Punjab passport craze drops to 7 lakh: Govt cites ‘Vatan Vapsi’ impact
The most powerful social tendency of Punjab over years was manifested in the passport offices of the state, which longed to visit foreign countries. Having a passport became the initial step to a better life, and one could hear this among students intending to study in Canada or families trying to find a better job and permanent living in a different country.
Yet that wave that has long been running seems to be slowing.
Recent statistics indicate that passport issuance in Punjab has declined drastically in 2025 with the figure touching almost 7 lakh passports in a year – a significant decline compared to the all time highs of 2023.
Passport Numbers: Punjab Passport Craze Downward Trend
The issue of the issuance of passports in Punjab has recorded a significant decline in the past two years as per figures quoted by the Union Ministry of External Affairs:
- 2014: 5.48 lakh passports issued
- 2023: 11.94 lakh passports issued (high year)
- 2024: 10.60 lakh passports issued
- 2025: 7.08 lakh passports issued
Simply put: Punjab used to issue close to 12 lakh passports on an average year, then it dropped to a little more than 7 lakh in two years, this is a drastic reduction that has caught many observers unawares.
Why The Demand For Passports In Punjab Is Declining
Scholars and authorities indicate numerous reasons why the sudden decline has occurred- not everything is occurring within Punjab.
1) Stricter immigration policies in foreign countries
The traditional countries which are popular among Punjabis, particularly Canada have tightened immigration standards, visa regulations, and permanent residence routes. This has diminished the trust of a number of new candidates.
2) Overseas dream confronting reality tests
As the cost of living in foreign countries increases, strictness on the part of the student and availability of few job opportunities in certain areas, more families are questioning whether migration is actually worth the investment.
3) The trend of going abroad
Migration has been a long held ambition in terms of Punjab. However, the figures show that the passport rush can be losing its previous momentum.
Punjab Govt Calls It “Vatan Vapsi” Impact
The Bhagwant Mann government has said the fall is a good move given the message that the government has given on the same, which is that of Vatan Vapsi- urging young people not to go away but to make careers in Punjab and invest their future in this state instead of going to foreign nations.
According to government sources, the drop is indicative of a change in attitude – young people might be seeking more opportunities within their own countries than in foreign migrations.
A State Where Having a Passport Became Normal
Passport culture in Punjab has always been a unique one.
The state has been issuing an approximation of 98.9 lakh passports (since 2014) in the past decade, thereby contributing to India one of the most aggressive passport demand.
At one point the trend was so strong that the state was recorded to have one of the highest per-capita passport ownership numbers in the nation to the point that in most villages, a household was almost guaranteed to own at least one passport.
Haryana Also Sees a Decline
This is not the only case of slackness in Punjab.
Other neighbouring states such as Haryana too experienced a reduction in passport issuance:
- 2024: 5.49 lakh passports
- 2025: 4.48 lakh passports
This shows that the larger North Indian migration belt is possibly undergoing a transition because of international policy alterations and economic facts.
National Picture: Some States Falling, Others Rising
Remarkably, there is no homogenous trend of passports in India.
States Seeing A Decline
Next to Punjab, other large states also have witnessed a drop in issuance of passports such as:
- Gujarat
- Maharashtra
- West Bengal
- Karnataka
- Himachal Pradesh
- Delhi and Chandigarh
States seeing growth
In the meantime, there are states where the demand of passports is increasing, such as:
- Bihar
- Uttar Pradesh
- Rajasthan
- Tamil Nadu
- Odisha
- Telangana
- Madhya Pradesh
This would indicate that the Punjab overseas wave might be de-escalating, but other states are currently becoming new migration and mobility centers.
Which States Lead India in Passport Numbers?
Kerala has issued the greatest number of passports in India during the last 12 years, and it is followed by Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh:
- Kerala: 14.6 million
- Maharashtra: 14.2 million
- Uttar Pradesh: 12.1 million
Although the fall has taken place, Punjab has been one of the most passport-heavy states.
What This Shift Could Mean for Punjab
The drop of the passport issuance may be perceived in two ways:
Positive interpretation
In case fewer individuals are seeking passports since they think they are getting a better opportunity at home, Punjab may enjoy:
- reduced brain drain
- stronger local workforce
- enhanced business setup and work in the state.
Concerned interpretation
Nonetheless, in case the decline is primarily due to:
- there is increased visa restrictions, or
- international flights are now more difficult,
then the fall might represent frustration and not better local confidence.
In any case, the figures are obvious that the previously unimpeded passport-boom of Punjab is decelerating and the state is possibly entering a new stage where migration is no longer the automatic aspiration of every young family.
Conclusion
The passport narrative of Punjab has always had a strong association with ambition, mobility and migration. However, the 7.08 lakh in passport issuance in 2025 indicates a turning point – a turning point created by the changes in the global immigration policy and aspiration alterations in the home country.
It is yet to be determined whether this is the start of a long-run stay in Punjab trend or a momentary discontinuation of migration.