Difference Between Passport and Visa

Passport and visa are commonly understood as two terms related to foreign travel. At the same time, most of us have been asked to furnish a passport as a photo ID or proof of address document by institutions like banks.

But what is the difference between a passport and a visa? Let us understand the essence of both.

What is a Passport?

A passport is the proof of citizenship issued by a government. A passport is issued by the government of the country you live in. Its utility is to offer them official permission to move in and out of their parent country.

What Does it Look Like?

A passport is a small booklet with your color photograph printed inside. It also contains your name, date of birth, gender, address, etc. A passport consists of a unique number, issue date, and expiry date. It is issued for ten years, irrespective of the type, and renewed thereafter.

The renewal application must be made within the expiry of the passport. If your passport has expired for over three years, you will have to go through a fresh police verification.

What are the Various Passport Types?

The Indian passport is of different types depending upon whom it’s being issued to or the information being conveyed to immigration officials. Passport variants come with different colors for the booklet cover.

Blue passport (Type P)

This passport is issued to the common public of India who mostly visit other countries for purposes like tours, education, or business. The dark blue color of its cover distinguishes it from different variants.

White Passport

This passport is issued to Indian government officials visiting other countries to conduct official business. IAS and IPS officers are issued this passport.

Orange Passport

Launched in 2018, this passport is issued to individuals who have not received education beyond class ten. This is an ECR category passport, meaning ‘Emigration Check Required’, which ensures the safety of less educated citizens of the country while traveling abroad.

Diplomatic Passport

This passport has a dark red-brown cover and is issued to diplomats and senior government officers (other than those of the white passport category) who represent India on foreign tours.

There also happen to be other colors of international passports that you may happen to see with other people. For example, Red passports mainly belong to citizens of countries with a communist system of administration in the past. Members of EU countries (except Croatia) have chosen a Red passport.

Golden passports are issued to HNI foreign nationals by some countries. Green passports are the signature of Islamic and Arab states like Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, etc. Twelve or so African countries use Black passports for their citizens.

How to Apply for an Indian Passport?

Now that you understand your eligibility for being issued a particular Indian passport let us know how you need to apply.

STEP-1: Visit the online portal of Passport Seva using pre-registered login credentials

STEP-2: Select ‘Fresh Passport/Passport Reissue’ and fill out the online form

STEP-3: Submit the form by clicking ‘Upload e-form’ 

STEP-4: ‘Pay and schedule appointment’ for following procedures at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) of your choice. INR 1500 is to be paid online for a 36-page passport. Children below eight years of age and senior citizens get a 10% rebate on this application fee

STEP-5: Visit the PSK (Passport Seva Kendra) along with the necessary documents (Proof of address: Aadhaar card//electricity bill/ rent agreement/telephone or postpaid mobile bill/bank passbook, and proof of DOB: PAN card/birth certificate/school leaving certificate/EPIC). 

Your digital photograph and biometric details are taken at the PSK, along with verification of all relevant documents.

STEP-6: The PSK sends your ‘file’ to your local PS for police verification of your residence.

STEP-7: Passport issuance follows police clearance, and you receive your passport by registered post within a fortnight. 

In the smartphone era, the mPassport Seva app lets you apply for your passport from your mobile phone.

What is a Visa?

As already mentioned, a visa is an endorsement by a government allowing the entry or exit of a foreign national in the country for a specific purpose and for a particular time. Such an endorsement is given through a stamp on the visiting person’s passport.

The word ‘visa’ comes from ‘charta visa’ in Latin, meaning a document that has been seen. A passport holder applies for entry to a foreign country, and that country issues a legal permit for such application through a ‘visa.’

Freedom of Movement and Visa-free Entry

Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan do not need a visa to enter India (unless they are arriving from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and the Maldives). On the other hand, citizens of Maldives do not need a visa (visa-free entry) for a stay of up to 90 days (unless arriving from mainland China).

Visa Policy of Foreign Nations for Indian Nationals Holding Type P Blue Passports

Thirty-six countries offer e-visa facilities, 16 allow visa-free entry, and 39 provide ‘visa on arrival’ to Indian citizens.

Types of Visa

If you know a bit about different types of Indian visas it will be easier when you have to apply for a foreign visa. The following are the types of Indian visas:

1. Business visa

2. Project visa

3. Employment visa

4. Tourist visa

5. Research visa

6. Transit visa

7. X/Entry visa

8. Medical visa

9. Conference visa

The maximum duration of stay permitted in some of the above categories of visas is five years, with the scope of extension in India if need be.

Indian Visa Application

The steps involved in Online Indian visa application are as follows:

STEP-1: Identify your visa type 

STEP-2: Fill out an online application and submit it via courier/in person to IVAC or the Indian mission along with the visa fee

STEP-3: Interview at the Indian consulate/embassy

STEP-4: Grant or rejection of visa on processing

STEP-5: Passport collected on grant of visa

e-Tourist Visa (eTV)

India grants a complete online visa to the citizens of selected 150 countries.

Salient Contents of an Indian Visa

The following information is present on an Indian Visa -

• Visa type

• Date of issue

• Date of expiry

• Number of entries

• Visa number

• First name of the applicant

• Last name of the applicant

• Their passport number

Major Differences Between Passport and Visa

The differences between a passport and a Visa are mentioned below for better understanding -

People often tend to confuse between passports and visas and the purpose they bear. After reading this article, you must be quite aware of the distinct differences between two major documents related to foreign travel. 

They have different purposes and businesses that make you eligible to visit a foreign country under a particular visa class. You need a passport to apply for a visa to travel to a country.