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Key Highlights
- A passport is mandatory to travel abroad but, at times, passport issuing authorities may reject your passport application due to certain reasons.
- Making mistakes on the application form, providing incorrect information, providing unclear documentation, failing to pay debt, or having a criminal record against you are some of the passport rejection reasons.
- If your passport application is denied, you should try to find out the reason behind it.
- You can also file a grievance if you disagree with your passport rejection reasons.
A passport is a mandatory document if you need to travel abroad because it serves as an important proof of address and identity. You can apply for a passport through online portals and receive it within a few days or weeks.However, there are instances when passport issuing authorities may reject your passport application. This may happen due to misinformation from the applicant's end among other passport rejection reasons.In this blog, you will find out the common passport rejection reasons in India.
What are the Most Common Passport Rejection Reasons?
Some of the most common passport rejection reasons in India are mentioned below:
Mistakes in the Application Form
You must carefully read through the instructions given on the application form before you start filling it out. Incorrect information entered can lead to the application being rejected.Moreover, if the information provided by you is not confirmed on the supporting documents, your passport application is more likely to get rejected.
Incorrect Documents
A passport application requires you to submit certain documents to prove your identity and date of birth, and to determine your ECR (Emigration Check Required) status. The Ministry of External Affairs has released a list of documents that must be submitted; and if you fail to submit them, your passport application could be rejected.
Unclear Documents
A photocopy of all the supporting documentation must also be submitted with the passport application. If the submitted copies are obscure or difficult to read, it could also become one of the passport rejection reasons.
Failure to Pay the Application Fee
This is among the most common passport rejection reasons. When you apply for a passport, you are expected to pay a certain fee. However, if you fail to pay the fee during the stipulated time frame, your application for a passport could be rejected.
Failure to Complete Police Verification
The passport application process remains incomplete till the police verification is done. Your passport application can get rejected if:
- You fail to provide your current address correctly.
- You are no longer available at the address you have provided.
- You do not inform the police about your changed address.
This results in failure to complete police verification and your passport application may be rejected.
Criminal History
This is one of the primary passport rejection reasons. If you have criminal cases pending against you or there are warrants issued in your name, then your passport application could be rejected. The rejection may happen to ensure that you are available in the country for the duration of the trial.In case you have been involved in a criminal investigation but the charges against you were dropped, you would need to submit the certificate confirming the same at the time of your passport application.
Unpaid Dues
There is a possibility that your passport application may get rejected if you are in high debt, have availed substantial loans, and/or failed to make consistent repayments of your credit card borrowings.
What to do if Passport Application Gets Rejected?
If your passport application gets rejected, you should try to find the cause of the rejection. If the passport rejection reasons include denial on grounds of lack of police verification or inaccurate documents, you can reapply in three days.If you disagree with the passport rejection reasons or if the passport rejection reasons are unclear, you can file a grievance. The passport office will then investigate the situation and address your complaint.
Importance of Amending Passport Rejection Reasons
If you try and avoid the passport rejection reasons mentioned in this blog and treat them as a checklist before starting your application, your passport application will have a higher chance of getting accepted.Make sure that you enter the correct information, provide the right documentation and pay the passport application fee on time. You must also be available for police verification to ensure quick processing of your passport. Also Read: Lost your Passport while Overseas? Here’s what to do
FAQS - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can my passport application be rejected?
Yes, your passport application can be rejected due to several passport rejection reasons, such as incorrect information, unpaid dues, criminal history, etc.
What are the different passport rejection reasons?
There are many passport rejection reasons, such as the provision of incomplete or incorrect information, failure of police verification, failure to pay the application fee, and criminal history,
among others.
Will my passport be rejected if I have unpaid loans?
If you owe substantial money on loans and have failed to make consistent repayments of your borrowings, it will reflect on your passport eligibility. As a result, your passport application may get rejected.
Can I file a complaint if I disagree with my passport rejection reasons?
Yes. If you disagree with the passport rejection reasons or if the passport rejection reasons are unclear, you can file a grievance.
Will my passport be rejected due to inconsistency in my signature?
Your passport application may be denied if your signature is inconsistent across documents.
When can my passport renewal application be rejected?
Your passport renewal application can be rejected in situations when you run out of passport pages, you reach the expiry date of your current passport, or you lose your current passport.
What to do if my passport renewal application is rejected?
In this case, you will have to apply for a reissue of your passport.
Can I appeal a passport rejection?
Yes, you can appeal a passport rejection. You will need to submit a written appeal along with additional documentation to the passport authorities for the same.
How long does it take to reapply for a passport after rejection?
The waiting period for reapplying for a passport after rejection depends on the initial passport rejection reasons and policies of the passport authority. You should consult with the authorities to determine the waiting period for reapplication.
Can I travel abroad if my passport is rejected?
No, you cannot travel abroad if your passport is rejected.
The information contained herein is generic in nature and is meant for educational purposes only. Nothing here is to be construed as an investment or financial or taxation advice nor to be considered as an invitation or solicitation or advertisement for any financial product. Readers are advised to exercise discretion and should seek independent professional advice prior to making any investment decision in relation to any financial product. Aditya Birla Capital Group is not liable for any decision arising out of the use of this information.
