E-Passport Explained: Eligibility, Benefits, and How to Apply

What is an e-Passport ?

An e-Passport is a combination of paper and electronic passport supported by Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Chip and an antenna, that are embedded in the passport cover. This chip will contain personal details and biometric information of the holder. A small gold symbol printed below the front cover of the passport will be the differentiating factor. It aims to expedite immigration clearances in a contactless manner. The goal is to create a platform that is transparent, reliable and more accessible.

Who is eligible to apply for the e-Passport ?

Any Indian Citizen eligible for a regular passport can apply for the e-Passport. During the early phase, the facility is available only in selected Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) iin prime cities. With the passage of time, the service will be made available across the nation.

Process to Apply for an e-Passport.

Visit the official website of Passport Seva Portal.

New entries shall register, existing users can login with their credentials.

Select “Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue” and fill the online form with required details.

Select the nearest PSK or POPSK for an appointment and pay the online fees.

Visit the appointment centre carrying the original documents. The biometrics data will be captured there.

Once you finish the process and get approved, the e-Passport will be delivered to the registered address.

Benefits of e-Passport

The major benefit of having an e-Passport is that all the necessary information gets integrated in a contactless tech-enabled electronic chip. This will lead to easy authentication by the immigration officials globally. Preventing the passport from forgery, duplication or any potential fraudulence is the prime goal of the e-Passpoert. Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is the beholder of the underlying technology supporting the security of the passport. It is responsible for safeguarding the digital information and confirming the integrity and originality of the data.

As and when a new passport is issued or renewed after the expiry date, the citizens can apply for the e-Passport. There is no requirement to immediately replace the regular passports with the e version. When a respective Passport Office is enabled for issuing e-Passport, the citizens can apply under that office.