
You can cancel your passport form online if biometric is not done. The system gives a cancel button under the application dashboard. Once clicked, the file is closed, and your ARN is removed from queue. There is no partial rollback. The process is final.
You will not get any refund after payment, and your booked PSK slot disappears once cancellation is confirmed. If you want to reapply, start again with a fresh form. No part of the old file carries forward. The system blocks reused ARNs.
Every step happens on the Passport Seva login portal, and cancellation only takes a few clicks. Just make sure the current status allows you to do it.
This guide explains everything about how to cancel passport application, when it works, what happens after submit, and how to avoid system error during re-apply. The answers are short, real, and based on actual portal flow.
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Why people cancel passport application
Many users cancel their form because the details are not correct or the mode is not what they wanted. Some apply under normal, then realise they need fast service and restart the process. This happens often when biometric is still pending and cancel ARN is still allowed.
A few notice that their Aadhaar mismatch or spelling mistake blocks the form at upload. Others cancel because the PSK slot does not match their travel plan or the nearest centre has no early date. The most common reason is wrong passport mode, which cannot be edited once submitted.
Instead of adjusting old forms, it is better to reapply fresh using correct details and updated slot. If the change is clear, cancel the file early and change slot date in the new form. Passport Seva gives full control if done before biometric. Use that window before it closes.
When cancellation is allowed on Passport Seva
Passport Seva only allows cancellation if your file is still open. That means biometric is not done, slot is not locked, and the file has not moved to backend processing. Once any of these stages are crossed, the system will block the cancel button.
You can cancel after filling the form, even after payment, but only if the PSK slot is not booked yet. If slot is locked, cancellation is blocked. If biometric is completed, the file is already with RPO and marked as active.
The portal allows cancellation in a small window between submit and slot confirm. That is when your passport file is not locked and still editable.
Always cancel before biometric or slot finalise. If the file shows “submitted” but not booked, you are still within that cancellation window. Once it moves ahead, even support cannot reset the ARN. Timing is everything. Act early.
Steps to cancel passport application online
You can cancel your passport form online using the same portal where you applied. The Passport Seva cancel flow is simple if you follow each step in order. There is no offline process for cancellation.
Log in to Passport Seva with your ID
Go to the official portal and enter your login details. Make sure you use the same ID used for your application. This opens your file history.
Open the submitted applications tab
Once logged in, click on View Saved/Submitted Applications. This shows your current ARN along with cancel and edit options.
Click cancel application and confirm reason
Select Cancel Application. You must give a short reason. Then confirm. This triggers the form deletion process in the backend.
System shows cancellation confirmation on screen
Once your request is processed, the portal gives a clear success message. Your cancel ARN is now inactive. That ends the current file permanently.
Always follow this process. Any step missed may block your file. Complete the online cancellation before slot booking or biometric. That keeps the system clean for reapply.
How to cancel passport application after payment
Even after payment, you can cancel your passport form. The same cancel button works, and the process stays online. There is no change in flow. But once you click confirm, the slot and fee are gone.
No refund is given. The fee is collected by the system and tagged to the cancelled ARN. It cannot be reused for any future application. This is the official no refund after passport payment rule.
Once cancelled, the booked PSK slot is released for others. You cannot go back or restore it. A new slot must be booked under a fresh application.
- Use cancel only if biometric is still not done
- Confirm that application is not locked by PSK
- Know that payment receipt becomes invalid
This is the final path if payment done but cancel form is your only choice. Cancel early to avoid file freeze. Always reapply with updated form if you miss a detail. Timing matters.
What happens after you cancel passport application
Once cancelled, your ARN becomes inactive in the Passport Seva system. You cannot use it again for booking, biometric, or payment. The file is locked from all future actions. This is a full stop, not a pause.
The PSK slot is removed and goes back to open pool. If you try to open the cancelled form, the system will show error or inactive status. There is no edit or resubmit option inside a cancelled record.
That form is marked as application closed under your login. To continue, you must fill a new passport form, generate a fresh ARN, and restart the entire process.
- The system deletes the submitted data
- Confirmation is logged on your dashboard
- No further change is possible on that ARN
This is how the system handles a cancelled passport application. No reuse. No shortcut. You must begin again if you plan to apply later. Always treat it as a reset.
Can you reapply after cancelling passport form
You can apply again after cancelling your file. The portal allows a fresh form submission using the same Aadhaar and email, but you must generate a new ARN. Old data is removed from active queue. It cannot be reused or reactivated.
The passport fee must be paid again. Payment from the cancelled ARN is not carried forward. Everything resets after cancellation.
Once you fill the new form and make payment, PSK rebooking opens automatically. You can choose the same centre or pick another based on slot availability.
- Mobile number can stay the same
- Uploaded documents must be added again
- Biometric is done fresh at the new slot
This is how to apply fresh after cancel. The process stays the same, but the file is new. Start clean. Do not reuse any page from the previous application. The system treats it as separate. That keeps tracking clear and form accepted without block.
Common mistakes while cancelling passport file
Small mistake during cancellation often stop the file from closing. Users delay or click the wrong tab. The Passport Seva portal accepts cancellation in a narrow window, and even one mistake can freeze the form. These points must be checked before you try again.
Each one is a real issue that causes cancel form delay or ARN access error.
- Editing form instead of clicking cancel
- Waiting after biometric is completed
- Logging in with wrong Passport Seva ID
- Clicking modify instead of cancel tab
- Using old browser session without refresh
- Trying to cancel after PSK slot confirmation
- Uploading new file while old ARN is active
Once the passport file is stuck, only full restart works. Timing matters. Do not wait after form is final. Cancel early and act clean. The portal works best when steps are exact.
How to cancel passport application for minor
To cancel a passport file for a minor, the parent must log in using their own Passport Seva account. The portal links child profiles under the parent ID, so the process begins there. Once inside, open the Submitted Applications tab and select the child ARN. Click Cancel Application and confirm the reason.
The steps are the same as regular cancellation. There is no extra form or special button for a minor passport cancel. Also, no document upload is needed during this process. Once cancelled, the file is locked and cannot be used again.
Biometric is not done for minors under age five, but cancellation works even after submission. Use the correct parent login and follow each step carefully. This closes the file fully, and the Ministry of External Affairs marks it inactive in the backend. Always cancel early if you plan to restart.
What to check before cancelling your file
Do not cancel your passport form without checking a few things. Once cancelled, the file cannot be reopened. Timing matters. You must review the passport submission status inside your dashboard before taking action. Below is what to verify.
- Confirm biometric status is still showing as pending
- Check payment is either not made or recently done
- Make sure slot is not booked in the PSK system
- Confirm your ARN shows in Submitted Applications
- Avoid cancelling if portal shows “File under review”
- Use the same login used during application
- Do not act if biometric date is already passed
- Wait if site is not loading current status correctly
This checklist is your safety line. The check before cancel step avoids file block, refund loss, or backend errors. Once cancelled, you must apply fresh.
Frequently asked Questions on passport application cancellation
Can I cancel passport form without login
No. The Passport Seva portal needs user login to cancel. Guest access does not show ARN or cancel option.
Can I cancel if biometric is booked but not done
Yes. If biometric appointment cancel is before slot time, system allows full file deletion.
What if portal hangs during cancel process
Wait 15 minutes and refresh. If no status shows, use fresh browser and retry. Portal cancel delay is common during peak hours.
Can I recover ARN after accidental cancel
No. Once a file is cancelled, the ARN cannot be restored. You must restart the application with new details.
Can I cancel someone else’s passport using same login
No. The file only appears if linked to your user ID. You cannot access mobile ARN from another account.
Does Passport Seva show old cancellation history
No. Cancelled records do not stay on dashboard. The Ministry of External Affairs clears them from user view.
Can I cancel without application number
Yes. If you login and see the file, the application number is fetched automatically. You do not need to enter it.
Is cancellation allowed for Tatkaal passport forms
Yes. Tatkaal files can be cancelled same way, but must be cancelled before biometric. File lock happens fast in that mode.
Can I cancel form which was filled but not submitted
Yes. If the passport file is saved but not submitted, delete it using Incomplete Applications tab.
How many times can I cancel under one account
There is no fixed number. But too many cancelled ARNs may slow down reapplication tracking and history fetch on system. Act only when sure.
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Final tips before cancel your passport Application
Before you cancel your passport file, pause and check what comes next. You only get one clean chance to delete a file without system errors. The Passport Seva cancel rule is fixed. Once cancelled, you cannot restore the file or reuse the same ARN.
- Check if biometric is still not done
- Make sure PSK slot is not already booked
- Use dashboard to verify application submission status
- Confirm you are inside the cancel window
- Keep Aadhaar and ID ready for next form
- Do not try to convert normal to tatkaal inside same file
- Plan payment in advance for fresh form
- Choose PSK again based on new slot list
This is your ARN reset tip. Act only if the fresh application is fully ready. Once cancelled, everything starts over. Timing is what keeps it smooth.