It is learnt that following the notification of the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on November 30, 2022, the passport authorities have been revoking Indian passports at the time of renewal of passports of Goans having their births registered in Lisbon, Portugal. This issue has created anxiety among several Goans who have registered their births in Portugal. Many Goans who were born before 1962 have got their birth registered in Portugal so that their children are eligible under the law to acquire the Portuguese passport so that they get better employment opportunities in European Union countries. However, these elderly people have no intention of acquiring the Portuguese passport for themselves and working abroad. If the Indian passports of Goans having their birth registered in Lisbon are revoked at the time of renewal, then these Goans will be left with no passport to travel abroad. Goans travel abroad for several reasons. With their Indian passport revoked and acquiring a Portuguese passport taking several months, how are these Goans, who have their birth registered in Portugal, expected to travel abroad?
