Home Arrow FAQ Arrow I have no surname on the passport, how can I apply for e-Visa?

I have no surname on the passport, how can I apply for e-Visa?

The e-Visa application process to get a visa even in the case when your passport does not bear a certain surname, as often is the case with people of Indian origin, can be perplexing since the online visa platforms predominantly tend to have different boxes labeled as Given Name and Surname. Where you have only one name, usually under the heading of the passport column simply titled given name, and without the heading of the passport column Surname filled in, this is what you should do to have your application correctly processed and not rejected or delayed.

Understand the name fields in your passport

The majority of passports are based on the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standard, and names are written as two parts:

  • Surname (last name/family name)
  • Given Name/s (first and middle name)

But in other nations there is a single name without a family name. In this, the single name is usually printed under the field Given Name and the Surname field may be blank. This can cause challenges during e-Visa online application which has both fields as mandatory.

What to do if you have only one name

In case you have no surname in your passport then these are general guidelines:

Option A: Use "FNU" (First Name Unknown)

Many e-Visa systems and immigration databases use the placeholder "FNU" (First Name Unknown) when a person has no surname.

  • In the "Surname" field: Enter your single name
  • In the "Given Name" or First Name field: Enter FNU

Example:

If your passport shows only "RAJU" as your name:

  • Surname (Last Name): RAJU
  • Given Name (First Name): FNU

This format is compliant with the international immigration standards and is accepted by the majority of the visa officers.

Check the Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ)

The MRZ (the two lines of characters at the bottom of the data page of your passport) usually indicates the official form of your name as known by the immigration systems.

  • If your MRZ displays: P → It indicates your single name is treated as the surname.

So you should enter RAJU as your last name and FNU as your given name in the e-Visa application.

Always follow the MRZ pattern when in doubt.

Additional tips

  • Do not leave any name fields blank. Many online forms will reject incomplete submissions.
  • Do not attempt to create a surname or divide your name into pieces unless that is how your passport is written.
  • In case you are not sure or the form continues to present errors, then contact the visa helpdesk or a licensed visa agency to help.

How will my name appear on the e-Visa?

If you used “FNU” as your given name and your real name in the surname field, the e-Visa will likely display:

  • Surname: RAJU
  • Given Name: FNU

This is normal and accepted by immigration officers, as long as it matches your passport's MRZ.

Final reminder

Always ensure that your e-Visa name provided is the same as the name on your machine readable zone of the passport. This will prevent misunderstanding or inconveniences at the immigration check point.

Should you remain uncertain, you can contact the e-Visa support team or a trusted visa provider prior to applying.

Related Articles

View more Arrow
COOKIE SETTINGS