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Diplomatic passport in India: Meaning, eligibility, and benefits

Team AckoDec 8, 2025

A diplomatic passport is a specific maroon cover passport issued to government officials, diplomats, and high-ranking individuals. It is an essential travel document for officials representing the Government of India abroad. As compared to an ordinary passport, a diplomatic passport provides certain privileges and benefits such as visa exemptions.

Let's take a closer look at the diplomatic passport, its eligibility requirements, what are its benefits, and how to apply for it in India.

Diplomatic

Contents

What Is a Diplomatic Passport in India?
Diplomatic Passport Eligibility Requirements
How to Apply for a Diplomatic Passport in India?
Documents Required to Get a Diplomatic Passport
Diplomatic Passport Benefits
What Is the Process for Reissuing a Diplomatic Passport?
Difference Between a Diplomatic and a Normal Passport
Can I Apply for an Ordinary Passport While Holding a Diplomatic Passport?
Documents Required for an Ordinary Passport While Holding a Diplomatic Passport
Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Diplomatic Passport in India?

A diplomatic passport in India is issued with the sanction of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to specific individuals who hold a diplomatic title. This includes members of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), consuls, and other government officials who travel to other countries to fulfil their official duties.

These are Type D passports which look distinctively different from the usual passports. The cover of a diplomatic passport has a deep maroon colour instead of the dark blue meant for regular Indian citizens. They are valid for up to 5 years or until the completion of the holder’s official assignment, whichever is earlier. These passports are strictly meant for official diplomatic duties and cannot be used for personal or unofficial travel.

Diplomatic Passport Eligibility Requirements

You may be eligible for a diplomatic passport in India if you meet any one of the criteria below:

Officers of the Indian Foreign Services (IFS) – Branch A
Selected officers of the Indian Foreign Services (IFS) – Branch B
Officers under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in need of visiting abroad for official purposes
Spouse, dependent children, parents, or an official hostess of an eligible official (as recognised by the Ministry of External Affairs)
Individuals who hold the diplomatic status
An official appointed by the Government of India for an overseas assignment

How to Apply for a Diplomatic Passport in India?

You need to submit your diplomatic passport application at the Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) Division in New Delhi. However, it is also possible to apply for the same at one of the local passport offices.

Here are the steps that will help you apply for a diplomatic passport in India:

Step 1: Visit the Passport Seva platform online to register yourself.

Step 2: Create your account and complete the login process.

Step 3: Choose the option named “Apply for Diplomatic/Official Passport”.

Step 4: Fill in the online application with accurate details such as your name, details of your family and more.

Step 5: Submit your application and click on “View/Print the Submitted Form”.

Step 6: Take the printout of your application along with other relevant documents to the Consular Office or a local Passport Office.

The authorities will conduct a verification process before issuing a diplomatic passport.

Documents Required to Get a Diplomatic Passport

Here are the documents you will need to submit along with your diplomatic passport application.

Official identification document (copy)
Official letter received from the Forwarding Officer
Copy of the Head of Office Certificate
Current original diplomatic/official passport, if available
Original Surrender or Safe Custody Certificate, if the previous diplomatic passport is with the Ministry of External Affairs
Original Cancellation Certificate, if the Surrender Certificate or Safe Custody gets cancelled by the Ministry of External Affairs
Undertaking issued by the applicant’s office, if the applicant is going to retire within six months of submitting the application
Form P1 and P1 (A)
Two passport-size photographs with a white background

Make sure all required documents are attested by the forwarding authority. Any unattested document may lead to delays or rejection of the application.

Diplomatic Passport Benefits

A diplomatic or official passport lends a special status to the holders. They receive a hassle-free experience while travelling overseas. Here are some of the major benefits of a diplomatic passport you should know about.

Special treatment while travelling and separate airport channels
No delays due to time-consuming passenger checks while boarding
Special treatment upon reaching the foreign land
Cheaper or no visa fees
No need to worry about immigration inquiries

What Is the Process for Reissuing a Diplomatic Passport?

Just as one would do with a normal passport, a diplomatic passport also must be reissued when it is nearing expiry, is out of pages, or has either been lost, damaged, or stolen. The reissue process largely follows the same steps as applying for a fresh diplomatic passport. However, additional verification from the applicant’s department is generally required.

Here’s how the reissue process of diplomatic passport works in India:

Step 1: Visit the Passport Seva portal and log in to your account.

Step 2: Select “Apply for Diplomatic/Official Passport” and choose the reissue option.

Step 3: Fill in the online form with updated details or download and upload the e-Form.

Step 4: Submit the form online and print the completed application.

Step 5: Gather all required documents, including:

Original diplomatic passport, if available
Surrender or cancellation certificate (if the previous passport is deposited with the MEA)
Forwarding letter from the applicant’s office
Head of Office certificate
Any additional documents requested by the Ministry of External Affairs

Step 6: Submit the printed application and documents to the Consular, Passport & Visa (CPV) Division in New Delhi or the designated passport office.

The Ministry of External Affairs will verify your credentials, assignment status, and eligibility before approving the reissue.

Difference Between a Diplomatic and a Normal Passport

These are the key differences between diplomatic and normal passports.

Parameter	Normal Passport	Diplomatic Passport
Issuance	Granted to VIPs and general citizens (30 to 60 pages)	Granted to high-ranking government officials (28 pages)
Validity	Adults receive the passport with 10 years of validity, while minors receive it with 5 years of validity	Issued with 5 or lesser years of validity
Purpose	Used for foreign trips for personal as well as business purposes	Used for official government-associated foreign trips

Can I Apply for an Ordinary Passport While Holding a Diplomatic Passport?

You can apply for an ordinary passport while holding a diplomatic passport in India. However, you must disclose this information at the time of an ordinary passport application to avoid a penalty of Rs. 500.

Documents Required for an Ordinary Passport While Holding a Diplomatic Passport

In general, you only need three different types of documents to apply for a regular passport while holding a diplomatic passport. Here is a list of the different kinds of documents you can give from each cohort:

Main documents:

Surrender Certificate or cancellation of diplomatic passport.
If a Surrender Certificate is not available, show the cancelled diplomatic passport with a letter mentioning the reasons.

Acceptable address proof documents:

Employer certificate from a reputable organisation.
Utility bills (water/telephone/electricity).
Income tax assessment order.
Bank account statement.
Voter ID card.
Gas connection bill.
Spouses can use a copy of the spouse's passport (first and last page with family details) if their current address matches.
Minors can provide copies of their parents' passports.

Acceptable date of birth proof documents:

An official birth certificate from the city or a government office.
High School Certificate (HSLC), Secondary School Certificate (SSLC), or certificates from recognised boards.
Affidavit sworn by a notary or magistrate in the specified format (Annexure A) for illiterate or semi-illiterate applicants (less than 5th class).

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are some of the commonly asked questions about a diplomatic passport.

Can I apply for an ordinary passport while holding a diplomatic passport?

You can apply for an ordinary passport while holding a diplomatic passport in India. However, you must disclose this information at the time of ordinary passport application to avoid a penalty of Rs. 500.

How long does the diplomatic passport processing take after application submission?

The processing of a diplomatic passport takes about 3 to 5 days after application submission.

Where do I apply for a diplomatic passport in India?

The Consular, Passport and Visa Division (CVC) in New Delhi is usually the only place to take diplomatic passport applications. You can apply for a passport at the same place that provides services for your current address.

For what do you use a diplomatic passport?

A diplomatic passport is used for official government business travel; it is not intended for personal travel.

Who is given the diplomatic passport?

The government of India issues diplomatic passports to the following individuals:

Those whom the government appoints.
Those who hold a diplomatic title.

Can a normal person apply for a diplomatic passport?

No, a normal person cannot apply for a diplomatic passport.

Can an IPS officer get a diplomatic passport?

Yes, an IPS officer is eligible to apply for a diplomatic passport.

Who is a diplomat?

A diplomat is someone who works for the government or for an intergovernmental or nongovernmental organisation to oversee international relations.

Is a diplomatic passport powerful?

Yes, a diplomatic passport is much faster than a normal passport and can easily obtain clearance from immigration formalities.

Disclaimer: The above content is sourced from secondary sources on the internet and is meant for informational purposes only. It is subject to changes. It is recommended to take the help of an expert before making any related decision.

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