How to Renew an India Passport in Atlanta

The economic and cultural ties between Atlanta and the Republic of India continue to grow as more India citizens relocate to Georgia for personal and professional reasons.  Since the 1996 Olympic Games, Atlanta has evolved into an international city, drawing newcomers from around the globe with its moderate weather, strong economy, growing immigrant populations, and world-class transportation infrastructure.

Atlanta ranks among the top 10 U.S. cities for Asian-Indian population.  The number of Asian residents in the 10-county Atlanta has more than doubled over the past 20 years, according to the U.S. Census Department.  About seven percent (301,000) of Atlanta residents were of Asian descent in 2019, and Indians made up one-third of that total with more than 100,000 people.  Pew Research later estimated that there are 150,000 Asian-Indians in the Atlanta area.  

Indians living Georgia reflect a wide variety of Indian ethnic groups and dialects.  Some 850 major languages and dialects are spoken in India, although Hindi/Urdu and English are the most commonly used.  According to Global Atlanta, there are twice as many native speakers of Gujarati than of Hindi in Atlanta, while Kannada, Marathi, Kashmiri, Tamil, and Telugu are also common.  There are a number of civic organizations and business associations in the Atlanta area that bring Indians with common interests together, including the Metro Atlanta Indian Community, the Indian-American Cultural Association, and the Georgia Indo American Chamber of Commerce. 

Atlanta and the state of Georgia have also built close economic ties with the world’s most populous democracy (which the United Nations projects will surpass China in 2023 to become the most populous country in the world).  Georgia leads all Southeastern states in India trade and investment, with Indian-owned firms investing more than $11 billion in the Peach State through early 2022.  That total includes $851 million in service sector investments, giving Georgia 74% of the Southeastern total.  India also ranks among Georgia’s 10 largest markets for both imports and exports, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, with trade increasing 53% in 2021 to surpass $4.6 billion.

Companies based in India also ranked among the top 10 foreign investors and job creators in Georgia.  Those companies include technology companies such as Tata Consultancy, Wipro, and Idasoft; aluminum giant Novelis; Columbia Chemicals, and Jindal Films.  While many Indians who come to Atlanta work in the established technology sector, others become entrepreneurs with high-tech startups.  A number of Indians also own and operate thriving small businesses such as restaurants, grocery stores, retail markets, and movie theaters.

Leisure and business travel between India and Atlanta began rebounding this year as the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions of the early 2020s were lifted.  Georgia averages 1.3 million foreign tourists annually,  and some 1.5 billion Americans visit India during a typical year.  The Georgia Department of Tourism has stepped up its marketing efforts to encourage friends and relatives of Indians living in the Peach State to spend their vacations here.  Meanwhile, frequent visits by Indian expats to their native country for business and personal travel help Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport maintain the title of world’s busiest airport.

Renewing an Indian Passport

Indian citizens residing in other countries are still required to maintain a current India passport for international travel.  Passports must be renewed every 10 years (or for minor children, every five years).  The Republic of India’s embassy and consulates are responsible for issuing travel documentation for passage between the United States and India.  The Atlanta consulate (https://www.indiainatlanta.gov.in) serves residents of Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

However, renewal applications cannot be submitted directly to the consulate.  All applications are handled by an external contractor, VFS Global. Details on how to apply for a passport can be found at https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/apply-passport.  The Indian consulate and VFS Global’s Atlanta office are both located in Sandy Springs.

The website details the steps for obtaining or renewing an Indian passport, including lists of required documents based on type of passport.  The steps include:

  • Complete a passport application at the Indian government website.
  • Register with VFS Global and pay required fees. You can choose to mail your documents to VFS, or make an appointment to visit their office in person.
    • Required documents include the application; your current passport; a copy of your U.S. green card or similar document; and proof of U.S. address.
    • Current fees for renewing a passport range from $67.90 for a minor to $117.90 for an adult with a jumbo booklet, with higher fees for emergency (Taktal) service.
  • Finalize submission of your visa application and documentation.
  • Track the status of your application.

VFS Global is also the vendor U.S. citizens would use to obtain a traditional tourist or business visa for travel to India.  Visit https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/attend-centre/Atlanta for more information on obtaining traditional visas.  You can also obtain an electronic visa (e-visa) directly from India’s Bureau of Immigration at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html. 

Anyone with additional questions about renewing an Indian passport or obtaining a visa can schedule a telephone call with Visa Supply through our website.  We have helped many others renew their passports, so we can check applications for errors and omissions.  Visa Supply also helps citizens of India living in the United States with visas so they can travel to countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and Brazil for family vacations or business travel.