If you were born in the US to Indian parents, married to an Indian national, or planning on moving permanently to the country, you may be wondering how to get citizenship in India. The benefits of becoming a citizen include residency, the ability to work and own property in the country, and the option to get citizenship for your children.
Luckily, there are several options available to those interested in Indian citizenship. This Remitly guide takes you through the different pathways, the requirements for each, and how to complete your application.
Understanding Indian citizenship
Since India became independent from the British Empire in 1947, citizenship has been based on the rules laid out in the Constitution of India and the Citizenship Act of 1955.
Becoming an Indian citizen gives you specific rights and responsibilities. You will gain the right to:
- Live permanently in India
- Have an Indian passport
- Seek employment in India
- Buy, own, and sell property
- Vote in elections
- Apply for social security benefits, including healthcare and education
Indian citizenship also comes with a list of fundamental duties. These include upholding and respecting India’s ideals, institutions, culture, and values.
Important note: renouncing other citizenships
It is important to be aware that the Indian Constitution does not allow dual citizenship. If you are approved for Indian citizenship, you will have to give up any other citizenship.
For this reason, many people prefer to apply for long-term visas or permanent residency rather than full citizenship. We’ll tell you more about other options, like Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), below.
How to get Indian citizenship: requirements and options
There are several pathways to Indian citizenship depending on your circumstances.
Citizenship by birth
Until 1987, anyone born in India automatically received citizenship. However, in an effort to reduce illegal immigration, the rules were changed. Requirements vary depending on your year of birth, but in general, at least one parent must be an Indian citizen. They should have also registered the birth with local authorities within a year.
Citizenship by descent
Citizenship by descent is available to people born outside of India to Indian parents. Again, at least one of your parents must be an Indian citizen, and they must have registered the birth at an Indian consulate within the first year.
Citizenship by registration
Citizenship by registration is for people of Indian nationality or with close family ties to the country, who have been residents in India for seven years. This pathway to citizenship is open to:
- People of Indian origin with at least one Indian grandparent
- Spouses of Indian citizens
- Children of Indian citizens
- People who have an OCI card or previous Indian citizenship
Citizenship by naturalization
Citizenship by naturalization is for foreign nationals without family ties who have been residents in India for at least 12 years. This pathway has some additional requirements:
- You must provide an affidavit from yourself and two Indians testifying to your good character.
- You must submit two language certifications confirming your knowledge of one of the 22 languages specified in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution (which does not include English).
- You must publish your intention to apply for citizenship in two local newspapers in one of the 22 specified languages (you’ll have to submit these with your application).
Overseas Citizenship of India
If you are the grandchild or great-grandchild of an Indian citizen, you may be eligible for an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card. While not the same as full Indian citizenship, this flexible lifelong visa gives you almost all the same rights as a citizen.
A major benefit of this option is that you don’t have to renounce other citizenships. However, you won’t be able to get an Indian passport, vote, hold public office, or apply for certain government jobs.
Applications for OCI cost $275 USD outside of India, and 14,230 INR in India. The card is not available to anyone who has ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh.
Indian citizenship application process
The citizenship process has several steps once you have checked your eligibility and chosen your pathway. If all your paperwork is correct, the process takes around three to six months.
Gather required documentation
If your documents are not in English or Hindi, you’ll need to get a certified translation into English.
If you are applying by birth or descent, you need:
- A copy of your birth certificate
- A copy of the Indian passports of your parents
- A copy of their marriage certificate
- Your foreign passport, if you have one
If you are applying by registration, you need:
- A valid foreign passport
- A valid Indian residency permit
- Proof of your close relationship to India, e.g., a marriage certificate to an Indian citizen, or the birth certificate of a minor who is an Indian citizen
If you are applying by naturalization, you need:
- A valid foreign passport
- A valid Indian residency permit
- An affidavit from yourself and two Indians regarding your good character
- Two language certificates in eligible Indian languages
- Clippings of your newspaper notices to apply for citizenship
All applicants must also submit three passport photos and three signature specimens. More information is available online.
Apply online
Whichever pathway to citizenship you take, you’ll make your initial application online via the official Ministry of Home Affairs website. You’ll need to upload digital copies of your documents, pay the 50 INR application fee, and print and sign the application. The platform will give you a case number so you can track the process of your application online.
Submit documents in person
The next step is to submit hard copies of the application and supporting documentation (bring the originals plus three photocopies) to the Collector, District Magistrate, or Deputy Commissioner in your area within 60 days. They will check the documentation and forward it to the Ministry of Home Affairs within 30 days.
Wait for your application to be accepted
It usually takes another 30 days for the Ministry of Home Affairs to assess your application. If you are successful, they will notify you by email and through the online portal. They will then ask for further documentation.
Renounce other citizenships
You’ll need to provide a certificate of renunciation of your foreign citizenship, issued by the relevant authority. In the United States, renunciation can take three to six months and costs $2,350 USD.
Don’t renounce your citizenship until your application has been approved, or you could end up without any citizenship.
Pay the citizenship fee
Finally, pay the fee given in the acceptance notification. Citizenship by descent costs 250 INR, most other options are 500 INR, and citizenship by naturalization comes with the highest fee of 1,500 INR. You’ll need to send proof of this payment along with your certificate of renunciation of citizenship.
Receive your digital citizenship certificate
The State Government will issue you a digital citizenship certificate. You’ll only receive a paper copy if you have specifically requested and paid for one, which you’ll need to collect at the same office where you submitted your original documentation.
Your path to Indian citizenship starts here
India offers a variety of pathways to citizenship so that Indians around the world can reconnect with their home country. Even for foreign nationals, the application process is simple and affordable, as long as you meet the criteria.
The key issue to keep in mind is that India does not allow dual citizenship. Renouncing your other citizenships tends to be the most complex and expensive part of the application process.
This renunciation is also unattractive for many Indians living abroad, who choose instead to apply for Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI). This option offers a convenient middle ground for people who want to be able to live in the country long-term without giving up their other citizenships.
FAQ
Can I hold dual citizenship with India?
No, India does not allow dual citizenship, and you must renounce other citizenships to obtain Indian citizenship. For this reason, many Indians living abroad choose to pursue Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), which is the equivalent of long-term permanent residency.
How long does the citizenship process take?
Once you meet the qualifying criteria, your Indian citizenship processing time will take around three to six months. Delays usually depend on factors such as how long it takes to renounce other citizenships, since this can only be done after your initial Indian citizenship application has been approved.
What happens if my application is rejected?
If your citizenship application is rejected, you should ask for a rejection letter explaining the issue so that you can make corrections and reapply. To avoid delays and rejections, make sure you have all the documents needed for Indian citizenship before you apply.
Do I need to renounce my current citizenship?
Yes, India’s dual citizenship policy says that you need to renounce all other foreign citizenships to finalize your Indian citizenship application.
Can my spouse and children also get citizenship?
India does allow for citizenship by family relation. Children of Indian citizens can usually apply for citizenship immediately if their birth was registered with an Indian consulate within the first year. In other cases, family members can apply for citizenship by registration once they have been residents in India for seven years.