Renewing an expired Indian passport

namaste_cat

I don't know, sorry Didn't realize you had already mailed it. Hmm, in that case the 7 hr trip might be for naught. 9.am. -12 counter service includes miscellaneous inquiries so never know, they might be able to give you a status update. I doubt we could count on it.

Calling them is not the easiest avenue either. I know in the past when I've tried to call them, the phone just keeps ringing. One time I did get lucky, and the person was helpful enough, so you never know...calling might be worth a shot. I've been told there's a better chance of the phone being answered on a certain day of the week (Wednesday I think) and time.

They don't mention here about expired passports but a replacement for a lost one has a 3-6 month timeline:
http://www.indianconsulate.com/services.PDF
I feel for ya. Wish you could go back in time and start over, go in person, etc. At this point, not sure you have any options but to wait When I've sent in a (valid) passport for renewal, there was no tracking #, so I'm guessing same for you - no way to know where they are in the process. I'd get on the phone as soon as possible given your time line.

akak

Thanks! I've called a couple of times and no one answered. And I got a form response on the the e-mail, and no response to an email to the passport officer's e-mail.

skinnysim

akak tell me you paid extra for the "tatkal scheme". texas consulate just told me it would take less than 10 days even by mail. They did not care when my passport expired. Seems like with anything indian 'money talks bu@%^&# walks'. By the way got the texas consulate on the phone in less than 2 mins. Try that phone number, maybe they can help.

akak

Tatkal? They let you do that? The instructions on the website expressly barred me from applying for tatkal in cases of passports expired more than 6 months.

akak

Just want to let you guys know that I got my new passport! I am quite stunned! I mailed it in via priority on 8/2 and got it on 8/24. The issue date is 8/20.
Now hopefully I will be able to get my daughter's PIO card with the same speed.

namaste_cat

That's fantastic, akak! That was super fast for an expired passport. I have had nothing but great experiences with Indian passport renewals, PIO, OCI, etc. Good luck with your daughter's PIO anyway, just in case

nycank

Why a PIO and not an OCI ? Just curious.

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akak

Honestly, I couldn't see much of a difference, and PIO is cheaper. Also it is much cheaper for a PIO holder to get OCI.

Haylo

PIOs do have to register if staying over 180 days and it does only last 15 years, whereas OCI is for life. If you're seeing PIO as a cheaper route to OCI, that does make sense.

Main differences are spelled out in this useful MHA Chart.

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akak

Yes, I had mulled those, but I don't foresee us ever visiting for more than 180 days, and for kids the PIO is $185, and to change to OCI costs $25, so saves about $65.

Hyderabadi

Same here... but with a twist.. I had put a small sticky note on the passport "Renew in OCT 2008", but somehow kept looking at the expiration date on the passport '12/05/2009', till I 'woke' up a couple of days ago and realized it meant MAY 12th 2009. How soon we forget the ways of our mother land.

Here is what the CGI Houston site says:
http://www.cgihouston.org/passportfaqnew.html#gl12

I'm now wondering, if I should send the rest of the family's passports due to expire February 2010 (yes, I checked, rechecked, converted correctly this time) along with the above and if I do, do I pay $20.00 X 4 for return mail? As mentioned above, no one picks up the phone at CGI Houston too.

(Highlight and underline mine)

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akak

I think it would only be $20 for all the passports, when I got visas on two passports I paid a single shipping fee.

sakamath

Children born to Indian passport holders (this thread was about renewing Indian passport!) are not eligible to apply for OCI until they turn 18 (or either parents become eligible for OCI). That's right?

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Hyderabadi

From my post above.

Update - I sent the expired passport (originally issued in India) on 3rd November and got it back yesterday, 17th Nov. I got a call from Fedex the previous evening about the sceduled delivery that required a signature or a 'indirect signature', that is, you need to leave a note for the delivery person to leave it at your front door, with a neighbor, etc.

Now, hopefully I'll quit procrasinating and send the rest of the passports before they expire... Hyderabad water is still in my blood, it seems. Which is a good thing.