How to Apply for Student Passport in India?

As the name suggests, a student passport is a document required to travel abroad for education. Every year, thousands of students apply overseas to pursue their education so they can acquire the necessary skill set to get their dream job. However, in addition to taking care of aspects such as the necessary travel documents, accommodation, and part-time jobs, students must also think of how they can help themselves in contingency situations. In a strange place with limited resources, preparing for unforeseeable scenarios with travelling insurance is essential.

When planning to study abroad, every student must start by ensuring all the travel documents are in place: student passport, visa, and comprehensive travel insurance. Neglecting the importance of any of these can severely impact your student application. Several countries have made it mandatory for students to be secured with a comprehensive travel insurance plan.

Now that we know what a student passport is, let’s take a look at the process to apply for one and understand what are the necessary passport documents for students.

Being acquainted with the student requirements for passport beforehand can help you plan accordingly to ensure a seamless process. Fortunately, the process for students to apply for a passport is uncomplicated. Here is how you can apply for a student passport online:

• Step 1: Visit the official website of Passport Seva and register yourself on it.
• Step 2: Find out your nearest passport office and make an appointment. Before you go for your appointment, make sure you have all the necessary documents required for passport for students.
• Step 3: Visit the passport office on the scheduled date with the self-attested documents required for passport verification for students.
• Step 4: Collect the receipt of acknowledgement from the passport office and then you can track the status of your application online.

In the time between your scheduled appointment at the passport office, every applicant must ensure that they have procured all the necessary documents. It is advisable to have both originals as well as copies of all documents and store them in a folder, so you are not rushed at the last moment. Here is a list of the passport documents for students:

• Proof of Address (current place of residence)

• Aadhar card

• Any of the utility bills such as the electricity bill, telephone bill, water bill, gas cylinder bill, etc.

• If the applicant is a minor, they will need copies of the first and last pages of their parent’s passports

• Voter ID

• Assessment order from Income Tax

• Copy of the passbook of a bank account that is active

• Agreement of rent

• Proof of Birth

• Birth certificate

• Secondary school leaving certificate

• Bonafide certificate for passport: in case the student (applicant) stays away from home, the passport office can use it for verification as the current proof of pursuing education. The bonafide certificate for passport is also needed for police verification.

• Student ID card of the institution where the student is currently pursuing their education

In case the aforementioned documents required for passport verification for students are unavailable, the applicant can submit a letter or certificate detailing valid reasons.

Every applicant is expected to pay a fee of ₹1,500 to get their passport. This payment can either be made online or by visiting the official Passport Seva website. It is easy to book an appointment once the payment has been completed.

Individuals can choose to make their payments using debit/credit cards or through internet banking or SBI challan. Applicants can also choose to complete the payment by generating an online challan and paying their dues at the nearest SBI branch.

The below-mentioned eligibility criteria need to be met if a student wishes to apply for a passport in India:

• Students over the age of 18 are considered adults and must, therefore, self-attest all the necessary documents
• If the applicant is a minor, the documents can be attested by his/her parents
• Minors are eligible for a non-ECR passport until they are below 18 years of age
• Students can submit the current address proof that is under the name of their parents

It is important to note that parental consent is mandatory for minor applicants.

A passport application is a detailed process. As there are several checks and verifications required, it may take anywhere between 25 to 30 days to get the passport. Considering the nearly month-long time frame, it is always advised to apply for a passport early on. The passport is valid for 10 years after the date of its issuance.

Late application for a passport can not only delay your plans but also cost you a lot of money.

For students, a travel insurance plan becomes the best companion in distressing times when they are away from home and their families. It can secure you from unforeseen situations that can afflict a typical travel schedule.

The comprehensive travelling insurance by Tata AIG secures the traveller against a host of unpleasant situations, right from the loss of passport and misplaced luggage to medical emergencies and trip curtailments. You can even get flight cancellation insurance to safeguard your finances against unforeseeable events such as poor weather conditions, natural disasters, or personal issues resulting in trip cancellations.