The News Minute | December 25, 2014 | 9:45 am ISTDo you still own a hand-written passport?If yes, its time to come forward and get it exchanged for a newer version as all handwritten passports are to be slowly phased all over the world in less than a year. According to a press release by the Regional Passport Office in Chennai, those travelling with the older versions may be denied visa applications or even denied entry , said The New Indian Express. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) had set November 24, 2015 as the last date for phasing out hand-written passports after which the RPO issued the advisory. According to The Times of India, handwritten passports were issued before 2001 and have been phased out of many countries. The rules will ensure that no more non-machine readable (handwritten) passports remain in use, said the report. Those with hand-written passports, having less than two pages left empty in their passports or an expiry date less than six months were asked to apply again.Tweet