PUBLIC ADVISORY

ON PHASING OUT OF HANDWRITTEN PASSPORTS

Indian citizens living in India and abroad are advised to urgently replace their handwritten passports with machine-readable passports. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has set a deadline of the 24`" November, 2015 for globally phasing out of all non-Machine Readable Passports (MRPs). Thereafter, foreign Governments may deny Visa or entry to any person travelling on a non-Machine Readable Passport.

1. The Government of India has been issuing Machine Readable Passports since 2001. The Passports, however, issued before 2001 and particularly those issued during mid 1990s with a validity of 20 years will fall in the category of non-MRPs. By the end of October 2015, it is estimated that there are approximately 2.50 lakh handwritten passports still in circulation. Approximately 6.20 crore Indians hold valid passports.
2. Indian citizens residing In India and abroad and holding such passports with validity beyond the 24'" November 2015 are advised to apply for re-issue of their passports well before the deadline in order to avoid any inconvenience in obtaining valid visa or international travel. Needless to mention, travel on ICAO-compliant machine readable passports will facilitate hassle-free and safe journey.
3. All Passport Issuing Authorities have instituted a simple and fast-track procedure for renewal of passports. For more details related  to passport  services, website - www.passportindia.gov.in - or the National Call Centre (1800­258-1800 - Toll Free) may be accessed. Indian citizens living abroad should visit the website of respective Indian Mission/Post.

October 29, 2015