# Applying for a Visa with an Old Passport: What to Submit

> Many embassies want your previous passports as well as your current one. Country-by-country rules for Indians, what to do if an old passport is lost, and when your current passport is too old to use.

_Published: 2026-11-03 · Reading time: 5 min · Words: 1167_

## TL;DR

You apply on your current passport, but many embassies also ask for your old ones: China wants expired passports from the past 5 years, Croatia copies of your last two, and Estonia, Malta and Lebanon treat them as mandatory. If an old passport is lost, an FIR or proof of loss or cancellation is the usual substitute where the checklist allows it. Separately, Schengen countries such as Germany, France and Croatia need a current passport issued within the last 10 years.

## Key takeaways

- China asks for expired passports from the past 5 years, plus a name-change document if your names differ.
- Croatia wants photocopies of the used pages of your last two old passports and copies of previous visas, not the originals.
- Estonia and Malta list old passports as mandatory; Lebanon wants old passports with travel history.
- Estonia accepts an FIR or proof of cancellation, and Bulgaria proof of loss, if an old passport is missing.
- Schengen countries such as Germany, France and Croatia require your current passport to have been issued within the last 10 years.

**You apply on your current passport, but many embassies also want your old ones. China asks for expired passports from the past 5 years, Croatia for copies of your last two old passports, and Estonia, Malta and Lebanon treat old passports as mandatory. If one is lost, Estonia accepts an FIR or proof of cancellation instead.**

## Article

The question has two sides. Either your current passport is old (near expiry, nearly full or issued long ago), or you hold previous passports and are unsure whether to include them. This guide covers both, using the official embassy and VFS Global checklists for Indian applicants, checked on 10 October 2026. Country-specific detail is in our visa guides for Indian passport holders.

### When your current passport is too old to use
Before thinking about old passports, check that the one you will apply on qualifies. Expiry is only one test; the date of issue and the format matter too.

CountryRule on the passport you apply withGermanyIssued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months after return, two empty pages; handwritten passports and passports with observations on the front data page not acceptedCroatiaIssued within the last 10 years, valid at least three months beyond the requested visa, two empty pages back to backFrance, Denmark, Poland, GreeceIssued within the previous 10 years, valid at least 3 months beyond departure from Schengen, at least two blank pagesLuxembourgNot older than 10 years; handwritten or non-machine-readable Indian passports issued after 01.04.2010 not acceptedChinaValid at least 6 months, with 2 or more blank visa pagesUSAValid at least 6 months beyond your period of stay, unless exempt by country-specific agreementsCanadaValid at least 6 months from the date you plan to travelUKValid for the whole of your stayLebanonAt least 6 months' validity at submission, with no Israeli visa or stickerIf your passport fails any of these, renew it through Passport Seva before you apply. The new passport then becomes your current one, and the one you hand back becomes an old passport that some embassies will want to see.

### Embassies that ask for your previous passports
CountryWhat the checklist asks forChinaExpired passports from within the past 5 years, alongside the current one; a name-change document if names differCroatiaClear photocopies of the front, last and used pages of the current passport and the last 02 old passports, plus copies of previous visasEstoniaOld passports mandatory for Indian citizens; if not available, an FIR or proof of cancellationMaltaOld passport mandatory; copies of previous Schengen stampsLebanonOld passports with travel history must be submittedBulgariaOriginals of previous passports, or proof of lossCyprusOld passports, if any, with the original and a photocopy of the current passportJapanOld passports also, if anyNew ZealandFor paper or postal applications at VFS: photocopies of all pages of current and old passportsCzech Republic, Denmark, Poland, IcelandCopies of Schengen visas and entry/exit stamps from previous passports, where available
### Originals, copies or just the stamps
The wording in each checklist tells you what to hand over, and the three levels are different:

- Originals, mandatory: Estonia and Malta say the old passport is mandatory, and Bulgaria asks for the originals or proof of loss. Bring the physical passports.
- Originals, if you have them: China, Japan and Cyprus ask for old passports where they exist. If you have never held another passport, nothing more is needed; if you have, include them.
- Copies only: Croatia asks for clear photocopies of used pages of your last two old passports. The Czech Republic, Denmark, Poland and Iceland want copies of previous Schengen visas and stamps, not whole passports.
When in doubt, carry the originals to the appointment and submit what the checklist names, asking the counter staff before you hand over an original that is not on the list.

### If an old passport is lost or damaged
A missing old passport does not automatically block an application, but you need the right substitute document where the checklist allows one:

- Estonia: an FIR or proof of cancellation
- Bulgaria: proof of loss
- Austria (incentive groups): originals of previous passports or proof of loss
In India that usually means a police FIR or report for the lost passport, and any record of cancellation you received when the passport was replaced. Arrange these before you book an appointment. Where a checklist simply says old passports are mandatory and names no alternative, as Malta's does, ask VFS how to proceed before you submit.

### Name changes and new passport numbers
If your name differs between your old and new passports, for example after marriage, China asks for a name-change document. More generally, your previous visas were issued against your old passport number. Mention both numbers in your cover letter, and include copies of the old visas so the officer can match your travel history to you.

The UK checklist we checked does not list old passports, but its online form can ask for your travel history for the past 10 years, and VFS recommends colour copies of passport pages showing travel to other countries when you self-upload. Old passports are the easiest way to fill that history in accurately.

### Before you apply: a packing order that works
- Lay out every passport you have held, newest first, and note each number and date of issue.
- Photocopy the biodata page, last page and every used page with visas or stamps.
- Check your destination's checklist for originals versus copies.
- Get an FIR or cancellation proof for any passport you cannot find.
- Add a line to your cover letter listing previous passport numbers.
Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa files, including cover letters that set out previous passport details. Packages start at INR 1,000 for a flight reservation and go up to INR 3,000 for reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or reach us through our contact page.

### Frequently asked questions

#### Does the UK visa application ask for my old passports?
Old passports are not listed among the UK documents we checked. Depending on your circumstances, the online form can ask for your travel history for the past 10 years, and VFS recommends colour copies of passport pages showing travel to other countries when you self-upload.

#### My name is spelt differently in my old passport. What should I submit?
For China, include a name-change document along with the old passport. For other countries, explain the difference in your cover letter and attach the supporting document, such as a marriage certificate, so the officer can link both passports to you.

#### I have never held another passport. Do I need to explain that?
Where a checklist says old passports 'if any', as China, Japan and Cyprus do, nothing extra is needed if you have none. You can add one line to your cover letter stating that this is your first passport.

#### Should I mention a visa refusal recorded in an old passport?
Yes, where the checklist asks. Croatia, for example, wants a letter explaining the reasons if another country refused you a visa, and a reason letter if a previous Croatian visa was not used.

## FAQ

### Does the UK visa application ask for my old passports?

Old passports are not listed among the UK documents we checked. Depending on your circumstances, the online form can ask for your travel history for the past 10 years, and VFS recommends colour copies of passport pages showing travel to other countries when you self-upload.

### My name is spelt differently in my old passport. What should I submit?

For China, include a name-change document along with the old passport. For other countries, explain the difference in your cover letter and attach the supporting document, such as a marriage certificate, so the officer can link both passports to you.

### I have never held another passport. Do I need to explain that?

Where a checklist says old passports 'if any', as China, Japan and Cyprus do, nothing extra is needed if you have none. You can add one line to your cover letter stating that this is your first passport.

### Should I mention a visa refusal recorded in an old passport?

Yes, where the checklist asks. Croatia, for example, wants a letter explaining the reasons if another country refused you a visa, and a reason letter if a previous Croatian visa was not used.

## Sources

1. [Chinese Embassy in India - Notice on Updating Requirements for Chinese Visa Application (Aug 2024)](https://in.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/qz/202408/t20240820_11476941.htm) — Embassy of the People's Republic of China in India
2. [VFS Global - Apply for Visa to Croatia in India and Nepal](https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/croatia/india/english/) — VFS Global
3. [VFS Global - Estonia visa information for India](https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/est/) — VFS Global
4. [VFS Global - Japan visa information, Delhi](https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/japan/india/delhi/index.html) — VFS Global