Rejection of Passport Application

A passport is the most important document that anyone needs to travel abroad. It serves as both a travel document and a significant proof of address and identity. At times, the passport issuing authorities reject a small number of applications. This is mainly a result of some common errors and special situations. Continue reading to learn about the most common reasons why your passport application could be rejected.

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Reasons for Rejection of Passport Application

Some of the reasons for the rejection of an application for a passport can be so elementary that they really shouldn't be happening. If you want to avoid making such basic mistakes then here is what you need to watch out for.

1. Mistakes on the Application Form

Before you start filling out the application form, make sure you read through the instructions very carefully. If you enter the wrong information in the wrong place, it could lead to the application being deemed invalid.  

2. Incorrect Information

The information you provided was not confirmed by the government or the documents provided by you are found to be incorrect, your passport application will get rejected.

3. Incorrect Documents

When applying for a passport, you must also provide a number of documents. These documents are used to establish your identification, date of birth, and ECR status (Emigration Check Required). The Ministry of External Affairs has released a list of documents that must be submitted, and if you do not follow it, your application will most certainly be rejected.

4. Unclear Documents

Copies of all supporting documentation must be submitted with the passport application. The passport is likely to be rejected if the copies that were submitted are obscure and difficult to read.

5. Fee Not Paid

When you apply for a passport, you are expected to pay a certain fee for said passport. If you fail to pay the fee in the given time, your application for a passport could be rejected.

6. Failure to Complete Police Verification

While you can get the passport even before the police verification is over, the process of the application is not complete till this verification is done. Sometimes, applications get rejected as a result of inconclusive police verification.

This can happen if you fail to provide your current address correctly. It can also happen if you are no longer available at the address you have provided. If you apply for a passport and shift before the verification, without informing the police or the passport department, you might end up with a rejected application.

7. Criminal History

If you have a criminal history or cases pending, then your application could be rejected. This could be done to ensure 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, then you might need to submit the certificate affirming the same. This will also include cases where there are warrants issued in your name.

8. Security Reasons

There could be times when the application received could be from a person who is ranking rather high on the most wanted list by law enforcement in the country. Such applications would stand a very high chance of rejection.

9. Dues Not Paid

There is a good possibility that the passport application will be rejected if you are in debt, have availed substantial loans, or have borrowed on credit cards and failed to make consistent repayments.

Rejection of Passport Renewal

There are a variety of reasons that would necessitate the application for reissue of a passport. These reasons could be anything like running out of pages, reaching the expiry date of the current passport or even the very unfortunate situation of losing the current passport.

In this case, you are going to have to apply for a reissue of passport which can also be subject to the conditions mentioned above.

What to Do If the Application is Rejected

If your passport application is denied, the first thing you should do is look into the cause of the denial. If your application was rejected owing to a lack of police verification or inaccurate documents, you have three days to fix the error and reapply.

You can write to the RPO or file a grievance if you disagree with the reason for rejection or if the reasons are unclear. The passport office will investigate the situation and address it as soon as feasible.

If you were to treat these mistakes as a checklist, then you can rest assured that your application stands a higher chance of getting accepted. Make sure you are not at odds with any of the points mentioned here and ensure that you are very careful with the application and the documents that are submitted.

FAQs on Rejection of Passport Application

  • What are the reasons why you can't obtain a passport?

    There are a number of reasons why you cannot obtain a passport, including incomplete information, application forms that have been confiscated, police verification failures, criminal histories, and poor picture resolution, among others. 

  • Will my passport be rejected if I have unpaid loans?

    After a background check, if you still owe money on any loans, your candidature will reflect that. As a result, your passport application will be instantly rejected. Therefore, to avoid any such hassle, it is advised to pay off any outstanding loans owed to the institutions. 

  • Can anyone appeal the decision?

     When a passport office takes a negative action (like rejecting/refusing the application or imprisoning/revoking the passport) against the applicant's passport or application, the applicant has the right to file an appeal. 

  • I want to update the address and mobile number I provided when I filled out the appeal.

    As of right now, it is not possible to change your address or mobile number after you have filed an appeal. If you submitted the wrong address or phone number, you can withdraw your appeal and submit a new one with the updated information. 

  • How can I check the status of my appeal?

    After the appellant has logged the appeal, they can check on its status by clicking "View Submitted Appeal(s)" on the home screen, followed by the "Track Appeal Status" link for the appeal they want to monitor. 

  • Due to the size restriction for appeal documents, I am unable to upload them when filing an appeal.

     If you are unable to upload documents because of the size restriction (1 MB), you can still send them by mail to the address listed for correspondence in the "Upload Supporting Documents" screen. 

  • Can I appoint someone to represent me at the appeals hearing?

    In certain circumstances, such as those involving elderly, medically unfit, or illiterate appellants, the appellant may appoint another person to represent him or her at the hearing and in communications with the Consular, Passport & Visa (CPV) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs. 

  • Can I ask for a hearing date change?

    The appellant is not currently allowed to reschedule the hearing date. If the appellant misses the hearing date, they are sent a letter of reminder asking them to explain why they were unable to attend. Appellants are given a new hearing date if they satisfactorily respond to the "no-show" notice.

  • How long will it take after the appeals court rules for the passport to be reinstated?

    After the appeal is granted, the Chief Passport Officer (CPO) gives the RPO instructions to reinstate the passport right away. 

  • How do I appeal?

    You can file an appeal by logging into the PSP portal and choosing "Log appeal" from the home page if a passport office takes a negative action against your passport or application, such as rejecting/refusing your application or seizing/revoking your passport. Select the passport application you want to appeal, and then click "Log Appeal." Enter your personal information (such as your file number, date of birth, email address, mobile phone number, and address for correspondence), describe your appeal, and then click "Submit." An appeal number is allocated upon submission. After that, you must make an Rs.25 online appeal fee payment. You can submit the required documents as soon as the payment has been processed successfully. 

  • What if I disagree with the appeals court's decision?

    If the appellant is not happy with the appeals court's decision, they can appeal the decision to a higher court. 

  • Will my passport be rejected if due to inconsistency in my signature?

    Your application might be denied if your signature is inconsistent across all of the forms and documents. 

  • What paperwork is needed to submit an appeal?

    The following papers must be submitted with your appeal -A copy of the official notification or speaking order of the RPO decision, such as the order for impoundment, revocation, or notification of application rejection or passport refusal, against which an appeal has been filed. A Nominee authorization form is needed in cases where the appellant appoints another person to represent him or her at the hearing and communicate with the CPV (applicable in cases where the appellant is elderly, medically unfit, or illiterate, for example). Additional proof (if any) pertinent to the appeal. 

  • Can I submit my appeal offline?

    You can file the appeal offline if the file number against which it must be filed corresponds to a mission, post, or other location that is no longer operational. To do this, you must download the offline form and mail it, filled out, along with the necessary paperwork and payment receipt, to the correspondence address listed on the offline appeal form. 

  • I live outside of India. Do I have to be present in person at the CPO office for the hearing?

    By submitting a nominee authorization form at the time of logging the appeal, the appellant can appoint someone else to represent them at the hearing and communicate with the Ministry of External Affairs Consular, Passport & Visa (CPV) Division on their behalf if they are located outside of India. 

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