1. FAQs on Passport [+]
1. Question: Is hand written Passport still valid?
Answer: Hand written Passports are no more valid. Please renew your Passport and get a machine Readable Passport (MRP) as soon as possible.
2. Question: How do I apply for a new Passport and which documents are required?
Answer: Please see the link: http://www.eoicaracas.gov.in/eoi.php?id=Passport
3. Question: How do I apply for a Passport for my newly born child?
Answer: You need to apply for birth registration and Passport. Please see the link: (http://www.eoicaracas.gov.in/eoi.php?id=Passports_12).
4. Question: When should I apply for a new Passport?
Answer: An Indian Passport is normally valid for 10 years from the date of its issue. It must be replaced with a fresh Passport after expiry of its validity. Application for a fresh Passport can be made up to one year before the date of expiry. It is always better to apply well in time.
5. Question: The lamination on my Passport has peeled off; is my Passport ok to travel?
Answer: If the lamination of your Passport has peeled off, the Passport is considered to be damaged. You will need to apply for a fresh booklet (Passport) under the damaged category.
6. Question: I want to apply for my Passport but I also need to travel abroad for 2 weeks. Can I submit my Passport later?
Answer: You will need to submit your original Passport at the time of lodging your application. It is recommended that you complete all required travel and then submit your application for a new Passport since, once your Passport application is registered for renewal, you will not be able to use your old Passport.
7. Question: I have lost my Passport, what should I do to get new Passport?
Answer: Please apply for duplicate Passport as suggested on: http://www.eoicaracas.gov.in/eoi.php?id=Passports_13
8. Question: Why do I have to submit a valid immigration status/visa status at the time of applying for an Indian Passport?
Answer: An Indian Passport issued outside India needs certain documentary evidence. One of them is proof that the applicant has a valid visa to be in the foreign country. The Indian Missions need to know type of immigration status/visa status assigned to you and this needs to be a recently issued (recommended within the month of application) document/proof if it’s not stamped in your last Indian Passport.
9. Question: I am not too internet savvy. Can I complete a manual Passport Application form?
Answer: Passport applications are required to be filled by online.
10. Question: Why I have to submit so many documents for an Indian Passport?
Answer: An Indian Passport is a valuable document and is not issued unless the authority concerned is convinced about the authenticity of the service request. To ensure that there are no processing issues, the Embassy of India, Caracas has provided checklist specific to each Passport category. We hope this will help ease any confusion with regard to the processing requirements.
11. Question: What is the process to endorse spouse's name on my Passport?
Answer: To endorse the spouse's name on your Passport, you have to apply for a 'Re-issue' of Passport and submit the apostilled marriage certificate. A new Passport booklet would be issued.
12. Question: My spouse is a foreign citizen. What document(s) do I need to submit along with my Passport application to include his/her name in my Passport?
Answer: For applicants whose spouse is a foreign citizen and the name needs to be included in the Passport, one of the following documents should be submitted along with the Passport application:
i. Marriage Certificate issued by the Indian Mission/Post abroad.
OR
ii. Marriage Certificate issued by Foreign Government, duly attested/apostilled either by:
The Indian Mission/Post in the jurisdiction from where the Marriage Certificate was issued
The foreign Embassy/High Commission/Consulate of that country in India
OR
iii. Marriage Certificate issued by Foreign Embassy/High Commission/Consulate of that country in India (of which the foreign spouse is a citizen)
13. Question: There is a mistake in the spelling of my name in the Passport. What can I do?
Answer: If you find any mistake/error in the particulars printed in the Passport booklet, please return the Passport for necessary rectification. Any additional fees required to be paid would depend solely on merit of the case as decided by the Consular Officer. If there is a misrepresentation of facts, then penalty could also be imposed.
14. Question: How long is a Passport valid?
Answer: In case of adults, 10-year validity Passport would be issued. In case of minors, the validity of Passport is restricted to 5 years or till they attain the age of 18, whichever is earlier. However, the minors between 15 to 18 years of age are eligible and advised to apply for a 10-year validity Passport.
15. Question: The pages in my Passport booklet have exhausted, but it has a validity of 5 years. Is it possible to add extra pages?
Answer: No. You need to apply for "Re-issue" of Passport. A new Passport booklet would be issued to you with a fresh validity of 10 years.
2. FAQs on OCI [+]
1. Question: What are the benefits for an OCI card holder?
Answer: An OCI card holder gets the following benefits:
I. A multiple entry, multi-purpose life-long visa for visiting India.
II. Exemption from registration with local police authority for any length of stay in India.
III. Parity with Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of economic, financial and educational fields, except in relation to acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
IV. OCI can be used as identity proof for application of PAN Card and driving licence as well as for opening a bank account if the OCI card holder is residing in India.
2. Question: What benefits an OCI Card holder is not entitled to?
Answer: The OCI Card holder is not entitled:
I. To vote,
II. To be a member of a Legislative Assembly or of a Legislative Council or of the Parliament of India,
III. To hold Indian constitutional posts such as that of the President, Vice President, Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court etc.
IV. He/she cannot normally hold employment in the Government.
3. Question: Under what conditions should one apply for a new OCI Card and Sticker?
Answer: (i) In case of issuance of new Passport. (a) For an applicant who is 20 years of age or younger, OCI documents must be re-issued each time a new Passport is issued. (b) For an applicant who is 50 years of age or older, OCI documents must be re-issued once after the issuance of a new Passport. If the OCI card is issued for the first time after the age of 50 years, then there is no need for re-issuance of OCI. (c) For an applicant who is 21 to 49 years of age, there is no need to re-issue OCI documents each time a new Passport is issued. However, if the applicant desires, he/she can request that the OCI documents be re-issued so that the OCI documents reflect the correct Passport number.
(ii) In case there is a change in personal particulars.
(iii) In case of loss/damage of Passport and/or OCI booklet.
(iv) For correcting personal particulars entered wrongly while submitting online applications e.g name, father’s name, date of birth etc.,
(v) In case of change of address/occupation. Vide circular No. 26011/06/2015-OCI dated 29th January, 2015 of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, all immigration authorities in India will not insist on production of the foreign Passport containing the 'U' Visa Sticker in the case of OCI Cardholders while they enter/exit India and the immigration clearance will be granted based on production of the 'OCI CARD ONLY'.
4. Question: Can foreign nationals, who are not otherwise eligible for OCI, get OCI if they are married to persons who are eligible for OCI?
Answer: The spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India cardholder registered under section 7A and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application are eligible for OCI.
5. Question: Are minor children eligible for OCI Card?
Answer: Minor children whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India are eligible for OCI Card.
6. Question: Is an applicant who had held nationality of Pakistan or Bangladesh, eligible for OCI?
Answer: No, If the applicant has ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he / she will not be eligible for OCI.
7. Question: Can a person renounce OCI?
Answer: Yes. He/she has to declare his/her intention of renunciation in Form XXII to the Indian Mission/Post where OCI registration was granted. After receipt of the declaration, the Indian Mission/Post shall issue an acknowledgement in Form XXII A. A separate application form is available for this purpose.
8. Question: Whether foreign military personnel are eligible for grant of OCI?
Answer: No. Foreign military personnel either in service or retired are not entitled for grant of OCI.
9. Question: Whether civil Govt. servant working in Ministry of Defence as IT engineers/civil contractors are eligible for OCI?
Answer: No.
