A passport is so crucial for visa applications and overseas travel. You may want to renew your Indian passport in Canada or other countries. It is no longer difficult now, as the Indian government had adopted policies to support Indian citizens offshore who apply for a reissue of their passports through Indian Missions and Posts abroad.
This article will walk you through the entire Indian passport renewal process in Canada and give you all the information you need. Let’s get started!
When to renew your Indian passport?
Before we dive into the mandatory documents you must prepare in advance and the application process, let’s look at when a passport requires a renewal.
According to the Indian authority, you need to renew your Indian passport if any of the following conditions are met:
- Alteration in personal information (i.e., surname, gender, address, etc.)
- The passport expired within 3 years or was to pass in one year.
- Validity expired more than 3 years ago.
- Exhaustion of pages
- Damaged passport ( torn, stained, blurred on passport photo or personal information)
- Lost passport
Notice that whether your passport is going to expire or be lost, you can’t duplicate the existing passport either. The Indian government only will issue a new passport with a different passport number.
What documents must you prepare, and what forms will you fill out?
The Indian government categorizes renewal requests and adopts pertinent requirements based on various circumstances. Before submitting online, check the reason for your passport renewal application, and prepare the necessary paperwork and forms.
Complete Guide on Indian Passport Renewal in Canada
In the general case of the renewal of an expired passport, you will need to submit the following:
- Checklist
- Online Application Form
- Indian passport (Original)
- One copy of the first and last page of the existing passport
- Annexure E form
- Proof of present address
- One copy of valid legal status in Canada ( PR card/ study permit/ work permit/ visitor record)
- A recent photograph of size 2 inch*2 inch
- Fees
If you renew your passport due to changes in your personal information, you will need to provide additional documents to prove the changes in a new passport. For example, if you apply for a new Indian passport in that you are married and want to add your spouse’s name, you need to show a copy of your marriage certificate or a passport copy of your spouse having your spouse’s name endorsed.
If your application for a reissue is because of loss or damage of the existing passport, you need to submit the following:
- Checklist
- Online Application Form
- Indian Passport (Original)
- One copy of the first and last page of the existing passport
- Annexure E
- Proof of present address
- One copy of valid legal status in Canada (PR card/study permit/work permit/visitor record)
- Fees
- A recent photograph of size 2 inch*2 inch
- Annexure ‘F’
- Letter explaining how passport got lost/ damaged
- Original Police Report with lost Passport number on it
For application, you need to print the correct documents and forms back to back on standard A4-sized papers. By the way, when you submit the documents for application via post, remember to rank the documents in the sequence listed above accordingly.
You may not be familiar with the official website; never mind. We provide you with the shortcuts here to download the Checklist, the Online Application Form, and other Forms and Annexures for your needs.
Now, I bet you know where to download the forms and annexures. Just fill them in and print them out. Well, what about the preparation of a recent photograph in a 2×2 inch size? Do you feel anxious about shooting and editing the image? Now, you can easily create a compliant passport photo online by yourself. AiPassportPhotos is a leading passport photo maker that offers various templates for you to choose from. Thanks to the robust AI technology, you only have to upload your photo and click “upload.” Within seconds, a fully compliant passport photo will be generated for you.
The intelligent tool can remove the photo’s background and adjust the photo’s size and resolution with one click. Try out AiPassportPhotos to make a passport photo hassle-free!
How to renew your Indian passport in Canada?
The three Indian consulates in Canada have appointed passport services to BLS International, meaning all the documents and fees should be submitted to the outsourcing agents instead of the Commissions. Here, we will walk you through the process.
Step 1. Register/login to apply for Passport Services
If you want to renew your Indian passport, you have to submit an Online Application Form. Visit the website to register and submit the form to renew your Indian passport. Follow the instructions on the website and fill out the information carefully and correctly, as any error will affect your application process.
When submitting an Online Application Form, select “Reissue” and “Normal” under the ‘Type of Application.’ If you wish to specifically apply for a “Tatkaal” passport, which serves as an emergency application but comes at a higher charge, please check its availability before selecting it, as the Tatkaal scheme is available only for some special cases.
It is noted that no changes can be made manually after submission of the Online Application Form. You must fill out a fresh online application form for errors or modifications.
Finally, print it out after you complete and submit the form online.
Step 2. Submit passport application to the BLS
When you have gathered all the documents required in the Checklist, you have to submit the application as well as the mandatory documents to the BLS. At this point, you have two options.
Option A. Walk-in submission
If you submit the application form and documents in person, an online appointment is a must before you walk into the nearest BLS center, and proof of Appointment Confirmation along with your original passport is also required.
To make an appointment at a BLS center, you need to know under which jurisdiction your residence is and select the right office accordingly. There are three Indian consulates in Canada: Toronto Jurisdiction, Ottawa Jurisdiction, and Vancouver Jurisdiction. Visit https://www.blsindia-canada.com/ to choose the jurisdiction according to your residence in Canada and fill out an “Appointment Booking Form” to make an appointment in advance. If you are unsure which jurisdiction to apply to, enter your Canadian residence postal code in the search bar at the bottom of the website.
image resource: Passport Seva
Remember not to arrive too early before your appointment time as it might cause congestion at the centers, and to print out the Appointment Confirmation, which will be required to access entry at the door.
Option B. Postal application
If you submit the application through postal mail, choose Purolator to deliver so that you can track your application online during the whole process as it partners with BLS. Otherwise, your application will not be able to be tracked by BLS centers.
To book a pickup of your application, visit https://www.blsindia-canada.com/postalbls/. Put your documents and forms in an envelope, and remember to separate several applications into individual envelopes if you are applying for your family at the same time.
Step 3. Payments and fees
If you apply in person, you will pay the consular and BLS service fees in cash or debit at the center. If you send your application by post, the costs will be paid in the Demand draft/Money order. Here is a form for application fees for your reference.
Notice that the postal applications will be processed after you finish online payments. In addition, personal cheques are unacceptable, and do not put any cash together with the application documents in an envelope.
Step 4. Wait for the processing
After you have submitted the application form and the necessary documents to BLS, you only have to wait for the arrival of your new passport. The processing time is determined by several factors, and the fastest process is estimated to take 8 weeks. If you apply by post, the processing time will be 3–4 working days longer. If you choose Tatkal passport services, the processing time will be reduced to one week. By the way, these processing times are calculated from the date the application is received at the Consulate and do not include shipping delays.
No matter whether you submit your application in person or by postal mail, you cannot get your renewed passport from the Consulate, as your new passports will be collected and delivered by BLS centers to your residence.
How to renew a minor’s Indian passport?
A passport for a minor child is issued with 5 years of validity. If you need to renew a passport for a child under 18, the whole application is the same for adults, except for the different application documents.
Documents to prepare for a minor’s passport:
- Checklist
- Online Application Form
- Indian Passport (Original and Copy)
- Annexure E
- Proof of present address
- Status in Canada
- Fees
- Photograph
- Passport copies of both the parents
- NOC of both the parents/ Annexure D
- Address ID proof of either of the parents or guardian
If the minor is with a single parent, additional documents such as Annexure C, proof of custody, a copy of the passport of the custodial parent, and an address ID proof of the custodial parent are required. The fee for a minor’s passport is $72.40.
Indian law does not allow dual citizenship, so the application will not be accepted if a child has acquired Canadian citizenship.
Quick Summary
The Indian government requires Indian citizens to always hold a valid passport abroad, as a passport establishes the holder’s identity. Now, I hope you know all the information you need to renew your Indian passport in Canada.
Erin Lo