Surrender of Indian Passport in the UK

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Surrender of Indian passport in the UK, you must have heard this. But what does surrendering and Renunciation of Indian Citizenship mean?

Let us learn a little more about the details of the Surrender of Indian Passport in the UK.

In India, dual citizenship is not allowed for Indian citizens. Under the Indian Citizenship Act, of 1955 it is strictly prohibited.

Any individual who holds an Indian passport cannot hold foreign citizenship. As per the Indian Passport Act 1967, it is an offense and may even attract penalties.

Holding an Indian passport and traveling with an Indian passport isn't allowed. with a foreign citizenship.

What is the Surrender of Indian Passport in the UK?

The Indian law says if a person holds foreign citizenship. Then they must surrender their passport at any nearest Indian embassy.

In case of violation, the Indian government has the right to take strict legal actions. A person who is of Indian origin and who has UK citizenship gets a 90-day grace period.

During this period they can travel with an Indian passport. They should also renunciate their Indian citizenship and surrender their Indian passport.

After you surrender of Indian passport in the UK. The new UK citizen of Indian origin will get a surrender certificate. You have to keep the surrender certificate with caution.

Every applicant must check the Jurisdiction Information before applying and booking the appointment.

Why Surrendering an Indian Passport Is Requisite?

Surrendering an Indian Passport

Dual citizenship is also known as dual nationality. The United Kingdom permits dual citizenship.

According to the laws in the UK, a British national can maintain more than one citizenship at the same time. A person can hold UK citizenship and citizenship of foreign countries together.

Even so, Indian citizenship doesn't allow dual citizenship for their citizens. It means once an Indian national holds foreign citizenship. He/ She should right away surrender of Indian passport.

The Indian embassy may ask you to show the surrender certificate when you Apply for a Visa to visit India.

Important Note

If you are a former Indian citizen who is a UK citizen now. An OCI card can help you to live and work in the Republic of India. You can live for as long as you want whenever required.

The Indian government launched the OCI card. Since there was a lot of pressure for dual citizenship from the Indian citizens. Especially, in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States.

Keep in mind that all foreign nationals of Indian origin can Apply for an OCI card. However, citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh are an exception.

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Required Documents To Get An Indian Passport Surrender Certificate

The new UK citizen who has an Indian passport should submit these documents. Here is a list of documents required for surrender of Indian Passport.

  • A declaration form, signed and filled by the applicant.
  • Self-attested copy of the British naturalization certificate is also mandatory.
  • The application form must be complete and must contain accurate information.
  • Book an appointment with VFS Global and submit the appointment confirmation letter.
  • You have to submit a self-attested copy of the new British passport. You may have more than one foreign passport because of neutralization. In such case submit your original first British passport. Also, submit self-attested copies of all the first pages of the passports.
  • Two recently taken photos in 50mm*50mm size. Your face should cover almost 70 to 80% of the photo area. The photograph must be clear and on a white or light-colored background. If you cover your head due to any religious reason, then do not hide your facial features. Always maintain natural expression in the photographs.

Extra Points

  • If you haven't received your new UK passport yet. Provide a declaration stating that your application for a UK passport is still processing.
  • When you are submitting a photograph of your child. Make sure that the baby is awake while taking the photo. He/she should look into the camera with mouth closed.
  • In case of a name change after having UK citizenship. Use the name that is present on the Indian passport to get surrender certificates. 
  • If a minor is applying then either of the parents should sign the application form.

How To Apply For An Indian Passport Surrender Certificate?

The Indian government in the United Kingdom has a contract with a third party named VFS. To summarize, all Indian-origin people must contact VFS and get the surrender certificate. They will not receive the same service even if they visit the Indian High Commission. 

To get the passport surrender certificate, the first thing you need to do is book an appointment. You have to schedule a prior appointment with the VFS.

If you don't take this pre-booked appointment. The surrender certificate application will not start processing.

Until you take this pre-booked appointment. The surrender certificate application will not start processing.

At present, there are 11 appointment centers in the United Kingdom. You can choose any according to your comfort.

You may also Like to Read: Indian Passport Renewal & Reissue Help in UK

VFS appointment centers in the United Kingdom

  • London-Goswell
  • Birmingham
  • Belfast
  • Glasgow
  • Cardiff
  • Bradford
  • Edinburgh
  • London-Hounslow
  • Leicester
  • Manchester

You can click here to start the application process. Once the page is visible to you, click on the 'Schedule Appointment' tab. Choose the preferred center near you.

After choosing the center then choose the date and time.

On the next page, you will have to enter your OCI registration number. Since you are trying to cancel your Indian passport you will not have the OCI number.

Instead, you can add your Indian passport number where you have to enter your OCI number. Once you click on the 'Submit' button your application will get booked.

You will soon get a letter confirming your appointment via mail. Take a printout of this confirmation letter.

Take the above-mentioned document along with the printout of the appointment letter. Visit the processing center on time. After verifying your application, the VFS staff will inform you about the amount for fees.

After you submit the fees, your application will start processing by the VFS official. You will receive your surrender certificate via post or courier.

Remember that you have to provide a self-addressed envelope with your application. It is requisite to deliver your surrender certificate.

VFS Global charges £15 for taking courier options. The charge for delivering the surrender certificate with royal mail is £7.30.

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What Is The Fees To Get An Indian Passport Surrender Certificate?

The Indian government determines the fees to secure an Indian passport surrender certificate.

It depends on the date on which the Indian citizen has citizenship in the UK. Follow the below-mentioned fee structure on the date you get foreign nationality.

  • Fees for UK citizens who gained nationality before June 1, 2010:

You have to pay a total of £22 and it comprises the consular surcharge and miscellaneous charges. Excluding this, VFS will charge an extra amount of £7.44. In total, the applicant has to pay £29.44 if you got the citizenship before 1 June 2010.

  • Fees for UK citizens who gained nationality after June 1, 2010

In this situation, the fees will be a little higher. People who got citizenship after June 1, 2010, should pay £119. This includes the embassy surrender fees of £117 and consular charges of £2. Also, the VFS will charge £7.44 extra. So, the total amount will be £126.44.

  • Fees for UK citizens Whose Indian Parents Expired More Than 10 Years ago

VFS issues a deemed surrender certificate for people who come under this category. To get this, the applicant has to pay £22 along with £7.44 as a VFS charge. Thus, the total amount will be £22.

What happens when an Indian Passport gets Misplaced Or Lost?

Remember that providing an original copy of your Indian passport is important. But if you have lost or misplaced the Indian passport. You can apply for a renunciation service declaration.

In the renunciation declaration, your original Indian passport is not surrendered. To avoid the misuse of your passport you should submit a notarized affidavit. Along with this, you should also submit a police report.

Even if you complete all the steps it is not sure that you will get a surrender certificate. The High Commission of India has the complete right to sanction it. There might be times when the High Commission of India may ask for extra details or documents to issue the certificate. Know Everything about Indian Passport from Documents to Fees.

Get Support

The application process to get a surrender certificate can be overwhelming. Getting assistance from someone can help you make this process easier. Visament is one website that assists with such services. They have a team of experts who are available 24*7 to assist. They have services related to PIO to OCI Conversion, and OCI Card Renewal / Reissue also.

Frequently Asked Questions

Until now, the UK government hasn’t allowed its citizens to apply together. However, when you receive the surrender certificate you can apply for an OCI card later.

No, you don’t have to submit your PIO cards when you are applying for an Indian Passport in the UK. This is because PIO cards no longer exist.

Yes, a police clearance certificate or PCC is requisite for a surrender certificate. Visament can assist you with a police clearance certificate help.

Yes, you can travel to India. Even if you don't have a surrender certificate of Indian citizenship.

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