How to renew an Indian passport in the UK

How to renew an Indian passport in the UK

Requesting a passport renewal from the Indian government means doing so online. The Indian government works with a company called VFS Global, which handles the physical visa and passport services to Overseas Citizens of India, and anyone else who wants to apply for a visa or passport from abroad.

However, the online application is only part of the process. To complete your Indian passport renewal in the UK, you will need to visit a VFS centre in person. If you cannot attend yourself, then it is possible to authorise a family member to go on your behalf, or alternatively your spouse or another close blood relative with an accompanying authority letter.

To renew your Indian passport in the UK, just follow these simple steps:

1. Complete the passport renewal form by registering through the Passport Seva Online Portal.

2. Ensure you have all of the documents, photos and any other evidence required during the application process. We will discuss exactly what this is later in the article.

3. Book an appointment at your closest VFS application centre. At this point, you will be requested to show your application and supporting documents.

4. Once your application has been submitted, the final step is to track its progress. You can do this online with VFS. When the application has been approved by the Indian government, you should also receive an email to notify you that it has been successful.

In some cases, this process may differ slightly, such as if emergency travel documents need to be issued for instances of family bereavement or medical reasons, or your passport has been stolen shortly before you are due to leave the UK. You should always make sure that you speak to the embassy for advice and avoid any third-party companies that claim to be able to do this on your behalf. The only fees you should be paying are direct with VFS.

What documents are required for Indian passport renewal in the UK?

The paperwork for your application will not be handled online at all. Instead, this will be required when you attend your appointment at a local VFS centre. Ensuring that you get the documents required for an Indian passport renewal in the UK right is essential, as failure to do so will result in an unsuccessful application and delays.

While some documents are mandatory for all applications, there are some differences depending on your personal situation and the type of application, so we always recommend checking the VFS website for more specific details. However, by following the checklist below, you should have peace of mind knowing that you are fully prepared and able to make the process as smooth as possible.

You will need:

• A printed and signed version of your fully completed application form.

• A printed confirmation of appointment.

• An Annexure E Form, completed and printed.

• A VFS Declaration Form completed and printed.

• A Personal Particulars Form for police verification in India.

• Four recent and identical passport photos.

• Your old Indian passport.

• Copies of the first and last page of your passport.

• Copies of a valid UK visa or Biometric Residence Permit.

• Proof of your UK address.

As we mentioned above, there are circumstances where you will need to submit further documentation that are not listed above. For example, if you lose your passport or you are changing the name on your passport. Always make sure that you thoroughly check what you need for your own personal application.

Fees for renewal of an Indian passport in the UK

When you renew your Indian passport in the UK, there will be some costs for using the service. The fees for the renewal of an Indian passport in the UK are:

• Reissue of an ordinary passport: £56

• Reissue of an ordinary passport with Tatkal service: £107

• Passport for children under 15 years old: £38

• Reissue of damaged, lost or stolen passports: £110

• Emergency certificate: £13

• Renewal without valid UK visa: £39

An additional fee of £2 per application is collected as 'Consular Surcharge' for all passport services.

Please note: The above fees are for an ordinary 36-page passport, so see the full list of fees on the VFS Global website for jumbo passports and more extensive pricing when using the Tatkal service.

How long does Indian passport renewal take in the UK?

When doing your Indian passport renewal in the UK, you can expect the process to take between four to five weeks. It will then likely be delivered to you within 10 working days, unless certain information has been submitted incorrectly or some details need to be verified. If you are using the Tatkal service, then the processing time is usually two to three working days.

However, all of the timeframes we have mentioned above are subject to change and depend on individual circumstances. In order to stay fully up-to-date with the status of your application, make sure you track its progress online with VFS. The stages of the process you can track include when:

• VFS forward your application to the Embassy or Consulate of India in the UK.

• Your application is being reviewed by the Embassy.

• Your request has been approved and dispatched back to VFS.

• VFS has prepared your package containing your new passport and is waiting for the courier of your choice to pick it up.

Fortunately, by using this guide on how to renew your Indian passport in the UK, you should be able to eliminate any stress from the process, ensuring that you get the application right the first time and receive your new Indian passport as quickly as possible.

This communication is intended for marketing purposes only and does not constitute or provide legal, tax, investment or financial planning related advice.