Why passports may no longer serve as valid address proof

Even if the proposal gets a green signal, it is unlikely affect the passport office and the immigration department

By: News Desk |
January 12, 2018 3:34 pm

You may no longer be able to use your passport as a valid address proof as the external affairs ministry is mulling to remove the last page which includes address of the holder.

Currently, the last page of the passport contains the residential address of the holder while the first page has the photograph as well as other important details.

If the proposal gets a green signal, it is unlikely affect the passport office and the immigration department (or security agencies) because they have all the details of the passport holder in the back-end.

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As has always been the case when a new series is issued, all existing passports will remain valid till their expiry date.

Confirming that the change could happen when the “next series” of passports is issued, a ministry official told Hindustan Times: “The decision to keep the last page of the passport blank has been taken” adding that it is intended to protect the details contained.

Indian Express

The HT report also claimed that the ministry is also considering some changes in the colour of the passports.

At present, passports are being issued in three colours- white for government officers; red for diplomats; and blue for all others across two categories — those who require emigration check (ECR) and those who do not (ECNR).

Also Read: NRIs who harass their wives or abandon them could face cancellation of their passport

The colour change is likely to be introduced in ECR category with orange coloured passports. This will make it clear whether the emigration check is required or not, hence speeding up the emigration process.