How to Renew an Indian Passport in the UK

If you’re in the UK and hold an Indian passport, you may need to apply to renew your passport because it’s going to expire in six months, you’ve run out of pages, it has been misplaced, or you’ve had a name change.

The good news is that it is possible to renew your Indian passport while in the UK. In this guide, we will walk you through the documents you will need and the fees you will pay to complete this process.

How to Renew Indian Passport in the UK

You will be able to communicate with the Indian government fully online to request a passport renewal. The Indian government works with a company called VFS Global to handle the physical visa and passport services to Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs). You will have to go to a VFS office in person to complete the application.

(If necessary, you may authorize an immediate family member, your spouse, or a close blood relative to go on your behalf.)

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Four Steps to Renew Your Passport

Let's go through the four steps that you will need to take:

1. Print out your complete Indian passport renewal UK application form by registering at passportindia.gov.in.
2. Schedule an appointment at your closest VFS centre for renewing an Indian passport in the UK.
3. Submit at your appointment the ten documents, photos, and forms of ID detailed below.
4. Track your application online with VFS before receiving your new passport. 

What Documents Are Required for an Indian Passport Renewal in the UK?

When you apply for Indian passport renewal online, you will not have to submit any paperwork to the high commission of India. The physical paperwork comes when you arrive at your local VFS centre, which will verify your identity, forward your application to the high commission for you, and send you back your new passport. This process should be a smooth and swift one as long as you correctly fill out the documents appropriate for your unique request (e.g. you are applying on behalf of your child or are newly married with a name change).

List of Required Documents

Here is the standard list of documents that you will need to submit at your VFS appointment:

1. Signed and printed application form — that you filled above;
   (The “Other Address” section must contain an Indian address, such as a family address.)
2. Printed appointment confirmation;
3. VFS declaration form — download here;
4. Annexure E — download here;
5. Personal particulars form (for police verification) — download here;
6. Four recent and identical 50mm x 50mm size photographs;
7. The old Indian passport;
8. Copy of the first and last page of the old passport;
9. Originals and copies of valid UK Visa or Biometric Residence Permit;
10. Proof of UK address.

Your specific case may vary from this standard procedure of renewing an adult passport before expiry. Below you will find the other most common Indian passport renewal procedures in the UK, and the additional documentation required to fulfil your request:

What Are the Fees for an Indian Passport Renewal in the UK?

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When you renew your Indian passport in the UK, there will be costs for the service. Fees will increase for non-standard passport renewals, such as replacing a lost one or renewing a passport over a year past expiry, so we recommend you save money by submitting your applications early. Here’s a summary of the fees charged for some of the most common Indian passport renewal services¹.

How Long Does It Take for an Indian Passport Renewal in the UK?

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Reissuing an Indian passport that is about to expire will be delivered to you ideally within 10 working days to two weeks. If information is incorrect or details need to be verified, the process could take as long as 5 weeks³.

In any case, VFS will ship back your original documents, such as your old Indian passport, within around 3 to 10 working days

Tracking Your Passport

Track the following steps with the tracking number that VFS⁴ provides you:

• Forwarding: Once you finish your appointment with VFS, they will forward your application to the Embassy or Consulate of India in the UK. This will happen immediately.
• Review: Your application will go under review by the Embassy. This could take about a week.
• Approval: The Embassy has approved your request and has dispatched it back to VFS. Shipping times will vary depending on the courier you choose.
• Delivery: VFS has prepared your package and is awaiting pick up by the courier of your choice.

If you want your passport to be re-issued in an emergency situation, submit an application with Tatkal service. The processing time is two to three working days.

How to Issue an Indian Passport for a Newborn in the UK

If you are living in the UK with your newborn in the UK, then you may apply to issue a new Indian passport for a minor. Here is the list of the bare minimum documents that you will need to submit under the child’s name to the VFS appointment centre.

List of Required Documents

1. Signed and printed application form — that you filled above;
   (The “Other Address” section must contain an Indian address, such as a family address.)
2. Printed appointment confirmation;
3. VFS declaration form — download here;
4. Annexure E — download here;
5. Personal particulars form for the minor (for police verification) — download here;
6. Four recent and identical 50mm x 50mm size photographs;
7. Originals and copies of a valid UK Visa or Biometric Residence Permit;
8. Proof of UK address.

In addition to the standard documents listed above, you must submit the following:

• Annexure D — download here;
• Change of appearance declaration — download here;
• Two personal particulars forms of both parents (one per parent) — download here;
• Copy of first and last page of parents Indian passport;
• Parent's valid UK Visa or Biometric Residence Permit;
• Copy of parents' marriage certificate.

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References Used in this Guide

1. VFS Global. Passport Information. Accessed 18 November 2021.

2. High Commission of India. Indian Passport. 18 November 2021.

3. High Commission of India. Indian Passport. 18 November 2021.

4. VFS Global. Track Information. Accessed 18 November 2021.