What Is 𝑺𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑷𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕: How to Apply, Validity & Status

In the grit to get admission to their favourite college abroad or in another city, students often forget to take care of an important document. This document is their passport. The student passport is crucial to apply for colleges and  travel across borders after admission to a student’s dream college.

The passports are now easy to apply through the official passport office portal in India. The passports for students can either be applied for by students in the case of majors, or by parents in the case of minors. This document can also be furnished to prove their identity as Indian citizens.

In this article, learn about student passport application methods, steps to get the document, required set of documents, eligibility, fees, and more. 

What is Student Passport in India?

A student passportis a travel document in India which can be availed by students who wish to study abroad for completing their higher education. This document is issued by the Passport Authority of India after students furnish the required documents and meet their set eligibility criteria. A nominal fee is also charged by the authority for the students to get their passports. Minors need the documentary proof of their parents alongside their documents to apply for passport. However, people who have attained the legal age of 18 can apply for a passport on their own with self-attested documents.

How to Apply for Student Passport in India?

It is easy to apply for a student passport in India. The authority has made applications for student passports available online. The student passport application can be filled online on the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) official portal. The steps to apply for and get a passport in India are mentioned below.

Steps to Get a Student Passport in India

Students are required to fill out the passport (normal/tatkal) application on the PSK portal by filling in all the required information. After submitting the student passport application form, they need to book an appointment with the PSK, submit the required fee, and keep a printout of the same for future reference. The steps to get an appointment for a student passport in India through the official Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) portal are as follows:

Step 1: Collect the required sets of original documents asked by the PSK. 

Step 2: Book an appointment on the official website of PSK for a passport for student and pay the fee as asked by the authority. 

Step 3: Visit the official PSK centre that you opted for while booking the appointment on the allotted day with all the necessary documents. 

Step 4: Furnish the documents to the PSK representative as asked. Both self-attested documents and the original set of documents need to be provided for verification.

Step 5: Collect the acknowledgement receipt as given by the PSK. The student’s passport status can be checked online. The passport will be sent to the student’s address in the stipulated time frame. 

Documents Required for Student Passport

Certain documents are required in order to apply for a student passport in India. The list of documents asked by the Passport Authority of India is as follows:

Proof of Address

• Latest bill for utility services like water or electricity
• Latest telephone or mobile bill
• Assessment order of Income Tax
• Photo identity card issued by the Election Commission of India
• Employer’s issued certificate (in case of employed students)
• eAadhar card
• Registered rental agreement
• Parent’s passport copy (first page only in case of minor students)
• Photo of active bank account passbook from any private or public financial institution under RBI 

Birth Proof

In situations where original birth proofs cannot be submitted or retained by the student’s institution, a photocopy of the same or a letter mentioning the reason can be submitted. Also, photocopies of certificates which have been attested by the institutional head are accepted.  

• Birth certificate
• School or secondary school leaving certificates (Those recognised by educational boards and institutions are accepted and valid)

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Required Fees for a Student Passport

If one is applying for a fresh student passport, they have to pay the fee of ₹ 1,500. The student passport application fee needs to be paid at the time of online registration through the official portal while booking the appointment with Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). The payment mode offered by the PSK to the students is as follows:

• SBI Challan
• Debit Card
• Credit Card
• Internet Banking

Who Can Apply for Student Passport?

In order to apply for a student passport in India, one needs to meet the following conditions:

• Students above the age of 18 are considered adults and need to self-attest their documents.
• Parents need to attest their child’s document if they are a minor. 
• The proof of present address of the minor’s parents will be accepted and noted by the authority.
• Minor students of India are entitled to the category of non-ECR (Non-Emigration Check Required) category until they reach the age of 18.

How Much Time Does it Take to Get a Student Passport?

Attaining a student passport is easy in India if one has all the required documents and meets the requirements. After validation, the Passport Authority of India takes 25 to 30 days to send the passport to the student’s address. In the case of tatkal passports, it takes up to a maximum of 10 days for the authority to issue the student passport.

Conclusion

A student passport is one of the most important documents that one can avail in India. The Passport Authority of India asks for only a few requirements to be completed for issuing the passport. A student passport can prove to be helpful in many situations like proving their identity, for travelling, among others. The online portal of the Passport Authority has made it easier for students to apply for passports and complete the student passport application in a few simple steps.

FAQ’s about Student Passport