MUSCAT -- The issuance of Machine Readable Passports (MRP) for the Indians residing in Oman, as instructed by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, is going smooth and there is no backlog whatsoever as far as the issue is concerned and will complete the process in a couple of months.
Most of the passports issued by the Indian Embassy in Muscat before 2004 having a 10 years' validity are expected to have returned to the diplomatic mission for renewal and in view of this, the embassy is well placed to reissue new passports, according to the official in charge of the department.
"We are well-placed as to the Machine readable Passports are concerned and there is absolutely no rush or crisis whatsoever regarding the new passport. In the last almost 10 years, we are hoping that almost all Indian residents in Oman might have converted their passports into MRP's", a representative of the Visa and Consular Section at the Indian Embassy said.
The Ministry of External Affairs of Government of India, in accordance with the guidance of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), had issued a circular in December 9, 2013 setting a deadline of November 24, 2015 for globally phasing out all non-Machine Readable Passports (MRPs). From November 25, 2015 onwards, foreign Governments may deny visa or entry to any person travelling with a non-MRP passport. All handwritten passports with pasted photos earlier issued by Government of India are considered non-MRP passports. All 20-year validity passports would also fall in this category. Since 2001, the Government of India has been issuing MRP's to its citizens and all new Indian passports are ICAO-compliant MRP passports.
Indian citizens residing in India and abroad and holding handwritten passports as well as 20-year passports with validity beyond the November 24, 2015 were asked to apply for re-issue of passports and obtain MRP passports well before the deadline.
"This deadline is set in order to avoid any inconvenience in obtaining foreign visa or to avoid immigration problems in other countries".
All ordinary Indian passport is valid for ten years from the date of issue with a provision for the Passport Issuing Authority (PIA) to issue passport even for a shorter duration. If the passport is issued for a short period for any reason, it can be renewed up to a maximum period of ten years without paying any additional fee. Minors are issued passports for 5 years or up to attaining 18 years, whichever is earlier.
In case the current passport is issued by other Passport Issuing Authority, Personal Particulars Form (PPF) in duplicate with photos pasted should also be submitted. If the existing passport had been issued in India then fill the Personal Particulars Form (India). If it had been issued outside India by any Indian mission, then the Personal Particulars Form (missions) should be submitted. Passport can be renewed anytime within one year before its expiry date.
All applicants seeking passport or passport related services are required to be physically present at the time of making application in the Sultanate of Oman and should visit in person at BLS Office in Muscat or its mobile collection centres located at Sur, Sohar, Nizwa, Salalah, Buraimi, Khasab, Jalan bu Ali and Ibri. This is also applicable for minors (up to 18 years) and new born babies. For minors, both parents' passport copies are required. Both the parents have to sign the application form at the designated place.
© Oman Daily Observer 2014
