According to a 2025 report, approximately 2.5 million Indians have migrated from India to countries abroad. They are forced to make several decisions, one of which is whether to become a citizen. Moreover, dual citizenship has always been a matter of worry for both Indian citizens and the government, which makes people always end up with one question: ‘Does India allow dual citizenship?
Read the article to learn more about the reality of multiple citizenship, dual passports, and their specifications of the same.
Overview
The table below mentions some significant details about dual citizenship that one should know about.
| Name of the citizenship | Multiple citizenship |
|---|
| Does India allow dual citizenship? | India is not one of the dual citizenship countries. |
| Conditions of Indian dual citizenship to apply for a dual passport | Indian parents |
| OCI card | Overseas Citizenship of India |
| Purpose of OCI card | Allows foreign nationals of Indian origin to have some connection with India. |
What Is Second Citizenship?
The concept of Dual Citizenship, also known as Dual Nationality or Second Citizenship, comes when an individual is declared a national of two different countries at the same time. Such individuals get to enjoy the rights such as voting, employment, etc., given by countries to their citizens.
Read More: Stringent Penalties For Illegal Immigration: The Immigration & Foreign Bill
Does India Allow Dual Citizenship?
Yes, one can have Multiple Citizenship, but not in the traditional sense. It is more by default rather than one’s freedom and choice. For example, a child born in a foreign country whose parents hold citizenship of the USA will automatically have Dual Nationality, one by birth and the other through their parents.
Please note and remember that, as per the Indian Constitution and the Citizenship Act of 1955, Indian citizenship is completely exclusive, and no one can legally apply for Dual Citizenship; hence, India is not one of the dual citizenship countries.
What Is The Overseas Citizenship Of India (OCI)?
In the year 2005, the government of India introduced the concept of Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), which allows foreign nationals of Indian origin to have some connection with their homeland. OCI is for migrated Indians who have applied and acquired citizenship of some other country abroad, excluding Pakistan and Bangladesh.
What Are The Benefits Of OCI?
There are several benefits that foreign nationals of Indian origin can enjoy through OCI. Some of its benefits are laid out below for one’s reference:
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A non-expiry visa for visiting India is provided.
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With OCI, people don’t have to inform the police about the duration of their visit.
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People under OCI enjoy all rights as NRIs do, except for the ownership of agricultural or plantation lands.
Things To Ensure While Re-Applying For An OCI Card
If an OCI cardholder applies and acquires a dual passport, they are required to keep a note of an important thing:
The OCI card is required to be re-applied for every time an individual acquires a new passport up to the age of 20 years, and only once after the individual attains the age of 50 years.
Can An OCI Cardholder Have Indian Citizenship?
Yes, an OCI cardholder holding the card for a minimum period of 5 years and living in India for at least a year can apply for Indian citizenship. However, once the person receives Indian citizenship, they’ll have to surrender their citizenship of other countries.
Conclusion
No individual can have dual citizenship through legal documentation, but they can have dual citizenship by default. The Indian government launched OCI to help foreign nationals of Indian origin so that they can stay connected to their homeland. If you’re living abroad, please educate yourself about these basic laws and explore related schemes.
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