The notification pops up on your phone.

Your Kuwait Civil ID renewal is due in three months. You open the app. Start filling the form. Then you see it.

Passport expiry date.

You check your passport. Thirteen months left. You think it is fine. Plenty of time.

Then your friend tells you the rule. Kuwait requires one year validity for Iqama renewal. Thirteen months means you have one month left. Not thirteen.

Your heart sinks.

Now you need a new passport. Fast. Before your residency expires. Before you face travel restrictions. Before the stress builds.

I have been in that chair. Not in Kuwait. But in that moment of realization. The one where you wish you had checked earlier.

Here is the good news.

Renewing your Indian passport in Kuwait is straightforward. The system works. The centres are efficient. You just need to know the steps.

Let me walk you through everything.

Where to Renew Your Indian Passport in Kuwait

You have two places to go.

Embassy of India – Kuwait

This is the main authority. They handle the final approval. But you do not go here first.

BLS International / ICAC Service Centres

These are the front desks. You submit your application here. Give biometrics. Submit documents. They forward everything to the Embassy.

Three locations in Kuwait:

• Kuwait City – The main centre. Handles most applications.
• Fahaheel – For residents in the south.
• Jahra – For residents in the north.

Choose the closest one. But book an appointment first. Walk-ins are not accepted.

Think of it like this. The Embassy is the kitchen. BLS is the waiter. You place your order with the waiter. They bring it to the kitchen. The kitchen cooks it. The waiter brings it back to you.

Types of Passport Renewal in Kuwait

Not all renewals are the same. You need to pick the right category.

Passport expiring within one year

Standard renewal. Most common case. You have time. Follow normal process.

Passport already expired

Still possible. You need an affidavit explaining the delay. No penalty. Just paperwork.

Lost passport

Police report first. Then affidavit. Then application. Takes longer.

Damaged passport

Water damage. Torn pages. Chewed by something. Surrender the damaged passport. Apply for reissue.

Exhausted pages

Your passport is valid. But no blank pages left. You need a new booklet. Apply for reissue.

Change of personal details

Married? Want to add spouse name? Changed your name legally? You need supporting documents. Marriage certificate. Gazette notification.

Choose correctly on the online form. Wrong choice means rejection. Rejection means starting over.

Step by Step Process to Renew Indian Passport in Kuwait

Let me break this down so clearly you could do it in your sleep.

Step 1 – Online Application on Passport Seva

Open your browser. Go to embassy.passportindia.gov.in. This is the official portal for Indians in Kuwait.

Create an account if you do not have one. Use an email you check daily.

Select Reissue of Passport. This covers most renewal cases.

Fill the form carefully.

• Your name must match your existing passport exactly.
• Your date of birth. Check it twice.
• Your place of birth. As printed in your passport.
• Your marital status. Update if changed.
• Your address in India. Permanent address.
• Your address in Kuwait. Current residence.

Take your time here. Rushing causes errors. Errors cause delays.

Step 2 – Choose Your Appointment

After submitting the form, you see available slots.

Select your preferred BLS centre. Kuwait City fills fast. Fahaheel and Jahra often have earlier slots.

Pick a date. Pick a time. Print the appointment confirmation.

Step 3 – Gather Your Documents

This is where most problems happen. Missing one document means wasted trip.

I will give you the full list in the next section. But start collecting now.

Step 4 – Visit the BLS Centre

Appointment day. Reach 15 minutes early.

Carry:

• Appointment printout
• All original documents
• Photocopies of everything
• Your Kuwait Civil ID
• Your old passport

Security checks you in. You get a token. Wait for your number.

When called, submit your documents. The officer reviews them. They may ask questions. Answer calmly.

Then biometrics. Fingerprints scanned. Photograph taken. Signature captured.

You get an acknowledgement receipt. Keep it safe. You need it for tracking.

Step 5 – Wait for Processing

Now you wait.

The Embassy verifies your documents. They may contact references. They may run checks.

Status updates appear online. You can track using your application number.

Step 6 – Collect Your New Passport

SMS arrives. Your passport is ready.

Return to the same BLS centre. Carry your old passport. Carry the acknowledgement receipt. Collect your new booklet.

Your old passport comes back too. With a corner cut. Cancelled. Keep it as reference.

Documents Required for Indian Passport Renewal in Kuwait

Here is your checklist. Print it. Tick items as you pack.

Essential documents:

• Original passport – Your current passport
• Passport photocopy – First and last pages. Also any pages with observations.
• Kuwait Civil ID – Original and copy. Must be valid.
• Residency page copy – From your passport. Shows your Kuwait visa.
• Passport size photographs – 2×2 inch. White background. Recent. Two copies.
• Online application receipt – Printed from Passport Seva portal.
• Appointment confirmation – Printed.

If applicable:

• Marriage certificate – For name change after marriage
• Divorce decree – If reverting to maiden name
• Death certificate – If spouse deceased and name change needed
• Birth certificate – For minor applicants
• Parents’ passport copies – For minor applicants
• Parents’ Civil ID copies – For minor applicants
• Police report – For lost passport cases
• Affidavit – For expired or lost passports

Address proof in Kuwait (if changing address):

• Electricity bill
• Tenancy contract
• Bank statement with current address

Address proof in India (if updating Indian address):

• Aadhaar card
• Voter ID
• Passport of family member at same address

I once saw a man turned away because his Civil ID had expired three days ago. He did not notice. He had to reschedule. Come back with renewed ID.

Check your Civil ID validity before you go.

Photo Specifications – Get This Right

Photos cause more rejections than anything else.

Follow these rules exactly.

• Size: 2×2 inches. 51mm x 51mm.
• Background: Pure white. No off-white. No cream. No patterns.
• Expression: Neutral. No smile. No raised eyebrows.
• Eyes: Open. Visible. Looking at camera.
• Glasses: Not allowed. Remove them even if you wear them daily.
• Headgear: Not allowed except for religious reasons. Face must be fully visible.
• Attire: Normal clothing. Uniforms not allowed.
• Recent: Taken within last three months. Not last year’s photo.

Go to a professional studio. Tell them it is for Indian passport renewal. They know the requirements. Pay the extra dinar. It is worth it.

Do not edit the photo. Do not use filters. Do not brighten your skin. The system checks for digital manipulation.

Indian Passport Renewal Fees in Kuwait

Let me give you the approximate costs.

Service Type	Fee in Indian Rupees	Approximate in KD
Normal passport (36 pages)	₹1500	~3.2 KD
Jumbo passport (60 pages)	₹2000	~4.3 KD
Tatkaal processing (extra)	₹2000	~4.3 KD
BLS service charges	Varies	~5 KD
SMS service	Optional	~0.5 KD
Courier return	Optional	~2 KD

Total estimate for normal renewal: 8 to 10 KD

Total for Tatkaal renewal: 12 to 15 KD

Exchange rates fluctuate. Actual amount depends on day of payment.

Pay online during application. Some centres accept card payments. Carry cash as backup.

BLS charges are separate from government fees. Check their website for current rates before visiting.

Processing Time in Kuwait

Here is what to expect.

Normal processing: 7 to 30 days.

Tatkaal processing: Approximately 3 working days.

Why the wide range for normal?

It depends on:

• Completeness of your application
• Whether police verification is needed
• How busy the Embassy is
• Whether your references respond

If everything is perfect, you get passport in one week. If there are questions, it takes longer.

Tatkaal is faster. But you must qualify. More on that next.

Tatkaal Passport Renewal in Kuwait

Need your passport urgently? Tatkaal is your answer.

Eligibility:

• You have a genuine emergency. Travel within weeks. Medical reasons. Family crisis.
• Your current passport is not damaged beyond recognition.
• You can provide proof of urgency.

Process:

Same online application. But select Tatkaal option. Pay extra fees.

Visit BLS centre. Explain your situation. Show supporting documents.

Timeframe: Approximately 3 working days.

Not eligible for Tatkaal:

• Lost passport cases
• Severely damaged passports
• Minors in some cases
• First-time applicants

Tatkaal does not guarantee approval. The Embassy still verifies. But they prioritize your application.

Minimum Passport Validity for Kuwait Iqama

This is critical.

Kuwait requires your passport to have at least one year validity for Iqama renewal.

Not six months. One year.

If your passport expires in 13 months, you have one month left. Not 13 months.

You can renew your Indian passport up to 18 months before expiry.

That is your window. Months 18 to 12 before expiry are ideal.

Renew early. Then your new passport has full validity. Your Iqama renewal goes smoothly. No stress. No last-minute panic.

I know NRIs who waited until passport had six months left. Then Iqama renewal got rejected. Then they had to pay late fees. Then they rushed Tatkaal. Paid extra. All avoidable.

Check your passport today. Count the months to expiry. If it is under 18 months, start the process now.

Renewal for Expired Passport in Kuwait

Passport expired two years ago. Can you still renew in Kuwait?

Yes.

But you need one extra document. An affidavit explaining why you did not renew earlier.

Write a simple statement:

• I was not travelling.
• I did not need a valid passport.
• I was occupied with work.
• I was unaware of the timeline.

No penalty. No fine. Just an explanation.

Get this affidavit notarized in Kuwait. Some centres accept self-attested. Check with BLS before you go.

Processing may take slightly longer. But it gets done.

Lost or Damaged Passport in Kuwait

Losing your passport in a foreign country. That hollow feeling when you realize it is gone.

Here is what to do.

Step 1 – File a police report

Go to the nearest police station. Report the loss. Get a written report. This is your proof.

Step 2 – Visit the Embassy

Do not book regular appointment. This is a special case.

Documents needed:

• Police report (original)
• Affidavit describing how passport was lost
• Kuwait Civil ID copy
• Two photographs
• Any copy of lost passport if available

Step 3 – Apply for reissue

Fill online form. Select lost passport category. Upload documents. Visit BLS with all papers.

Processing takes longer. They need to verify your identity thoroughly. But it gets done.

Damaged passports follow similar rules. Surrender the damaged one. Explain what happened. Apply for reissue.

Passport Renewal for Minors in Kuwait

Children need passports too. Rules are slightly different.

Documents required

• Child’s birth certificate
• Child’s current passport
• Child’s Kuwait Civil ID
• Both parents’ passport copies
• Both parents’ Civil ID copies
• Passport size photographs of child
• Consent form signed by both parents

Both parents must be present at the BLS centre. If one parent cannot come, they need to send notarized consent.

Children above 15 give biometrics. Below 15, they still appear in person for photograph.

If renewing for a baby, expect questions. Babies change appearance. Carry additional proof if needed. School records. Medical records.

Change of Name, Address, or Spouse Name

Passport renewal is also your chance to update details.

Name change after marriage: Attach marriage certificate. Name updates to include spouse name or change to married name.

Name change after divorce: Attach divorce decree. You can revert to maiden name.

Address change in India: Submit Indian address proof. Aadhaar. Voter ID. Family passport.

Address change in Kuwait: Submit local address proof. Utility bill. Tenancy contract.

Adding spouse name: Provide marriage certificate. Both passports may be linked in system.

All changes require legal proof. Not verbal requests. Not handwritten notes.

How to Track Your Passport Renewal Status

Waiting is hard. Tracking helps.

Method 1 – Passport Seva Portal

Go to embassy.passportindia.gov.in. Login. Click Track Application Status. Enter your file number.

Status shows:

• Submitted
• Under Review
• Police Verification Initiated
• Verification Completed
• Passport Printed
• Dispatched

Method 2 – BLS Website

BLS Kuwait has tracking option. Use your receipt number.

Method 3 – SMS Alerts

If you opted for SMS, you get updates on your phone.

Method 4 – Email

Check your inbox. The system sends notifications.

Track once a week. Not every day. Give them time to process.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from others’ mistakes.

Mistake 1 – Wrong service category

Selecting fresh passport instead of reissue. Application rejected. Start over.

Mistake 2 – Expired Civil ID

ID expired on appointment day. You cannot submit. Reschedule after renewal.

Mistake 3 – Incorrect photo

Smiling. Glasses. Wrong background. Rejected. Delay.

Mistake 4 – Signature mismatch

Signing differently from old passport. System flags it. Verification needed.

Mistake 5 – Missing documents

Forgot marriage certificate. Forgot address proof. Incomplete application.

Mistake 6 – Applying too late

Passport expires soon. Iqama renewal blocked. Tatkaal rush. Extra cost.

Mistake 7 – Not checking spam folder

Embassy sends updates. They go to spam. You miss them. Confusion follows.

Pro Tips for Smooth Processing

Tip 1 – Apply early

Six to twelve months before expiry. Not three months. Not one month.

Tip 2 – Keep Civil ID valid

Check expiry before appointment. Renew if needed.

Tip 3 – Double check online form

Read every field. Compare with old passport. Correct errors before submission.

Tip 4 – Photocopy everything

Carry originals. Carry copies. Officer needs to see originals but keep copies.

Tip 5 – Sign carefully

Sign exactly as in old passport. Same style. Same spelling.

Tip 6 – Track regularly

Check status weekly. Respond quickly if they ask for anything.

Tip 7 – Inform references

If police verification happens, your references may get calls. Warn them beforehand.

Conclusion

Here is what I want you to do.

Go get your passport. Check the expiry date.

Count the months from today to that date.

If it is less than 18 months, start the process now.

Open the Passport Seva website. Create your account. Just create it. You do not have to fill the form today. But having an account ready removes one barrier.

Gather your documents. Check Civil ID validity. Book your appointment.

The process works. Thousands of Indians in Kuwait renew their passports every month. They get it done. They keep their residency valid. They travel freely.

You will too.

Just start.

Frequently Asked Questions