New India passport fee, rule, and travel updates for GCC

India has announced important updates to its passport fees, travel regulations, and immigration laws. Since a large number of Indian expats live in the UAE and the wider Gulf region, these changes are highly relevant to daily life and travel planning.

Here is a simple, direct guide to the latest updates, whether you are an Indian citizen residing in the GCC or a visitor planning a trip to India soon.

1. Passport Clarified as a Travel Document Only

India’s Ministry of External Affairs recently clarified that an Indian passport is officially a travel document and does not serve as proof of citizenship. This statement has drawn significant attention from expats worldwide.

Additionally, India continues to issue its modern e-passports. These new documents feature secure embedded microchips containing personal and biometric data to make international travel smoother.

2. New Passport Issuance and Renewal Fees

Passport fees have increased for the first time in 14 years. Below are the updated rates now in effect:

• 36-Page Passport (Normal): Increased from Rs1,500 to Rs2,500
• 36-Page Passport (Tatkaal): Increased from Rs3,500 to Rs5,000
• 60-Page Passport (Normal): Increased from Rs2,000 to Rs3,500
• 60-Page Passport (Tatkaal): Increased from Rs4,000 to Rs6,000
• Lost/Damaged 36-Page Passport (Normal): Hiked from Rs3,000 to Rs5,000
• Lost/Damaged 36-Page Passport (Tatkaal): Hiked from Rs5,000 to Rs7,500
• Lost/Damaged 60-Page Passport (Normal): Hiked from Rs3,500 to Rs6,000
• Lost/Damaged 60-Page Passport (Tatkaal): Hiked from Rs5,500 to Rs8,500
• Minor’s Passport (Normal): Now Rs1,750 (previously Rs1,000)
• Minor’s Passport (Tatkaal): Now Rs4,250 (previously Rs3,000)

3. New Air Suvidha 2.0 Health Portal

International travelers arriving in India must now fill out a mandatory health self-declaration form using the Air Suvidha 2.0 portal. Launched due to global health safety measures, this form tracks travel history over the past 21 days, exposure history, and any symptoms.

Travelers must submit the Self Declaration Form online within 24 hours before starting their journey to India. You will need to show the downloaded form at the airport health desk or immigration counter upon arrival.

4. Updated Immigration Rules

For foreign nationals wishing to stay longer in India, registration rules have changed. Visitors must now complete their registration "any time before the expiry of 180 days" from their arrival date. This replaces the previous rule, which required registration within 14 days after the 180-day period ended.

This registration requirement does not apply to children where at least one parent is an Indian citizen and intends to keep the child’s Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

However, if a child obtains foreign citizenship while living in India, parents must notify the Registration Officer within 30 days of getting the new citizenship.

This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here