Renunciation of Indian nationality and Surrender of Indian passport
The Indian Citizenship Act, 1955, does not provide for dual citizenship. Holding Indian passport or traveling on Indian passport after acquisition of foreign citizenship constitutes an offence under the Indian Passport Act, 1967. Under the Indian law, Persons of Indian Origin, who have acquired foreign citizenship, cease to be an Indian national under Section 9 of the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955 and are required to surrender their Indian passports to the nearest Indian Mission/Post immediately after acquisition of foreign citizenship.
Those who intend to acquire foreign nationality, under Section 8 of The Indian Citizenship Act, 1955, should renunciate their Indian nationality first and subsequently surrender their Indian passport.
PIOs intending to apply for OCI Cards, should first complete the process of renunciation and surrender of their Indian passports and then apply for these services as the Surrender Certificate is mandatory document required for processing the OCI applications.
Caution : According to the citizenship act 1955, Where a person ceases to be a citizen of India,every minor child of that person shall thereupon cease to be a citizen of India. Provided that any such child may, within one year after attaining full age, make a declaration 3 [in the prescribed form and manner] that he wishes to resume Indian citizenship and shall thereupon again become a citizen of India.
Procedure for applying for Renunciation of Indian Citizenship/Surrender Certificate
For Adults:
Prescribed application form to be filled on:
https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/Renounce. The Form can be filled only online, and no further modifications are possible. Thus, filling of wrong and incorrect details may cause rejection/cancellation of application at any stage.
Note: While filling the application for renunciation certificate online, the following documents are mandatory to be uploaded:
a. Copy of existing Indian passport (first and last page)
b. Copy of last cancelled passport (first and last page)
c. Document containing Botswana address and not the Indian address
Once the above process is completed, submit a copy of FORM XXII at the High Commission, in person. Following documents are required to submitted at the High Commission, along with the application form:
• Copy of first and last page of the current Indian Passport held
• Indian Passport in original (even when expired) for verification
• Copy of Foreign Nationality Certificate and Original for Verification
• Copy of Foreign Passport and Original for Verification
• Copies of nationality certificate/passport other than Botswanian nationality, must be apostilled accordingly before submitting the documents at the High Commission.
• Fees of Pula 1335 (Renunciation & Surrender of Indian Passport) in Cash
Applicant's details must be vouched by another Indian national on Form XXII who is not a family member of the applicant. Copy of witness’ passport must be provided. Signing of form XXII and submission of the application must be done in person at the High Commission for verification on any working day between 0900 hrs to 1200 hrs.
In case applicant’s last Indian passport is with Botswana authorities, the applicant should contact the concerned Botswana to provide the applicant with their passport. The Applicant has to submit physical copy of their passport along with the above mentioned documents.
Processing of Citizenship Renunciation applications may take minimum 45-65 days (starting from date of receipt of application at the High Commission) and the Renunciation Certificate will be issued only after getting clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi. Once the Renunciation Certificate is issued, the application for Surrender of Indian passport would be processed and Surrender Certificate issued accordingly.
NOTE: Applicants are requested to refrain from making status enquiries during this period.
For Minors:
Please apply for Surrender of Indian Passport (here) and take a printout of the completed application. Paste two photographs on the printed form and sign where indicated.
Please print and fill the from XXII (here), Parental Authorization for Minors (here). Note that the Form should be signed by a witness who is another Indian national and not a family member of the applicant.
Along with the above two forms, the following supporting documents should be submitted.
• Declaration signed by both the parents
• Copy of first and last page Current Indian Passports of the minor and both parents
• Indian Passport in original of minor (even when expired).
• Copy of Foreign Nationality Certificate of the minor applicant and Original for Verification.
• Copy of Foreign Passport of applicant and Original for Verification.
• Copies of nationality certificate/passport issued from countries other than Botswana must be apostilled accordingly before submitting the documents at the High Commission.
• Fees of Pula 375 in Cash can be paid at the Counter
• Applicants may submit their application directly at the Embassy on any working day between 0900 hrs to 1200 hrs.
Please note, in case of Minor applicant, presence/consent of both parents is mandatory along with the child for submission of documents at Embassy.
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