hcindia-au.org How to Apply for Indian Passport From Australia : High Commission of India

Organization : High Commission of India
Facility : How to Apply for Indian Passport From Australia
Location : Australia

Apply Here : https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/index.html
Website : http://www.hcindia-au.org/

New Passport (on expiry of passport) :
Overview :
** As instructed by the High Commission / Consulate General, VFS Australia shall except only online filled, printed and signed application’s form at all IPVSC locations.
** In compliance with the regulations of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), only machine readable printed passports are now to be accepted for international travel. The High Commission of India and Consulates in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth will hence no longer entertain any request for issue of Short Validity Passport/Emergency Passport. If there is a case of extreme emergency, a one way Emergency Certificate can be issued to enable Indian nationals to travel to India to attend to the emergent situation. For the return journey, they would need to contact the nearest Passport Issuing Authority to obtain a new passport.

Passports – Online Registration Form :
The Government of India has now introduced the Online Registration Form for all overseas Indian nationals seeking Passport Services. The procedure would now enable the Indian nationals residing overseas to obtain Printed Passports.
** Complete the Application form online (see selection criteria for Indian mission on the online form as per the screen shot example below)
** Note the registration number for future use
** Print out the form
** Sign in all boxes as required, within the box
** Submit the documents (Forms, Checklist and Supporting documents) by post/ in person or representative to the Application Centre

Points to note:
** All the details in the Application form should be as per your current passport unless you are requesting some changes in them. In case of a change, new details need to be filled in and required supporting documents need to be provided as per the checklist.
** In case of a new born baby’s passport, details should be as per birth certificate and supporting documents as mentioned in the checklist.
** In case of a Permanent resident, applicant will have a choice to get an Australian residence address or Indian address under question 3A after providing JP attested address proof.
** In case of minor, Q28 needs to be filled in by parents by printing their name and signing.
** Q29 is only for the signature / thumb impression of the applicant. In case applicant is unable to sign or provide thumb impression, Q 29 boxes need to be left blank. Parents cannot sign on behalf of the child in this column.

Processing Time :
Strictly do not finalize travel plans before receiving the service applied for. Processing times below are average processing times. Please plan your travel accordingly.
VFS Global/Government of India would not be responsible for any inconvenience/problems faced as a result of finalizing travel plans before obtaining the relevant service.
Applicants sending their documents by Post/Courier are requested to ensure that they are completed and meet requirements. Processing times mentioned do not include transit time by post/courier. Transit times by Courier are generally 1-3 days on average and may be higher in remote or rural areas.
Incomplete applications will lead to an increase in processing time and applicants will need to comply with any changes in the procedure that may occur during this time. As a part of Processing Incomplete applications are returned and Courier Return fees will apply. See terms and conditions for further details

For Passports :
4 weeks :
** For fresh passport/change of detail in passport only if the old passport was issued in Australia at the same Consulate/High Commission ( e.g. if the old passport was issued by the Consulate General of India – Sydney, and the new passport is being applied for at the same location, 4 weeks processing time will be applicable)
8 weeks :
** For fresh passport/change of detail in passport only if old passport was NOT issued in Australia or NOT issued at the same Consulate/High Commission where it is presently being lodged

For lost/damaged passport 8 weeks in most cases. However in some cases it could take 4 months.
All Passport service applications are returned by Courier as a process mandate.

Photo Specifications :
Photographs should be in color and strictly as per the specifications below.
** Un-mounted – 2 inch x 2 inch in size.
** Face should cover about 70 to 80% of the photo area.
** Frame Subject with Full Face, Front view, Eyes open
** Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance.
** The photographs must be clear, well defined and taken against a plain white or light-coloured background.
** Appropriate brightness and contrast showing your skin tones naturally
** Even lighting (no shadows across or behind the face)
** Face must be square to the camera with a neutral expression, neither frowning nor smiling and with your mouth closed.
** If you must wear a head covering for religious reasons, make sure your full facial features are not obscured.
** Non-tinted prescription glasses are allowed as long as your eyes are clearly visible. Make sure that the frame does not cover any part of your eyes. Sunglasses are not acceptable.
** Headphones, wireless hands-free devices, or similar items are not acceptable in your photo.
** Photograph for Child/babies – The photograph should show the baby or child awake, looking straight at the camera with mouth closed and nothing covering the mouth. It should also show both edges of the face clearly (no toys, blankets, chair backs or other people visible) and no hair across the eyes.

Please Note:
There is one self-service Photo-booth available at each of our centres in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. The photo-booth is a self operating standard Adult photo facility and cannot be adjusted to assist with Infant, Children or Special Needs applicants’ photographs.

Fees and Charges :
Credit/Debit card surcharge of 1.95% applicable for card payments. Only Master card or Visa cards issued in Australia are acceptable

Emergency Processing Fees:
Issued for Business travellers, requiring to travel in an emergency or in the case of travel required for an urgent medical condition /death of a close relative a Consular Emergency fee of $141 + VFS Global Emergency Processing Fee of $88 (inclusive of GST) is applicable over an above standard fees.

Payment Instructions:
Preferred mode of payment
At the application centre by Credit Card/EFTPOS
At the application centre in Cash

Other Payment modes :
Fees can be paid by Money Order/Postal Order, in favour of, “VFS Services Australia Pty Ltd”
For all type of applications, same day pick up requests will incur an additional VFS Global Emergency Processing Fee of Au$88.00 (inclusive of GST) including interim/complete withdrawal cases.