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Suppose you have been allowed to travel overseas for a workshop on behalf of your organisation. You have been given two weeks to submit your passport to apply for the work permit. Unfortunately, your existing passport has expired, and applying for a new passport may take 30-45 days to process. As a result of this, you are unable to grab the opportunity.
Well, if that is the case, don’t deny this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as you can still apply for an emergency Indian passport- Tatkaal Passport.
A tatkal passport is issued to individuals who need a passport on short notice. But what is a Tatkal passport, and how to apply for one?
Read on to know!
What is the Tatkal Passport
A tatkal passport is an expedited passport issued to individuals who wish to travel overseas on short notice. Issuing tatkal passports is typically helpful for people who travel within a few days and require documents on short notice.
Compared to a normal passport, a Tatkal passport is issued by following a quicker verification and issuance procedure. Keep reading to understand the difference between a normal and a Tatkal passport.
How is the Tatkal Passport different from the Normal Passport?
The validity, features, and authenticity of normal and tatkal passports are similar. The key difference between the normal vs Tatkal passports is the time of issuance and the passport application fee. Understand the key difference through the facts tabulated below.
| Feature | Normal Passport | Tatkal Passport |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A normal passport is issued to the general public with an apt time to follow the generic procedures. | A tatkal passport means a passport that is issued to fulfil urgent travel needs. |
| Processing time | A normal passport takes 30-45 days to process. | A tatkal process time taken is generally between 1-3 days. |
| Documents Required | The documents required for a normal passport have a standard set. | Tatkal passport documents require a standard set of documents plus additional proof verifying the need for Tatkal passport requirement. |
| Fees | Standard passport fees | Tatkal passport fees are comparatively higher than the standard passport fee. |
| Eligibility | All Indian nationals are eligible to apply for a normal passport | The eligibility criteria for a Tatkal passport is similar to those of a normal passport. However, you should attest to additional documents to verify the Tatkal requirement. |
| Validity | The validity of a normal passport is ten years for an adult passport and five years for a minor’s passport | The tatkal passport validity is similar to the validity of a normal passport. |
Here’s a tip: Going on an international trip on very short notice has its own risk. If you have international travel insurance, you can safeguard your finances in case you face an unforeseen situation such as trip cancellation due to delay in passport verification.
Wondering who can apply for a Tatkal passport? Read on to know.
Who can Apply for a Tatkal Passport?
As mentioned above, a tatkal passport is an expedited service for individuals in urgent need of travel documents. Below are the criteria you should meet to apply for a Tatkal passport:
- The applicant should be an Indian resident born to Indian parents.
- You are not applying for a fresh passport in the Tatkal scheme. Sometimes, first-time passport applications require thorough verification; thus, your Tatkal application may/may not be approved.
- You should have the proof of urgency. Suppose you are travelling for a workshop; you should provide details of the events that suggest the urgency of the situation.
- Tatkal passport applicants need to be ready for verification with complete documents at once. You may not be eligible for the passport application if you do not have the complete set of Tatkal passport documents.
How to Apply for Tatkal Passport?
You can follow the steps below to apply for a Tatkal passport online.
- Step 1: Visit the official Passport Seva website and log in with your ID and password.
- Step 2: Choose the applicable option from the two options- “Fresh” or “Re-issue”.
- Step 3: In the dropdown for the scheme, choose the Tatkal scheme.
- Step 4: Download the passport application form and fill out the details carefully.
- Step 5: Upload the passport application form and pay Tatkal passport charges.
- Step 6: Download the passport application fee receipt. Keep the receipt safe for further reference.
- Step 7: Select an appointment at the nearest PSK after submitting the Tatkal passport fee.
- Step 8: Visit the chosen PSK on the opted date with all the documents.
Tatkal Passport: Documents Checklist
Individuals above the age of 18 years have to submit any 3 of the documents listed below for a tatkaal passport. Whereas the minors have to submit any 2 of the first 6 documents from the checklist given below:
Checklist of Acceptable Documents:
- Aadhaar Card or Original Aadhaar Letter or e-Aadhaar Card with mark issued by UIDAI verified DSC
- PAN Card
- Birth Certificates
- Updated Ration Card
- Original Educational certificates issued by Recognized Educational Institutions
- Latest Passport issued (in case of re-issue only)
- Voter ID card
- Valid Driving License within the jurisdiction of the State of submission of the applicant
- Updated Bank Statement / Kisan Passbook / Post Office Passbook
- SC/ST/OBC Certificate
- Arms License issued under the Arms Act, 1959
- Pension Documents: Ex-servicemen's Pension book / Pension payment order issued to retired government employees along with ex-servicemen's Widow/Dependent Certificates, Old Age Pension Order
- The State or Central Government, PSUs, local bodies, or Public Limited Companies issue Service Photo Identity Cards.
What is the Tatkal Passport Fee in 2023?
Below is the Tatkal passport fee you must pay while applying for a Tatkal passport.
| Scenario | Passport Size | Application Fee (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| New application/renewal in Tatkal service | 36 pages | 3,500 |
| 60 pages | 4,000 | |
| In case of change in personal details for Minors | 36 pages | 3,000 |
| 60 pages | Not Applicable | |
| Duplicate Passport when the original is lost, damaged, or stolen | 36 pages | 5,000 |
| 60 pages | 5,500 | |
| Tatkal passport in case of change in personal details with ten years of validity | 36 pages | 3,500 |
| 60 pages | 4,000 |
Please note that the Tatkal passport fee is subject to change. Kindly refer to the official Passport Seva website for updated details.
Don’t Forget to Secure Your Trip with Travel Insurance
Unplanned adventures give the best life lessons!
However, if you are on a last-minute international trip, you are more likely to end up in an unforeseen situation! Thus, as you apply for a Tatkal passport, securing your trip with travel insurance becomes even more crucial.
Fret not about the last-minute contingencies! Secure your trip with online travel insurance. Sit back and check out overseas travel insurance features and coverage while your Tatkal passport is being processed!
Disclaimer: All plan features, benefits, cover, age, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.
