Thousands of Goans Trade Indian Passports for New Visas

In the last decade, nearly 26,000 Goans have surrendered their Indian passports to apply for new visas or exit permits. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant provided these statistics in a written reply during the state assembly's monsoon session. The fluctuating numbers indicate varied annual responses.

In the past decade, nearly 26,000 Goans have given up their Indian passports to apply for new visas or exit permits, according to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.

Presenting these figures in a written reply during Tuesday's state assembly session, Sawant responded to a query from Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao.

The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) disclosed that 25,939 Goans surrendered their passports between January 1, 2014, and March 31, 2024. The annual numbers peaked at 4,121 in 2016, dropped to 954 in 2021, and rose again to 2,094 in 2023.

(With inputs from agencies.)