Are you searching for Indian passport validity? Then the blog will make you clear about the India passport expiry date for adults and minors passports. After knowing the validity of Indian passport, you can apply for renewal of passport renewal well before its expiry. Thus, you can get to know every detail about adult and minor passport validity in this article.
What is the Passport Validity in India?
The validity of passport in India depends on the age of the applicant. If you are 18 year and older, passport is valid for 10 years from the date of issue. If you are under 18 years, validity of passport is 5 years from the issue date. Passport validity time starts from the date of your passport issued, not from the date of travel.
Here is a quick table of passport validity –
| Category | Validity Period |
| Adult (18 years and above) | 10 years |
| Minor (below 15 years) | 5 years or until age 18 (whichever is earlier) |
| Minor (15–18 years) | Can opt for 5 or 10 years |
| Short Validity Passport | 1 year |
It’s important to check your passport expiry date in advance, especially before booking international travel.
Adult passport validity
For adults (18 years and older) Indian passport is valid for 10 years from the date passport is issued. Whether you choose 36 page or 60 page passport, validity is same.
Tatkal passport is processed quickly but validity of tatkal passport will be same – 10 year validity as regular passport.
- Validity: 10 years from the issue date
- Pages: 36 or 60 pages, validity is the same
- Tatkal passport: Same 10-year validity
- Start of Validity: Begins from the issue date
You should renew your passport at least 6 months before it expires especially if you are about to travel internationally.
Minor passport validity
The validity of Indian passport for minors shorter than adults passport. Reason being children’s features change quickly. So, their passport needs more frequent updates to make sure the passport stays valid for identification
Minor’s passport validity rule
- Children of 0 – 4 years – The passport is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.
- Minors from 5 -17 years – The passport is also valid for 5 years. Once the minor turns 18, their passport will no longer be valid and needs to be replaced with adult passport.
Apart from adult and minor passports, Indians can get short-validity passports based on some conditions
Short validity passport (SVP)
Passport validity in India are 10 years for adults, 5 years for minors but short validity passport is issued for shorter duration. Short validity passport is special passport given only under specific situation –
- Criminal Case Pending – If the applicant has pending criminal case, the passport is usually issued for 1 year, subject to court approval.
- Lost or Undelivered Passport – If passport is lost or undelivered, an SVP allows immediate travel.
- Pending Legal Status Abroad – Issued to Indian citizens abroad whose visa or residence status has expired, allowing travel while their status is being regularized.
- Document Discrepancies – Issued if there are minor discrepancies in the name or details between the passport and visa/residence permit.
Normally, SVP is valid for one year, but its validity for a fresh or renewal application depends on the case
What should I do after expiration of passport?
When your Indian passport’s validity expires, you can apply for renewal through the official Passport India website. Indians can renew their passport well in advance, i.e., one year before expiry or on expiry as well. It needs to follow certain procedures for passport renewal and also fulfill requirements such as documents and fees for getting a re-issued passport.
Reasons of having validity of Indian passport
Validity of Indian passport is either 10 years or 5 years. So, it’s interesting to know “why do Indian passport expire in 10 years or 5 years”.
- People’s face change over time. After a few years, the photo on the passport may no longer look like the person.
- Passports use advanced security features (like biometric data). After several years, it’s necessary to update the passport to keep it secure.
- In the past, passports were hand written and valid for 20 years, but the current passports are machine readable and more secure. That’s why the validity period was shortened.
- Expiring passports also help reduce the number of lost or stolen passports. Newer passports are issued with better security features.
- People move to new home and addresses can change. Updating the passport make sure all your information stays accurate.
What to do with the expired Indian passport?
Even after your Indian passport validity period is over, keep it safe. While it’s no longer valid for travel, you might need it for:
- Visa Applications: Some countries may ask for previous passports when applying for a visa.
- Proof of Travel History: Old passports can serve as proof of your travel history for immigration or other official purposes.
Important Tip: Always keep your expired passport safely. It might be required for documentation or reference later.
Passport validity and international travel
Your passport’s validity has major role in international travel and visa approvals. Most countries require that your passport be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. Before applying for visa for any country , always check the specific country’s embassy or visa guidelines before travel. If the passport validity period is less than required stay in respective country, then first renew your passport and then apply for visa.
Passport Fees In India | Check Out The Passport Charges
FAQs
My passport is valid for 6 month can I travel internationally?
if your Indian passport is only valid for 6 months, you travel depends upon the stay duration and country you want to visit. Most of the countries allow visa with at least 6 month validity of passport.But it is advisable to renew your passport before starting new travel to avoid any consequences.
Can a passport be valid for 20 years?
No. Indian passport can be valid for maximum period of 10 years.
My passport gets expired 5 years ago, Can I renew it?
Yes, you have to apply for a renewal of your passport, and it needs to undergo fresh police verification as it has been more than 3 years since the passport expired.
What happens if my passport expires while I’m abroad?
You should immediately contact the nearest Indian Embassy or Consulate.
Can I renew my passport before it expires?
Yes, you can apply for renewal up to 1 year before the expiry date.
Is the validity period different for a Tatkal passport?
No, Tatkal passports have the same validity as normal passports – 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors.
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