MEA Changes Passport Rules for Children Under 15: New Validity and Fee Rules Explained

 

Dear All, here we will find the details about the Passport Rules for Children Under 15 | Parents applying for passports for their children should take note of an important change introduced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The government has amended the passport rules relating to children below the age of 15. Under the new rules, an ordinary 36-page passport issued to a child below 15 years will be valid for five years from the date of issue or until the child turns 18, whichever comes earlier.

The revised rules also update the provisions related to passport application fees.

The changes are particularly relevant for parents who are planning international travel, applying for a child’s first passport or renewing an existing passport.

What has changed for children’s passports?

The biggest change is the way the validity of a child’s passport is determined.

Previously, parents often had to look at the applicable minor-passport rules and the child’s age to understand how long the passport would remain valid. The amended provision now clearly states that an ordinary 36-page passport issued to a child below 15 years will have a validity of five years or until the child reaches 18, whichever happens first.

In simple terms, 18 years is now an important cut-off point under this provision.

For example, if a passport is issued when a child is 10 years old, the five-year validity period would generally take the passport up to the child’s 15th year.

However, if a passport is issued when the child is 14, the five-year period could extend beyond the child’s 18th birthday. In that situation, the passport will expire when the child turns 18 because that date comes before the completion of five years.

Why the change matters to parents

For many families, a child’s passport is something they apply for and then put away until the next overseas trip. The new rules make it more important to keep track of the actual expiry date.

Parents should not simply assume that every passport issued to a child below 15 will remain valid for exactly five years.

Instead, they should consider both:

• The date on which the passport was issued.

• The child’s 18th birthday.

The earlier applicable date determines the validity under the amended provision.

Passport application fee rules also revised

Along with the change concerning children’s passport validity, the MEA has also amended the provision dealing with passport application fees.

The revised rule states that the fee payable for a particular passport application will be the amount specified against the relevant application category in the applicable fee schedule.

This means applicants should check the current fee applicable to their specific passport service before making payment.

Parents should also remember that the fee can depend on factors such as the type of application and passport service being requested. Therefore, it is better to check the latest applicable amount rather than relying on an old fee receipt, social media post or information received from someone who applied several years ago.

What parents should check before applying

If you are planning to apply for a passport for your child, a little preparation can save time and avoid mistakes.

Before submitting the application, parents should:

• Check the child’s current age.

• Confirm the type of passport being applied for.

• Check the latest applicable application fee.

• Make sure the child’s name, date of birth and other personal details are correct.

• Keep the required supporting documents ready.

• Check the applicable requirements concerning parents or legal guardians.

• Carefully check the passport’s date of issue and expiry once it is received.

Planning an international trip? Don’t check only the expiry date

There is another important point parents should keep in mind.

A passport being technically valid does not necessarily mean it will meet the entry requirements of every country.

Many countries require travellers to have a passport that remains valid for a certain period beyond their planned arrival or departure date. Some destinations may also have additional requirements for children travelling with one or both parents.

Therefore, families planning an overseas trip should check the destination country’s requirements well in advance.

It is also sensible to check visa requirements, transit-country rules and airline requirements before travelling.

What does the new rule mean for children approaching 18?

This is one of the most important practical aspects of the amendment.

The passport issued under the provision for children below 15 cannot simply be assumed to continue until five years have passed if the child reaches 18 earlier.

For children approaching adulthood, parents should therefore pay close attention to the passport expiry date and plan for a new passport when required.

This is especially important for children who frequently travel abroad for holidays, education, sports competitions or family visits.

Key points at a glance

• The new provision applies to an ordinary 36-page passport issued to a child below 15 years.

• The passport is valid for five years from the date of issue or until the child turns 18, whichever is earlier.

• The child’s age at the time the passport is issued is important.

• A passport issued under this provision cannot remain valid beyond the child’s 18th birthday.

• The rules concerning passport application fees have also been revised.

• Applicants should check the latest applicable fee before making payment.

• Parents should check the passport’s actual expiry date before booking international travel.

• Destination-country passport-validity requirements should also be checked before travelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a passport valid for a child below 15?

An ordinary 36-page passport issued to a child below 15 years is valid for five years from the date of issue or until the child turns 18, whichever comes earlier.

Does every child below 15 get a passport valid for five years?

The rule provides for a five-year validity period, but there is an age limit. If the child turns 18 before five years have passed, the passport expires when the child turns 18.

What happens if my child turns 18 before the five years are completed?

The passport’s validity ends when the child turns 18 because the rule uses the condition “whichever is earlier.”

Does this rule apply to all types of passports?

The amended provision specifically refers to an ordinary 36-page passport issued to a child below 15 years. Other passport categories and circumstances may have different applicable provisions.

When did the new rules come into effect?

The amended passport rules came into force following their publication in the Official Gazette on September 17, 2026.

Have passport application fees changed?

The rules have been amended to specify that the applicable passport application fee will be the amount prescribed for the relevant application category in the applicable fee schedule. Applicants should check the latest fee before payment.

Where can I check the current passport fee?

Applicants should check the latest fee through the official Passport Seva system before submitting the application or making payment.

Is a valid passport enough to travel internationally?

Not always. Different countries have different passport-validity requirements. Some may require several months of validity beyond the planned date of travel. Parents should check the destination country’s rules before booking a trip.

When does the five-year validity period begin?

The rule refers to five years from the date of issue of the passport, rather than the date on which the application was submitted.

What should parents remember most?

The easiest way to remember the new rule is:

Five years or until the child turns 18 — whichever comes first.

Parents should also check the passport’s expiry date before every international trip and make sure it satisfies the destination country’s entry requirements.

The latest MEA amendment gives parents a clearer framework for understanding the validity of passports issued to children below 15 years.

While the five-year validity provision makes the rule straightforward, the 18-year age limit is something parents should not overlook. A child’s passport may therefore expire earlier than five years depending on the child’s age when the passport is issued.

The changes to passport-fee provisions are another reason applicants should check the latest information before submitting an application.

For families, the best approach is simple: check the child’s age, verify the current fee, keep the passport details safely recorded and always check the passport expiry date before planning an international journey.

This article explains the amended rules based on information available on September 17, 2026. Passport applicants should verify the latest requirements, fees and travel conditions before applying or travelling.