Sometimes, one sets expectations based on past experiences of your own and of others around you. When significantly lowered expectations are met, the result is happiness. However, when they are exceeded beyond imagination, the consequence is elation! Our passport renewal experience from the Indian Embassy at Munich was one such refreshing, surprisingly smooth experience.
We (my husband and I)applied using the online application process detailed on the website. There is a jurisdiction set up for each area, so better check on the site on where exactly you would need to apply based on where in Germany you are located. After a call to the Embassy that was courteously answered, we learnt that there is no need to set up an appointment. One can walk in and submit the documents Mon to Fri between 0930 and 1230. The old passport need not be submitted along with the documents.
We reached early on a Tuesday, hoping that we would not need too much time. However, there were only two other people and our work was done within fifteen minutes. The officer at the window was extremely polite and helped us very patiently through an additional declaration that we needed to write out for endorsement of spouse names in each other's passports. We paid the fees and submitted self attested copies of all the required documents - passport including first and last pages and latest German visa, address proof (only in my case as I was requesting a change in address), marriage certificate copy and photograph of marriage (for spouse name endorsement). We also had to submit two passport photographs (5 cm x 5 cm size against a light or white background). We were told that we would receive a call within three to four weeks after our new passports were ready and either of us could come to submit the old passports for cancellation and pick up the new ones immediately.
I learnt that there is no formal tracking system but did not expect much trouble since all our documents were in order. After all, an Indian who manages to get through a German visa can hardly be expected to be cheating on his passport documents!
In EXACTLY three weeks, we received the said call from the Embassy notifying us that the passports were ready. I went down to Munich two days later and collected the new passports. The same gentleman who had accepted our documents chatted with me at the window as he worked to cancel our old passports. I was out of the office within five minutes.
A cold foggy day in Munich rendered warm by the friendly and courteous staff. A hassle-free experience due to the efficient, timely processing. What more can you ask for? I was elated to be served in this fashion, when in fact, I should have expected it in the first place. We, Indians, have a way of demeaning our people and our nation for no reason sometimes. A practice I must stop following!
Useful links:
Embassy website - Munich
http://www.cgimunich.com/
Online passport application form (common for all NRIs)
https://passport.gov.in/nri/Online.do
We (my husband and I)applied using the online application process detailed on the website. There is a jurisdiction set up for each area, so better check on the site on where exactly you would need to apply based on where in Germany you are located. After a call to the Embassy that was courteously answered, we learnt that there is no need to set up an appointment. One can walk in and submit the documents Mon to Fri between 0930 and 1230. The old passport need not be submitted along with the documents.
We reached early on a Tuesday, hoping that we would not need too much time. However, there were only two other people and our work was done within fifteen minutes. The officer at the window was extremely polite and helped us very patiently through an additional declaration that we needed to write out for endorsement of spouse names in each other's passports. We paid the fees and submitted self attested copies of all the required documents - passport including first and last pages and latest German visa, address proof (only in my case as I was requesting a change in address), marriage certificate copy and photograph of marriage (for spouse name endorsement). We also had to submit two passport photographs (5 cm x 5 cm size against a light or white background). We were told that we would receive a call within three to four weeks after our new passports were ready and either of us could come to submit the old passports for cancellation and pick up the new ones immediately.
I learnt that there is no formal tracking system but did not expect much trouble since all our documents were in order. After all, an Indian who manages to get through a German visa can hardly be expected to be cheating on his passport documents!
In EXACTLY three weeks, we received the said call from the Embassy notifying us that the passports were ready. I went down to Munich two days later and collected the new passports. The same gentleman who had accepted our documents chatted with me at the window as he worked to cancel our old passports. I was out of the office within five minutes.
A cold foggy day in Munich rendered warm by the friendly and courteous staff. A hassle-free experience due to the efficient, timely processing. What more can you ask for? I was elated to be served in this fashion, when in fact, I should have expected it in the first place. We, Indians, have a way of demeaning our people and our nation for no reason sometimes. A practice I must stop following!
Useful links:
Embassy website - Munich
http://www.cgimunich.com/
Online passport application form (common for all NRIs)
https://passport.gov.in/nri/Online.do
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