Phasing out of non-Machine Readable Passports
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has set a deadline of 24th November 2015 for globally phasing out all non-Machine Readable Passports (MRPs). From 25th November 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 will also fall in this category. The Government started issuing MRP passports since 2001. 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 24th November 2015, should, therefore, apply for re-issue of passports and obtain MRP passports well before the deadline in order to avoid any inconvenience in obtaining foreign visa or immigration problem.
mea.gov.in