Moving to a new country comes with its own set of challenges. You figure out the MRT routes. You learn to love chicken rice. You even get used to the humidity.

Then one morning you open your cupboard and see it. Your passport. It’s expiring in six months.

Your heart drops. The pressure is on.

I have been there. A few years ago, I found myself in the exact same situation. My Indian passport was about to expire, and I had no idea where to start. The online information felt scattered. Some websites said one thing. Others said something completely different.

So I decided to create this guide. Not just another generic article. But a proper, step-by-step walkthrough of how to renew your Indian passport in Singapore.

Whether you are an NRI professional on an Employment Pass, a student, or a Permanent Resident, this guide covers everything. From filling the online form to walking out of the BLS centre with your application submitted.

Let us begin.

Where to Apply for Indian Passport Renewal in Singapore

First things first. You cannot just walk into the High Commission of India and submit your passport application. That building on Grange Road looks impressive. But it is not where you will be spending your time.

All passport applications go through BLS International Service Centres. Think of BLS as the middleman. They collect your documents, take your biometrics, and send everything to the High Commission for processing.

There are two BLS centres in Singapore:

• BLS Centre at Clarke Quay (The main centre)
• BLS Centre at Serangoon (Smaller branch)

Here is something important. You must book an appointment before visiting. Walk-ins are not accepted. I learned this the hard way when I showed up without one and had to book a slot for the following week.

The appointment system exists for a reason. It keeps the queues manageable and ensures everyone gets proper attention.

Step-by-Step Indian Passport Renewal Process

Step 1: Fill the Online Application Form

Before you do anything else, open your laptop. You need to visit the official Passport Seva portal. This is the government website where all passport applications begin.

Here is what you do:

Go to the Passport Seva website. Click on “New User Registration” if you haven’t used the portal before. Fill in your basic details. Once registered, log in and select “Apply for Re-issue of Passport.”

You will see a dropdown menu asking for the reason. Choose carefully. The options include:

• Passport expired
• Passport expiring within one year
• Exhaustion of pages
• Change in appearance
• Change in address or name

Select the one that applies to your situation. If you are renewing because your passport is expiring soon, pick that option. If you got married and need to update your name, pick the change in name option.

The form asks for personal details. Your full name. Your date of birth. Your parents’ names. Your address in Singapore.

Take your time with this part. A small mistake here can cause delays later. Double-check every field before moving to the next page.

Once you complete the form, you will see an option to schedule an appointment. But here is a trick. Do not book the appointment immediately through this portal. The slots shown here are often limited.

Instead, complete the form and save the application reference number. You will need this when booking through the BLS website later.

Print the completed application form. You will submit this at the BLS centre. Keep it safe.

Step 2: Book Your Appointment at BLS Centre

Now comes the part that frustrates many people. Booking the appointment.

Visit the BLS International Singapore website. Look for the “Passport Appointment” section. You will need your application reference number from the Passport Seva portal.

The appointment calendar shows available slots. Here is the reality. Slots fill up fast. Sometimes weeks in advance.

I remember checking the website on a Tuesday morning and finding no slots for the next three weeks. I had almost given up when I checked again at midnight and found a cancellation. I grabbed it immediately.

So my advice. Be persistent. Check at different times of the day. Early mornings and late nights sometimes show new slots.

Once you book, you will receive a confirmation email. Print this or save it on your phone. You will need to show it at the centre.

Step 3: Prepare Your Documents

This is where most applications get delayed. Missing documents. Wrong photocopies. Blurry photos.

Let me save you the trouble. Here is exactly what you need:

Basic Documents

• Your current passport (original)
• Photocopy of the first and last pages of your passport
• Photocopy of the page with your Singapore visa or entry stamp
• Your Singapore NRIC, Employment Pass, Work Permit, or PR card (original and photocopy)
• Printed copy of the online application form
• Recent passport-size photographs

Photo Specifications Matter

The photo rules are strict. Do not assume your neighbourhood photo shop knows the requirements. Here is what the Indian government wants:

• White background only
• Both ears visible
• No glasses (even if you wear them daily)
• No headgear except for religious reasons
• Matt finish, not glossy
• Size 2×2 inches (51mm x 51mm)

I once submitted photos where my forehead was slightly covered by hair. The application got rejected at the counter. I had to visit a Murtabak shop near the BLS centre that had a photo studio inside. They knew the exact specifications.

Address Proof

If your Singapore address is different from what is printed in your passport, you need proof. Acceptable documents include:

• Utility bill in your name
• Bank statement with your Singapore address
• Employment letter mentioning your address
• Tenancy agreement

Make sure the document is recent. Not older than three months.

Step 4: Visit the BLS Centre

The day arrives. You have your documents. You have your appointment. Now you need to actually go there.

If you booked the Clarke Quay centre, take the MRT to Clarke Quay station. The centre is inside a building near the river. Allow extra time to find it. The first time I went, I walked past the entrance twice.

At the entrance, security will check your appointment confirmation. Then you go through a metal detector. Standard stuff.

Inside, take a queue number from the machine. Then you wait. Bring a book or your phone. The wait can be anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour depending on how busy it is.

When your number is called, go to the designated counter. The officer will check your documents. They will ask you to verify the information on your application form. Then comes the biometric capture.

They will scan all ten of your fingerprints. Not just the thumbs. All fingers. They will also take a photograph at the counter. This photo goes on your new passport.

The officer might ask questions. Why are you renewing? Have you changed your name? Is your Singapore visa valid? Answer honestly and clearly.

If everything is in order, they will give you an acknowledgement slip. This slip has a reference number. Keep it safe. You will need it to track your application.

Step 5: Pay the Passport Renewal Fees

Money time. The fees depend on what kind of passport booklet you want.

Standard Fees

• 36-page booklet: S$ 82
• 60-page booklet: S$ 152

Additional Charges

BLS charges a service fee on top of the government fee. This covers their document handling and processing. The service fee is around S$ 15 to S$ 20 depending on the type of application.

Tatkal Fees

If you need your passport urgently, Tatkal is an option. The Tatkal fee is additional. Usually around S$ 150 to S$ 200 on top of the regular fees. But remember, Tatkal approval is not guaranteed. The High Commission decides based on your reason for urgency.

Payment is accepted via NETS or cash. Some centres accept credit cards. But carry cash as backup. Just in case.

Step 6: Track Your Application Status

You have submitted everything. Now comes the waiting.

You can track your application status in two ways:

Through Passport Seva Portal

Log in to your Passport Seva account. Look for the “Track Application Status” section. Enter your file number. The system shows where your application is in the process.

Through BLS Website

Visit the BLS tracking page. Enter your reference number from the acknowledgement slip. BLS shows you when your passport has been dispatched from the High Commission and when it reaches their centre.

The status updates are not real-time. They update once or twice a day. So do not refresh the page every five minutes. You will drive yourself crazy.

Step 7: Collect Your Passport

Finally, the status changes to “Ready for Collection.” What now?

You have two options:

Option 1: Courier Delivery

When you submitted your application, you had the option to pay for courier delivery. If you chose this, your passport will be sent to your Singapore address. It usually takes 2 to 3 working days after the passport is ready.

The courier company will contact you with delivery details. Someone needs to be home to receive it. They will ask for identification before handing over the passport.

Option 2: Self-Collection

If you prefer to collect it yourself, go back to the BLS centre where you submitted your application. Bring:

• The original acknowledgement slip
• Your old passport (if it was returned to you during submission)
• Your Singapore ID

At the collection counter, they will ask you to verify the details on your new passport. Check everything. Your name spelling. Your date of birth. Your photograph. Mistakes happen. If you catch one at the counter, they can fix it immediately.

Once you confirm everything is correct, they hand over your new passport. The old passport will be returned too, but with a corner cut off or a hole punched through it. That means it is no longer valid.

Normal vs Tatkal Processing Time

How long does this whole process take?

Normal Processing

Normal processing takes about 3 to 4 weeks from the date of submission at BLS. This includes the time taken by the High Commission to print the passport and send it back.

Sometimes it is faster. Sometimes slower. During peak periods like school holidays or festival seasons, expect delays.

Tatkal Processing

Tatkal is the express option. If your application is approved under Tatkal, you can get your passport in 1 to 3 working days.

But here is the catch. Tatkal approval depends on your reason. Valid reasons include:

• Medical emergency requiring travel
• Death in the family
• Urgent business travel with proof
• Expiring visa in Singapore

If you apply under Tatkal just because you do not want to wait, your application might be rejected and converted to normal processing. They check supporting documents carefully.

Special Cases and Scenarios

Can I Renew If My Passport Has Already Expired?

Yes, you can. An expired Indian passport can still be renewed in Singapore. The process is the same as renewing an expiring passport.

However, if your passport expired a long time ago (several years), you might need to provide an explanation. Write a simple letter stating why you delayed the renewal. Usually, a valid reason like being busy with work or not travelling is accepted.

Name Change or Marital Status Update

Life changes. You got married. You changed your name. Now your passport needs to reflect that.

For name change after marriage, you need:

• Marriage certificate (original and copy)
• Husband’s passport copy (if adding spouse’s name)
• A declaration about the name change

For other name changes (like through deed poll), you need the official gazette notification. Without this, the application will be rejected.

Minor Passport Renewal Rules

Children under 18 have different rules. If you are renewing your child’s passport, here is what you need:

• Child’s current passport
• Birth certificate (original and copy)
• Both parents’ passport copies
• Singapore ID of both parents
• Consent declaration signed by both parents

Both parents must usually accompany the child to the BLS centre. If one parent cannot come, they need to provide a notarised consent letter.

The application form for minors must be signed by both parents. No exceptions.

Common Mistakes That Delay Applications

Let me save you the headache. Here are the most common mistakes people make:

Wrong Photo Specifications

The photo rejection rate is high. White background. Both ears visible. No shadows. No smiling. Follow these rules strictly.

Signature Mismatch

Your signature on the application form must match your old passport signature. If you have changed how you sign, practice the old one. Or explain the change in a separate declaration.

Incorrect Address Details

Your address in the application must match your proof of address. If you recently moved and your ID still shows the old address, update your ID first. Or provide additional proof of your current address.

Incomplete Forms

Some people skip fields they think are optional. Most fields are mandatory. Fill everything. If something does not apply, write NA (Not Applicable). Do not leave blanks.

Missing Appointment

Showing up without an appointment guarantees rejection. The security will not let you in. Book your slot first.

Tips to Avoid Delays

After helping several friends with their passport renewals, here are my top tips:

Apply Early

Do not wait until your passport expires. Apply at least 6 months before expiry. This gives you buffer time in case of delays.

Check Your Visa Validity

Your Singapore visa or pass must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of application. If your Employment Pass is expiring soon, renew it with MOM first. Then apply for passport renewal.

Keep Digital Copies

Scan all your documents and keep them on your phone. If BLS asks for something you missed, you might be able to show the digital copy. Sometimes they accept it. Sometimes they still want a printout. But having the digital version helps.

Dress Properly

This sounds silly but matters. The photo taken at BLS goes on your passport. Wear a collared shirt or something decent. Avoid white clothes since the background is white. You do not want to blend into the background.

Reach Early

Even with an appointment, reach at least 15 minutes early. Latecomers are sometimes asked to reschedule if the centre is busy.

Processing Flow Chart

To make things clearer, here is how your application moves:

Online Form Filling → Appointment Booking at BLS → Document Submission at BLS → Fee Payment → Biometric Capture → High Commission Processing → Passport Printing → BLS Receives Passport → Courier Delivery or Self-Collection

Each step connects to the next. Missing one breaks the chain.

Conclusion

Renewing your Indian passport in Singapore is not complicated. But it requires attention to detail. The process is designed to be secure, which means they check everything carefully.

Start early. Gather your documents properly. Book your appointment in advance. Follow the photo rules strictly.

I remember walking out of the BLS centre with my acknowledgement slip. The relief was real. A few weeks later, my new passport arrived. The photo was not great. But the passport was valid for another ten years.

If you follow this guide step by step, you will have the same experience. No surprises. No last-minute panic. Just a smooth renewal process.

Your passport is your identity abroad. Treat it with care. Renew it on time. And keep travelling.

Frequently Added Questions