Industry observers and residents, such as Kamaljit Singh Sidhu, attribute this shift to stricter entry regulations in foreign countries.

Nearly 10 Million Passports in 12 Years: Punjab Hits Migration Milestone as 2025 Demand Plateaus

The long-standing "passport craze" in Punjab is showing signs of cooling down. Data released by the Union Ministry of External Affairs reveals a sharp decline in the number of passports issued in the state, dropping from a record-high of 1.194 million (11.94 lakh) in 2023 to just 708,000 (7.08 lakh) in 2025. This downward trend is also visible in neighbouring Haryana, which saw 448,000 passports issued in 2025.

Industry observers and residents, such as Kamaljit Singh Sidhu, attribute this shift to stricter entry regulations in foreign countries, particularly regarding study visas and parental sponsorship in Canada.

Despite the recent dip, the state’s long-term trend remains significant; nearly 10 million passports were issued in Punjab between 2014 and 2025, meaning roughly one in every three residents now holds one passport.

While experts point to immigration issues, the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, views the decline through a different lens. According to the report, the administration attributes the trend to the success of its "Vatan Vapsi" (Return to Motherland) campaign. 

While states like Punjab, Gujarat, and Karnataka have seen a slowdown, passport issuance continues to rise in other regions, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Nationally, Kerala leads with 14.6 million total passports issued over the last 12 years.

Source: The Tribune