Is Your Name Only One Word On Passport? MEA Warns Of 2 Major Visa Challenges

As passport applications surge nationwide, officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have issued an important clarification for citizens who use a single name, without a surname, on their official records. While obtaining a passport has become more streamlined in recent years, applicants with mononyms often worry that leaving the “last name” field blank could lead to complications.

According to IFS officer Anuj Swarup, individuals whose government-issued documents list only one name can apply for a passport using that single name. In such cases, the passport will be issued with just that name, provided it is consistent across all supporting documents. “Uniformity is key,” Swarup emphasised, noting that discrepancies like even minor

spelling variations can delay processing.

However, MEA officials warn of two common challenges that mononymous travellers may encounter after receiving their passports:

1. Visa Applications: Several countries require both a first and last name for visa processing. Many online visa forms simply do not allow applicants to proceed unless both fields are filled.
2. Flight Bookings: Airline reservation systems also typically demand entries in both name fields, and single-name travellers may find their bookings rejected or mismatched.

To avoid disruptions, Swarup advises applicants with a single name to enter the same name in both the first-name and last-name fields when completing visa forms mandated to include both. For instance, a traveller named “Siddharth” should list “Siddharth” as both the given name and surname.

A similar approach applies to air travel. IRCTC PRO VK Bhatti confirmed that passengers with mononyms should duplicate their name in both fields when booking tickets to ensure smooth travel and avoid airport verification issues.