INDIAN HIGH COMMISSION CRACKING DOWN ON DUAL PASSPORT HOLDERS

Unlike countries such as the UK, Canada and Australia, the Indian Government does not allow Indian nationals to hold dual citizenship. Therefore when an Indian national acquires a second nationality, they are deemed to no longer hold Indian citizenship and are required to inform the Indian High Commission and surrender their Indian passport.

Becoming aware that many former Indian nationals still hold a current Indian passport in addition to their new national passport, the Indian High Commission has become proactive in enforcing the rule against allowing citizens to hold dual citizenship.

Where the applicant is of Indian origin and is submitting an application for an Indian visa, they must now show evidence of having surrendered the Indian passport. This can be done by submitting a Certificate of Surrender issued by the Indian High Commission or a copy of their cancelled current Indian passport.

Without either document the Indian High Commission will refuse the application for a visa.

Indian nationals who have relinquished their Indian citizenship in favour of another, may be eligible for an Overseas Citizen of India card which will bestow certain rights on the holder. These rights include, but are not limited to, permission to enter India without a visa and permission to stay in India for more than 180 days without the need to register with the local Foreigners Regional Registration Office.