family members of foreigners holding 'E' type (Employment) Visa? |
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A | Whether Transit Visa can be extended/converted into another VISA? |
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Q | Whether overstay on Transit Visa can be condoned by FRROs/FROs/SSPs? |
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Q | What length of overstay can be condoned by FRROs/FROs? |
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Q | What is the penalty fee for overstay? |
A | An amount in Indian Rupees equivalent to US $30 (Rs.1395/- at present) plus regular fees for extension (Relevant visa fees as per duration of stay and type) is charged. |
Q | Can diplomatic, official and UN-visas (UN diplomatic/official) be extended by FRROs/FROs? |
A | No, only MEA can extend these visas. |
Q | Whether a 5 years extension can be given to a registered foreigner? |
A | Yes. Five year VISA extension can be granted for following categories of foreigners:
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Q | When extension of a foreigner is under consideration with MHA, he/she is given three months extension, if he travels abroad and comes after expiry of three months extension, will he be given entry? |
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Government of India
Ministry of External Affairs
CPV Division, Delhi
Tatkaal Scheme
OUT OF TURN ISSUE OF PASSPORT UNDER TATKAAL SCHEME
(A) If an applicant desires to obtain his passport under the Tatkal Scheme, a verification certificate as per the specimen at ANNEXURE ‘F’ and standard affidavit as Annexure “I” should be submitted along with the TATKAAL fee. The Passport Issuing Authority shall retain the right to verify in writing the authenticity of the Verification Certificate from the official who has issued it. All applicants seeking a passport out of turn under the TATKAAL Scheme are advised to submit their application, documentation, colour photographs with white or light background and fee as specified below. No proof of urgency is required for Out-of-Turn issue of passport. Post Police Verification shall be done in respect of all passports issued under the Tatkaal Scheme.
(B) The applicant also has the option to obtain a passport under Tatkal Scheme on submission of three documents from the Fourteen documents as mentioned below, provided one of the three documents is a photo identity document and atleast one of the three is amongst the documents indicated at (a) to (i) and a standard affidavit (Annexure “I”) on non-judicial stamp paper duly attested by a Notary:
(a) Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC);
(b) Service Identity Card issued by State/Central Government, Public Sector Undertakings, local bodies or Public Limited Companies;
(c) SC/ST/ OBC Certificates;
(d) Freedom Fighter Identity Cards;
(e) Arms Licenses;
(f) Property Documents such as Pattas, Registered Deeds etc.;
(g) Rations Cards;
(h) Pension Documents such as ex-servicemen’s Pension Book/Pension Payment order, ex-servicemen’s Widow/Dependent Certificates, Old Age Pension Order, Widow Pension Order;
(i) Railway Identity Cards;
(j) Income Tax Identity (PAN) Cards;
(k) Bank/ Kisan/Post Office Passbooks;
(l) Student Identity Cards issued by Recognized Educational Institutions;
(m) Driving Licenses; and
(n) Birth Certificates issued under the RBD Act.
(All above documents to be produced in original along with self-attested copies)
The TATKAAL fee is in addition to the applicable passport fee and payable either in cash or DD in favor of Passport Officer concerned. The additional fee for out of turn TATKAAL passport, would be as follows:
Fresh Passport
1. | Within 1-7 days of the date of Application | Rupees 1,500/- plus the passport fee of Rs.1000/- |
2. | Within 8-14 days of the date of Application | Rupees 1,000/- plus the passport fee of Rs.1000/- |
Replacement of Passport (in lieu of Lost/Damage Passport)
1. | Within 1-7 days of the date of Application | Rupees 2,500/- plus the duplicate passport fee of Rs.2500/- |
2. | Within 8-14 days of the date of Application | Rupees 1,500/- plus the duplicate passport fee of Rs.2500/- |
Re-issue cases after expiry of 10 years validity
1. | Within 3 working days of the date of application | Rupees 1,500/- plus the passport fee of Rs.1000/- |
Kindly go through the following instructions before filling up the form:
The Passport Application Form is Machine Readable and it is scanned on computer, there the following instructions should be followed strictly:
Important Note: All original documents are to be shown at the time of submission of the passport application form. With the Original Passport Application Form, self-attested copies of all required documents need to be attached. Illiterate applicants should put only thumb impression in the box meant for thumb impression/signature. In case an applicant has stayed at more than one address during the last one year, he/she should furnish two additional photocopies of the PP form for each additional place of stay.
The At the beginning of the Application Form there are boxes for affixing photograph, appending signature and thumb impression and giving details of payment of the fee.
The passport form requires three coloured recent passport size photographs showing frontal view of full face, out of which one photograph is to be pasted on form and two on the Passport (PP) forms.
In the box meant for pasting the photograph, paste your recent and identical colour photograph of size 3.5 cm x 3.5 cm. Photograph should fit exactly in the box and in any case not smaller than the box provided in the form. For Jumbo booklets, two additional photographs are required. The photographs on the PP forms have to be cross signed by the applicant whereas photograph on First page of the form is NOT to be signed.
Photographs in black and white print, photograph with coloured or dark glasses, dark background or in uniform, Polaroid prints or computer prints are not accepted. The colour photographs should have a light background (preferably white) and should show the full face of the applicant frontally.
The signature/thumb impression should be strictly within the box without touching the boundaries. Thumb impression should be of left hand in case of males and right hand in case of females. (Blue/ Black ball pen to be used for signatures).
The name up to 75 character long name can be given and filled in the form. The full name as it should appear in the Passport should be furnished here. For example,
Name: ADITYA NAGENGRANATH GOGOI
Write the Surname as "GOGOI" in the boxes provided for Surname and put a comma and write "ADITYA NAGENGRANATH" as the Given name in the rest of the columns. In case you do not have a surname, just write the given name.
No initials should be written, they should be expanded
If the applicant has ever changed his name, it has to be mentioned in this section. This is also applicable to a person who has even marginally changed the name or a lady who has changed her name / surname subsequent to the marriage.
If there is no change in name at all, kindly write: Not Applicable.
In case of Male/Female option, please write M or F as applicable in the box space provided. For others, please write 'X' in this box.
Date of Birth: The date of birth is filled as dd/mm/yyyy (date/month/year) and in words as shown in the birth certificate issued by Municipal/Government Authorities. Proof of date of birth is to be attached.
Place and Country of Birth: In case born in India, please mention name of place like Village / Town, District, State and if born outside India, mention name of place and country. For those born before partition of India, at a place, which now falls within Pakistan or Bangladesh, please fill up the name of place followed by Country as Undivided India.
The name of father, mother and spouse is to be entered in the respective columns. Surnames, if any, in these columns should be mentioned after the given names.
In case the applicant is unmarried, in Column 8 that asks for information on name of spouse kindly write: Not Applicable.
Give relevant details along with date since residing at the given address, telephone no. with area code is required for the purpose of contacting in case additional information or document is required by Passport Office.
Mobile phone No. would be useful for sending SMS message to the applicant for the same purpose. If the period of residence given in Column 9 is less than one year on the date of application, please furnish the other addresses with duration of residence.
Students staying away from their parents have the option of applying from place of study. In such cases, for proof of address, a bona fide certificate from the Principal/Director/Registrar/Dean of the educational institution is must. An additional set of PP Form is to be submitted for more than one address in last one year.
Please give details of previous passport(s) held. Either the previous Passport Number or the file number may be mentioned here along with date of issue and place of issue in the relevant boxes. In case previously applied for passport but the same was not received/issued, then the details such as file number, date applied and place where applied should be furnished here. Suppression of facts may attract penal provisions as per the section 12 of the Passports Act, 1967.
If ever travelled on Emergency Certificate (EC) or ever deported or repatriated to India at Government cost, then the details of EC number, date and place of issue along with original seizure memorandum, place and country from where deported or repatriated should be furnished in this column. Even if the EC details are not available readily, at least the place and country from where deported or repatriated should invariably be given here. All such applicants should furnish details of circumstances of their repatriation/loss of passport in a form of notarised affidavit.
Details like educational qualifications, visible distinguishing mark and the height in centimetres are to be provided against the respective item.
The relevant entry as 'Yes' or 'No' should be marked in the box space provided. If working in Central / State Government, Public Sector Undertakings, Statutory Bodies, and an "Identity" from the concerned office should be attached as per 'Annexure B (External website that opens in a new window)'.
Regarding citizenship, whether it is by birth, descent, registration or naturalisation is to be recorded in the box space provided by either B/D/R/N as the case may be. If held any other citizenship before Indian citizenship, then please furnish the previous citizenship in the blank space provided.
Please write Y or N as applicable. It may be mentioned here that Indian citizens categorised as ECR before leaving the country are required to get a clearance from the Protector General of Emigrants.
Applicants in ECR category will have the ECR Stamp put on their passports. In case the passport booklet does not have ECR stamp, the applicant would be deemed to have been granted ECNR status. No ECNR stamp will be affixed on the passport.
An applicant would be eligible for ECNR status if he/she falls in any one of the following categories and provides documentary proof thereof:
No emigration clearance is required for visiting Bangladesh, Pakistan and all countries in Europe (excluding CIS states), North America, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, South Africa and Singapore.
The eligible category should be mentioned in the blank space provided under this column and supportive documents should be attached with the application. It may be mentioned that with effect from Oct 1, 2007 Government of India has abolished Emigration Check Required Suspension (ECRS). With effect from October 2007, ECR passport holders travelling abroad for purpose other than employment will be allowed to leave the country on production of valid passport, valid visa and return ticket at the immigration counters at international airport in India. For employment purpose, such passport holders require emigration clearance from the office of Protector of Emigrants (POEs). Otherwise, they will be stopped from travelling at the port of exit. Applicants are, therefore, advised to apply for ECNR, if they are eligible, to ensure hassle-free travel abroad. It may be noted that the passport booklet will only have ECR category stamped and in case the passport booklet does not have ECR stamp, the applicant would be deemed to have been granted ECNR status.
In this column, while applying for the first time for the minor children who are less than 18 years of age, the details of valid passports held by both or either parents should be furnished in the relevant column. In such cases, passport to their minor child will be issued without any police verification. In the cases where the parents do not hold valid passports, applications for such minors can be made on the basis of three documents of parents details of which are given in para C (B) of Section IV (External website that opens in a new window) of the Passport Information Booklet along with Standard affidavit at Annexure I (External website that opens in a new window). In all such cases, passport to their minor child will be issued on post-police verification basis.
A declaration on plain paper as given at Annexure H (External website that opens in a new window) is needed to be filled up in each case. In case the minor child who is between 15 and 18 years of age wishes to -obtain a full validity passport for 10 years, the same can be issued only on submission of Standard Affidavit as in Annexure "I" (External website that opens in a new window) and any three of the 14 document as mentioned in para C (B) of Section IV (External website that opens in a new window) of Passport Information Booklet by the parents and on payment of fee equivalent to the normal passport fee i.e. Rs.1000/- for a 36 pages passport, as applicable for an adult. Otherwise the validity of the passport is restricted to five years or attaining the age of 18, whichever is earlier. In case of single parent and children born out of wedlock or in case of parents who are judicially separated, a sworn affidavit before a Magistrate, stating the facts of the case along with documentary proof to be submitted as per Annexure "C" (External website that opens in a new window). In the NORMAL COURSE the signature/consent of both parents is required for issue of a passport to the minor (Annexure "H" (External website that opens in a new window)). However, if in case the applicant parent is not in a position to get the consent of the other parent, FOR WHATEVER REASON, the parent applying for the passport of the minor may sign the form and submit a sworn affidavit as per Annexure "G" (External website that opens in a new window) stating the facts and circumstances of the case along with the application. The affidavit should also state that in case of a court case he/she would be responsible and not the passport office. In such cases, where only one parent is applying, the physical appearance of the child may be requested to ensure the applicant's parent has the actual custody of the child.
The applicant should give correct information. Suppression of any fact may lead to fine up to Rs.5000 per offence and other penal provisions as applicable under the provisions of the Passports Act, 1967 as amended from time to time.
In this column, the name and address along with Mobile or Telephone number/e-mail of person to be intimated in the event of death or accident is to be furnished.
This column is a self declaration made by the applicant about owing allegiance to the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India, not voluntarily acquiring the citizenship or travel document from any other country etc. Also this column contains declaration in furnishing true information in the application form and an applicant is aware that it is an offence under the Passport Act 1967 for giving any wrong information or suppression of any material information in getting the passport. The applicant also declares that he has no other passport or travel document. Under the space provided, the signature or Thumb Impression (left hand thumb impression for male and right hand thumb impression for female) should be furnished along with date and place of application.
Photocopies of all documents that are attached as enclosures along with the application form should be listed in the blank spaces provided and each document self attested by the applicant.
Source: National Portal Content Management Team, Last Reviewed on:27-04-2010