Senior citizens often need to travel abroad for various reasons ranging from medical treatments to reuniting with their families.
As we all know, a passport is the primary requirement for travelling outside the country, regardless of age. Whether you are an infant or an elderly person, you must have a valid passport to travel outside the country.
While the requirements for obtaining a passport remain similar for all types of applicants, the application process slightly differs for senior citizens.
In this blog, we will discuss everything you need to know about getting a passport for senior citizens. This includes the process for submitting a passport application for senior citizens, fees, eligibility criteria and more.
Eligibility Criteria for Passport for Senior Citizens
The applicant must meet the following requirements in order to apply for a passport under the senior citizen category:
Note: You are a resident of Jammu & Kashmir if you were born in Jammu & Kashmir or have either permanent or present residence there. |
Documents Required for Passport for Senior Citizens
Proof of Address (You can submit any document from the below list)
Proof of Age (You can submit any document from the below list)
How to Apply for Passport for Senior Citizens
There is no special passport available for senior citizens in India. All ordinary individuals are issued the Blue or Type-P passport. This means that the passport application process for senior citizens is the same as that for regular citizens.
Here are the simple steps for your reference:
Register with Passport Seva's online portal and create a user ID and password. These credentials will be used for the entire application process.
Login with the User ID and password created in the above step.
Select “Fresh” from the given options: “Fresh” and “Re-issue”.
Download the passport application form or fill it out online.
Submit it and upload all the specified documents. Once your application is submitted successfully, download the acknowledgement receipt.
Pay the passport fee mentioned in your application.
Senior citizens do not have to book appointments before visiting the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). You can directly visit the nearby PSK along with their application acknowledgement receipt and original documents for verification.
Submit your biometrics and complete the other legal formalities.
Next, complete the police verification process.
Once done, you will receive your passport within 30-45 days of application submission. In the case of Tatkal passports, you can expect it in a week.
Passport Renewal for Senior Citizens
The passport renewal process for senior citizens is quite simple and straightforward. Similar to others, senior citizens can renew their passports a year before their expiry. Interestingly, they can even renew them after their expiry without facing any penalties.
Below are the documents required for senior citizen passport renewal:
Address Proof (Any utility bill, PAN, Aadhaar Card)
Copies of the first two and last pages of the original passport. Make sure that the copies are clear and self-attested.
Current Passport.
Passport Fee for Senior Citizens
Service |
Normal Application Fee |
Tatkal Application Fee |
Fresh passport (36 pages) | ₹1,350 (after 10% senior citizen discount) | ₹3,150 (after 10% senior citizen discount) |
Passport renewal (36 pages) | ₹1,500 | ₹3,500 |
Fresh Passport (60 pages) | ₹1,800 (after 10% senior citizen discount) | ₹3,600 (after 10% senior citizen discount) |
Passport renewal (60 pages) | ₹2,000 | ₹4,000 |
Replacement of lost, damaged, stolen passport (36 pages) | ₹3,000 | ₹5,000 |
Replacement of lost, damaged, or stolen passport (60 pages) | ₹3,500 | ₹5,500 |
Police Clearance Certificate | ₹500 | ₹500 |
Note: Senior citizens receive a
discount of 10% on the fresh passport application fee.
Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) Timings for Walk-in Service
As mentioned above, senior citizens can directly walk into their nearby PSK along with their documents after applying online. The timings and working days are as follows:
Working Days - Monday to Friday
Holidays - Saturday and Sunday
Appointment Timings - 9.30 am to 4.00 pm
Lunch Timings - 1.30 pm to 2.00 pm
Summary
Similar to any other individual, senior citizens also require a passport to travel outside of India.
The process for applying for the issuance of a fresh passport is the same as a normal passport application. First, the applicant needs to submit his application form online and then to the nearest PSK for document submission.
Unlike regular passport applicants, senior citizens can directly visit the Passport Seva Kendra nearby. In addition, they get a 10% discount on the fee for a fresh passport issuance under the Normal and Tatkal categories.
We hope this guide on “passport for senior citizens” helps you!
Need for Senior Citizens Travel Insurance
When it comes to travelling abroad, senior citizens face unique challenges. These include health emergencies, loss of belongings, accidental injuries and so on.
This is where
international travel insurance comes into the picture. It is a critical travel document, just like a passport.
Our
senior citizens' travel insurance plans offer dedicated coverage for unforeseen events like emergency hospitalisation, trip delays, baggage loss, theft, medical evacuation and more.
In addition to the above benefits, our travel insurance plans also offer 24*7 emergency assistance to keep you or your elders safe during their journey.
Contact us today for more information!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum passport senior citizen age limit?
There is no maximum age limit to get an Indian passport. Anyone at any age can apply.
Can a 75-year-old get a passport?
Yes. A 75-year-old can get a passport under the senior citizen category. In addition, senior applicants are also eligible for a 10% discount on the fresh passport fee (not for renewal/replacement).
What if my passport gets stolen?
If your passport is lost, damaged or stolen, you can apply for a re-issue. The process for passport re-issuance is the same as that of a fresh passport.
For how long is a senior citizen passport valid?
The validity of a senior citizen’s passport is the same as that of a normal passport, which is ten years.
Do senior citizens need to make an appointment to re-issue their passports?
No. Senior citizens are not required to schedule an appointment to apply for a passport. They can directly visit any nearby PSK for their documents and biometric submission.
What is the colour of the senior citizen passport?
Senior citizens are issued the Blue (Type-p) passport in a similar way to ordinary citizens. In India, no separate passport is available for senior citizens.
