Indian Passport Surrender

Canadian Immigration

Indian Immigration Services

SURRENDER CERTIFICATION

Indian citizens ready to give up their citizenship rights receive surrender certificates. Individuals involved submit their passports to designated passport offices. A surrender certificate is basically for Indian citizens renouncing their citizenship to accept a foreign national identity.

Although this passport service is taxable, only applicants requesting a surrender certificate through the passport website can access it. Concerned applicants should report physically at the passport offices with all necessary documents. 

If the reason for requesting a surrender certificate is not to renounce your Indian citizenship and accept a foreign national identity; you will need to report physically at a designated passport office. There is no need to apply online or submit an application physically. Applicants in this category may be ambassadorial/executive officials ready to give up their current/executive passports.

SURRENDERING AN INDIAN PASSPORT

It is obligatory for Indians who have accepted foreign nationality to tender their Indian passports to authorized mission offices closer to them. The Indian law makes no provision for dual citizenship – it is expected that a citizen of India will give up his Indian citizenship once he receives citizenship in a foreign country.

Indians accepting to be citizens of another foreign country must officially release their Indian passports or reject their Indian citizenship. Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) can submit their passports for termination. Applicants will then receive their terminated passports alongside other necessary documents for proper filing and referencing. 

When requesting a new visa, Indian citizens who refused to tender their Indian passports earlier are mandated to submit their most recent passport Indian passport and receive their surrender certificates before new PIO/OCI cards can be issued.

Individuals applying for a visa, PIO/OCI cards and other political services in India are expected to provide approved surrender certificates.

HOW LONG DOES THE APPLICATION PROCESS TAKE? 

Aside from the time your application takes to move within the appropriate offices in the High Commission or Consulate, the processing takes about five business days after submitting an application for a surrender certificate. Your current Indian passport is also required for smooth processing.

WHAT PROOF OF INDIAN ORIGIN CAN I PROVIDE INSTEAD OF MY INDIAN PASSPORT?

You will need to provide two diverse papers that show enough proof that you were a citizen of India if you don’t have access to your Indian passport. Such documents include:

A sealed official declaration (affidavit) indicating you misplaced or lost your Indian passport and providing detailed information on your passport.
Your travel papers
Your Certificate of Citizenship
Your most recent Indian passport: The Embassy/ issuing officer decides if this is sufficient proof that you are a citizen of India. If accepted in any case, this evidence will be considered absolute.

HOW DOES INDICATE IMMIGRATION HELP IN PASSPORT SURRENDERING?

Indicate Immigration provides a comprehensive guide throughout the processing of your surrender certificate. We offer the right aid for you from start to finish of your OCI application. Our team of professionals is all you need to get your surrender certificates. We help individuals and families submit their applications throughout the processing and application window. We are competent and can go as far as working through your applications for you.

FAQ’s

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Can I submit an application at the Consulate in person?

Individuals are not allowed to submit their application in person at the Consulate. All applicants must pass through the BLS.

What happens when I surrender my Indian Passport?

When you tender your Indian passport, you have officially renounced your citizenship and every right that comes with it to accept the nationality of a foreign country. You may decide to submit your Indian passport for termination or start an application for a surrender certificate.

Can Indians hold dual citizenship?

The law operative in India doesn’t permit an Indian to possess active citizenship in India and claim citizenship in another country. Only officers in the High-Level council representing Indians in foreign countries receive the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) sometimes referred to as dual citizenship.

What is the cost of not surrendering an Indian Passport?

An individual who refuses to tender his Indian passport after receiving a foreign nationality will be fined a charge of $500 each time he requests a new one. If your withheld card is used for certain services, you will be charged a fine of $250 for each service you receive.

Can I collect my passport directly from the Consulate General?

You cannot collect your passport directly from the Consulate. Your Indian passports are only delivered to the applicant’s address provided during your application using the available BLS post offices, dispatch services or walk-in centres.