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1. FAQs on Passport [+]

1. Question: Is hand written Passport still valid?

Answer: Hand written Passports are no more valid. Please renew your Passport and get a machine Readable Passport (MRP) as soon as possible.

2. Question: How do I apply for a new Passport and which documents are required?

Answer: Please see the link: http://www.eoicaracas.gov.in/eoi.php?id=Passport

3. Question: How do I apply for a Passport for my newly born child?

Answer: You need to apply for birth registration and Passport. Please see the link: (http://www.eoicaracas.gov.in/eoi.php?id=Passports_12).

4. Question: When should I apply for a new Passport?

Answer: An Indian Passport is normally valid for 10 years from the date of its issue. It must be replaced with a fresh Passport after expiry of its validity. Application for a fresh Passport can be made up to one year before the date of expiry. It is always better to apply well in time.

5. Question: The lamination on my Passport has peeled off; is my Passport ok to travel?

Answer: If the lamination of your Passport has peeled off, the Passport is considered to be damaged. You will need to apply for a fresh booklet (Passport) under the damaged category.

6. Question: I want to apply for my Passport but I also need to travel abroad for 2 weeks. Can I submit my Passport later?

Answer: You will need to submit your original Passport at the time of lodging your application. It is recommended that you complete all required travel and then submit your application for a new Passport since, once your Passport application is registered for renewal, you will not be able to use your old Passport.

7. Question: I have lost my Passport, what should I do to get new Passport?

Answer: Please apply for duplicate Passport as suggested on: http://www.eoicaracas.gov.in/eoi.php?id=Passports_13

8. Question: Why do I have to submit a valid immigration status/visa status at the time of applying for an Indian Passport?

Answer: An Indian Passport issued outside India needs certain documentary evidence. One of them is proof that the applicant has a valid visa to be in the foreign country. The Indian Missions need to know type of immigration status/visa status assigned to you and this needs to be a recently issued (recommended within the month of application) document/proof if it’s not stamped in your last Indian Passport.

9. Question: I am not too internet savvy. Can I complete a manual Passport Application form?

Answer: Passport applications are required to be filled by online.

10. Question: Why I have to submit so many documents for an Indian Passport?

Answer: An Indian Passport is a valuable document and is not issued unless the authority concerned is convinced about the authenticity of the service request. To ensure that there are no processing issues, the Embassy of India, Caracas has provided checklist specific to each Passport category. We hope this will help ease any confusion with regard to the processing requirements.

11. Question: What is the process to endorse spouse's name on my Passport?

Answer: To endorse the spouse's name on your Passport, you have to apply for a 'Re-issue' of Passport and submit the apostilled marriage certificate. A new Passport booklet would be issued.

12. Question: My spouse is a foreign citizen. What document(s) do I need to submit along with my Passport application to include his/her name in my Passport?

Answer: For applicants whose spouse is a foreign citizen and the name needs to be included in the Passport, one of the following documents should be submitted along with the Passport application: 

i. Marriage Certificate issued by the Indian Mission/Post abroad.
OR 
ii. Marriage Certificate issued by Foreign Government, duly attested/apostilled either by:

    The Indian Mission/Post in the jurisdiction from where the Marriage Certificate was issued
    The foreign Embassy/High Commission/Consulate of that country in India

OR 
iii. Marriage Certificate issued by Foreign Embassy/High Commission/Consulate of that country in India (of which the foreign spouse is a citizen)

13. Question: There is a mistake in the spelling of my name in the Passport. What can I do?

Answer: If you find any mistake/error in the particulars printed in the Passport booklet, please return the Passport for necessary rectification. Any additional fees required to be paid would depend solely on merit of the case as decided by the Consular Officer. If there is a misrepresentation of facts, then penalty could also be imposed.

14. Question: How long is a Passport valid?

Answer: In case of adults, 10-year validity Passport would be issued. In case of minors, the validity of Passport is restricted to 5 years or till they attain the age of 18, whichever is earlier. However, the minors between 15 to 18 years of age are eligible and advised to apply for a 10-year validity Passport.

15. Question: The pages in my Passport booklet have exhausted, but it has a validity of 5 years. Is it possible to add extra pages?

Answer: No. You need to apply for "Re-issue" of Passport. A new Passport booklet would be issued to you with a fresh validity of 10 years.


2. FAQs on OCI [+]


1. Question:
What are the benefits for an OCI card holder?

Answer: An OCI card holder gets the following benefits:

I. A multiple entry, multi-purpose life-long visa for visiting India.

II. Exemption from registration with local police authority for any length of stay in India.

III. Parity with Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of economic, financial and educational fields, except in relation to acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.

IV. OCI can be used as identity proof for application of PAN Card and driving   licence as well as for opening a bank account if the OCI card holder is residing in India.

2. Question: What benefits an OCI Card holder is not entitled to?

Answer: The OCI Card holder is not entitled:

I. To vote,

II. To be a member of a Legislative Assembly or of a Legislative Council or of the Parliament of India,

III. To hold Indian constitutional posts such as that of the President, Vice President, Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court etc.

IV. He/she cannot normally hold employment in the Government.

 

3. Question: Under what conditions should one apply for a new OCI Card and Sticker?

Answer: (i) In case of issuance of new Passport. (a) For an applicant who is 20 years of age or younger, OCI documents must be re-issued each time a new Passport is issued. (b) For an applicant who is 50 years of age or older, OCI documents must be re-issued once after the issuance of a new Passport. If the OCI card is issued for the first time after the age of 50 years, then there is no need for re-issuance of OCI. (c) For an applicant who is 21 to 49 years of age, there is no need to re-issue OCI documents each time a new Passport is issued. However, if the applicant desires, he/she can request that the OCI documents be re-issued so that the OCI documents reflect the correct Passport number.

(ii) In case there is a change in personal particulars.

(iii) In case of loss/damage of Passport and/or OCI booklet.

(iv) For correcting personal particulars entered wrongly while submitting online applications e.g name, father’s name, date of birth etc.,

(v) In case of change of address/occupation. Vide circular No. 26011/06/2015-OCI dated 29th January, 2015 of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, all immigration authorities in India will not insist on production of the foreign Passport containing the 'U' Visa Sticker in the case of OCI Cardholders while they enter/exit India and the immigration clearance will be granted based on production of the 'OCI CARD ONLY'.

 

4. Question: Can foreign nationals, who are not otherwise eligible for OCI, get OCI if they are married to persons who are eligible for OCI?

Answer: The spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India cardholder registered under section 7A and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application are eligible for OCI.

5. Question: Are minor children eligible for OCI Card?

Answer: Minor children whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India are eligible for OCI Card.

6. Question: Is an applicant who had held nationality of Pakistan or Bangladesh, eligible for OCI?

Answer: No, If the applicant has ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he / she will not be eligible for OCI.

7. Question: Can a person renounce OCI?

Answer: Yes. He/she has to declare his/her intention of renunciation in Form XXII to the Indian Mission/Post where OCI registration was granted. After receipt of the declaration, the Indian Mission/Post shall issue an acknowledgement in Form XXII A. A separate application form is available for this purpose.

8. Question: Whether foreign military personnel are eligible for grant of OCI?

Answer: No. Foreign military personnel either in service or retired are not entitled for grant of OCI.

9. Question: Whether civil Govt. servant working in Ministry of Defence as IT engineers/civil contractors are eligible for OCI?

Answer: No.



3. FAQs on Visa [+]


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Indian Visa


1. Question: What is E-Tourist Visa and what are the benefits?

Answer: E-Tourist Visa (eTV) is available to the citizens of Venezuela, Aruba, Netherland and formerly Netherlands Antilles.  Travellers, whose sole objective of travel is tourism, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment or casual business visit may apply for e TV. The eTV facility is in addition to the existing Visa services being provided by the Embassy which allows you to apply from anywhere in the world and can avoid coming to the Embassy personally. It can be applied twice a year, each visit limited to 30 days. For more information, please refer to: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html .


2. Question: Do I need to come personally to the Embassy for Indian Visa?

Answer: Yes. All visa applicants are required to come personally except holders of Diplomatic/Official/Service Passports. Personal presence is required for taking biometric data. Applicants below 12 years and above 70 years in age are also exempted from biometric requirements.



3. Question: What type of visa should I apply for?

Answer:  Please refer to http://www.eoicaracas.gov.in/eoi.php?id=Online for detailed information.


4. Question:  Where should I apply for my visa?

Answer:  All residents of Venezuela and residents from Curacao, Aruba, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius & Saba (BES Islands) are required to apply to the Embassy of India, Caracas. Address” Embajada de La India 12 Avenida San Carlos, Caracas 1060-A, Distrito Capital, Venezuela”


5. Question:  Can I apply for Indian Visa from other Indian Mission in other country than Venezuela?

Answer:  Yes. The applicants under the jurisdiction of this Embassy are supposed to apply from this Mission only but if you cannot come to Caracas you may contact the other Mission giving the reasons under knowledge of this Mission.

.

5. Question:  Being a Venezuelan do I need visa?

Answer:  Yes. Only holders of Diplomatic/Official/Service Passports are exempted from an Indian visa for a stay upto 90 days in India.


6. Question:  Being a Dutch National, do I need visa?

Answer:  Yes.


7. Question: I am traveling through India to another country, do I need a visa?
Answer:  Yes. If you are traveling through India, you must obtain an appropriate visa. Transit visas are required if passing through India.


8. Question:  Are there specific vaccinations required to travel to India?

Answer:  Yes, Yellow fever vaccination certificate is a must for travel to India. This should be submitted with the visa application.


9. Question:  Do I need to make an appointment?

Answer:  Visa applications are accepted on all working days on first come first served basis (between 9.00am to 11.30am).

 

Processing Time and Fees

10. Question: How long will it take to get my visa?

Answer:  Usually visas are issued on the same day or within 3 working days to those who hold single nationality of Venezuela or of Netherlands (in case of residents of Curacao, Aruba, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius & Saba (BES Islands) and within 5 working days for those who hold double nationalities or nationals of countries other than Venezuela or Dutch.


11. Question:  How much is the fees for visas?

Answer:  The fee varies on the type and duration of visa requested. Please click on this link for all fees: Consular Fees Schedule: http://www.eoicaracas.gov.in/fee_schedule.php.


12. Question:  What is ICWF fee?

Answer:  ICWF stands for Indian Community Welfare Fund. It is an additional fee charged from every consular applicant. For more details, please see: http://www.mea.gov.in/icwf.htm .

Payment by Cash/Credit Card Questions

13. Question:  Can I pay fee by credit card or cash?

Answer:  No. For more information, see http://www.eoicaracas.gov.in/fee_schedule.php .


14. Question:  Being a resident of Curacao, Aruba, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (BES Islands), can I pay in Bolivars?


Answer: No. All residents of residents from Curacao, Aruba, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius & Saba (BES Islands) are required to pay in US$ by bank drafts only. For more see http://www.eoicaracas.gov.in/fee_schedule.php .

Persons of Indian Origin

15. Question: I am of Indian Origin, what type of visa should I apply for?

Answer:  A person of Indian Origin may apply for an Entry Visa/Tourist visa. The Tourist visa, however, is non-convertible and non-extendable.


16. Question: I am of Indian Origin, but my spouse or child are not. What type of visa should they apply for?

Answer:  Spouses and children of a person of Indian origin traveling to India to visit family or for tourist related reasons have the option to apply for either a Tourist Visa or an Entry visa.

Troubleshooting The Online Visa Application

17. Question: Do I need to upload photo online?


Answer: Yes. You should upload the photo online and the same photo should be glued on the application.

18. Question: I am an unemployed adult. What can I enter under 'Profession'?


Answer: Choose 'Other' and in the 'Employer Name and Address' field, please enter 'None'.


19. Question: I am completing a form for my baby who does not have a profession. What can I enter?


Answer: Choose 'Other' and in the 'Employer Name' field, please enter 'NA minor child'. If your child is going to school, please choose 'Student' under profession.


20. Question: The options under 'Profession' does not include my job. What can I do?


Answer: You have the option to choose 'Other' and in the 'Designation/Rank' field, specify your job title.


21. Question: The visa form allows me to enter any Duration of Visa in months. My trip is only for one week. What can I enter?

Answer: Please enter the number of months needed for the duration for your trip taking into account that the duration starts when your visa is issued. If your trip is 3 months in the future, and the duration of the trip is 1 month, it's best to enter 6 months to give yourself extra time.


22. Question: How do I answer 'Any other valid Passport/Identity Certificate (IC) held?'.

Answer: If you possess any other Passport, travel document or Identity Certificate that is valid and issued to you by the country of your current nationality or any other country, answer YES and provide the required details. If not, answer NO.


23. Question: What do I choose for Indian Mission?

Answer:  Venezuela Caracas.


24. Question: What do I enter if I don’t have a 'Citizenship or National ID number'?

Answer: Please enter 'NA'.


25. Question: There is no place for me to enter my middle name. Where do I type it in?
Answer: Enter your middle after your first name in the Given Name field.


26. Question: Can I save my application, and come back to it later?

Answer: When you begin an application online, you will be provided with a Temporary Application ID which is usually 15 alphanumeric digits. Using this Application ID and temporary password, you will have up to seven days to complete your application. You can resume a partially completed application by going to the online India visa application (https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/), choose "Complete Partially Filled Form". On the following page, enter your Temporary Application ID number and choose "submit”. Please remember that if you do not complete your application within seven days, your application will be deactivated and you will have to start a new application.


27. Question: Being a resident of Aruba/Curacao/Sint Maarten/Bonaire, Sint Eustatius & Saba (BES Islands) I do not have a reference person or address in India and in Venezuela as it is a column in the online application form?

Answer:  Please put the full address of the hotel you will stay in India or full address of the travel agency you have booked and in the column for reference in Venezuela you can enter any name, address &. contact details of the resident of island you live in.


28. Question: We do not have a reference person or address in India because we’re going on a cruise which ports in India for a few days and staying on the vessel overnight. What information can I enter on the visa application under 'Reference in India'?

Answer: You may enter the full name of the vessel and complete address of the port in which your cruise ship will dock. If this information is not available or complete, a copy of your cruise itinerary should be submitted along with your visa application.


29. Question:  I made a mistake on my visa application, how should I correct it?

Answer: Mistakes made on your online visa application if submitted cannot be corrected. Please ensure that all information is complete and that Passport information is entered exactly as it shown on your Passport. If you continue to encounter issues, you are allowed to complete a new online application.


30. Question: I did not put the complete address in online visa application, what should I do?

Answer: Please ensure that the permanent/temporary and office addresses are correct and complete which include flat/house number/name, street, avenue and area code. Application with incomplete address will not be accepted.  


Documents to Include

31. Question:  Do I really need to send my Passport?


Answer:  The visa is a sticker that is placed on a page in your Passport. Hence we require your passport to paste the sticker on it.


32. Question:  What kind of photos do I need?

Answer: You need to include one recent Passport size (2x2 inch) color photograph depicting a front pose against white background on photographic paper. No glasses are allowed to be worn in the photo. Affix the photo on the India Visa Application with glue or paste. Do not staple the photo.


33. Question:  I do not have a valid ID that reflects my true current address, is there an alternate method to prove my residency?

Answer: You may submit a copy of a major utility bill (Water, Gas, Electric, Sewage) or a copy of a valid/current lease containing both the landlord and tenant signatures.


33. Question:  What should be submitted as proof of residence when the applicant is a minor?

Answer:  If the applicant is a minor, the proof of residence for the Parents is sufficient.


Passport Requirements

34. Question:  How many blank pages do I need in my Passport for a visa?

Answer:  You need three full blank pages.


35. Question:  My Passport will expire soon, can I get a visa?

Answer:  Your Passport must be valid for at least six (6) months. If it expires in even a day less than six months from the date of application, a visa will not be granted.

Making Payments


36. Question:
  I completed the application and printed it out, how do I pay?

Answer: Please see the payment options on the link: http://www.eoicaracas.gov.in/fee_schedule.php