How to Apply for Student Passport in India?

Are you a student planning to study abroad?

If yes, you need to take care of your travelling essentials apart from financial planning. This includes getting the student passport and visa ready.

In case you do not have these documents, keep reading to learn about student passport application, documentation, and eligibility, among other details.

• Step 1: Visit the official Passport Seva Website and make an application.
• Step 2: Schedule an appointment with the nearest passport office and arrange the necessary documents.
• Step 3: Visit the passport authority on the allocated date and provide the self-attested documents during the verification procedure.
• Step 4: Collect the acknowledgement receipt and check the application status for updates.

Students can apply for a normal or Tatkal passport, depending on its purpose. 

The documents required for the same include -

1. Address Proof (Current Residence)

• Aadhaar card
• Latest telephone bill 
• In case of minors, passport copy of parent's (first and last page)
• Certificate issued by a reputed employer
• Voter Id card
• Income tax assessment order
• Latest utility bill such as electricity or water
• Photocopy of passbook of an active bank account 
• Rental agreement

2. Proof of Birth Date

• Birth certificate
• Secondary school leaving certificates are required for passports for students. A recognised board or educational institute should issue this certificate.
• Copy of the identity card of an applicant issued by an educational institution where he/she is studying.
• Bonafide certificate issued by a university or college.

In case the original documents are unavailable, you can submit a certificate or letter with valid reasons. In addition, photocopies of documents attested by the head of an institution can be submitted against passport applications for students.

Individuals have to pay ₹1500 to get this passport. They have to make the payment online on the official Passport Seva Website.

Making a payment will help in booking an appointment with the nearest passport office for student passport verification.

Here are some payment modes available -

• Debit card
• Internet banking
• Credit card
• SBI Challan

Additionally, one can make the payment by generating challan online and visiting the nearest SBI branch.

You need to fulfil the following eligibility terms to apply for a student passport in India -

• Students above 18 will be considered an adult. They need to self attest the required documents.
• Parents can attest the documents in case of minor applicant.
• Minors are eligible to have a Non-ECR till he/she is below 18 years of age.
• Students can submit the current address proof in the name of their parents.

Note that for a minor applicant, parental consent is mandatory.

Eligible applicants are required to submit official papers for verification. We have listed down the document required for a passport for a student.

You should know that the entire process of passport issuing may take 25 to 30 days. Hence it is essential to make the application early.

This passport is valid for ten years from the day of issue. However, you can't renew a passport a year before the expiration of the current passport.

If you have applied for higher studies in a foreign university, knowing student passport requirements is essential. This will help you streamline the entire process.

Moreover, you would be able to receive the passport at the earliest.