Have you ever thought about what would happen if you did not give back your Indian passport after receiving citizenship in a foreign country? Well, it is a more serious thing you might have thought of. It is vital to know that you have to surrender of Indian passport in USA while living there. Do you have any information about it? Do not worry. Here the following guide will tell you everything about the surrender of an Indian passport in USA. In addition guides you about the process and how to apply for it. So, let's begin the topic by knowing why it is important to do so.
People who hold foreign citizenship, need to surrender their Indian passport. According to the Indian Citizenship Act 1955, India is not allowed to have dual citizenship. It means if a person has foreign citizenship by their side they are not allowed to have an Indian passport. Also, it states that a person is fully committed to his/her new nation. Further not doing so can cause legal trouble to the person. In addition, can limit their visit to India.
Apart from that, it is vital to know that losing Indian citizenship and giving up the passport are two different things. Each of them has their own costs and rules. Having a surrender certificate is important by your side, especially if you want an OCI card or an Indian visa. It assists the person in moving to a new nationality smoothly.
Well as per the rules and regulations of India, surrender of an Indian passport in USA is vital after getting citizenship. Also, knowing about the process is the vital thing when you are moving to another nation. Considering this, let us talk about the eligibility criteria for it.
Well, before surrendering your Indian passport it is vital to know your eligibility. It is only for those people who are of Indian origin and now have foreign citizenship. In addition, it is compulsory to follow the rules while surrendering the passport. Apart from that, you should have valid documents like a citizenship certificate and a foreign passport by your side. It is used as proof to show your new nationality. However, if you do not have these papers, your application may delayed.
Further, for kids, having a signature from the parents is a must on the application. Also if you change your name you require to show certain papers. In this, all copies of the paper should be full page and clear. To guide you better the following table summarizes the eligibility criteria:
|
Eligibility Criteria |
Information |
|---|---|
|
Indian Origin |
Should have foreign citizenship. |
|
Minor Applicants |
Signatures of both parents on the application and additional papers for name changes. |
|
Valid Evidence of Nationality |
Citizenship certificate or foreign passport. |
|
Documentation Standards |
Photocopies should be clear and full page. |
Apart from all these documents, you need to prove your present living address. It should be matched with the address you stated in your application. For this, you can use utility bills, lease agreements, or state IDs. Knowing about all this makes the process easy.
However, if you still face issues in this it is better to take the guidance of an expert like Visament. The professionals there have a good knowledge of all these things. Also, they can assist you in PIO to OCI conversion.
Furthermore, let's know the documents required for the surrender of an Indian passport in USA.
When a person surrenders his/her Indian passport they need to follow specific rules. These aid them in giving up their Indian citizenship after receiving it from another nation. However, for this, they need to submit some vital papers. So moving ahead let's know the documents required for the surrender of an Indian passport in the USA:
You need to gather several papers while applying for the passport surrender. Here is the list of papers that are mandatory to submit for the process:
In case you do not have any of these papers, your application might be denied or delayed. It is vital to correctly fill out the forms. Errors or mistakes can create issues for your application.
In case you lost your Indian passport, you need to make extra efforts. First, you have to provide proof of your lost passport. It is a way to avoid legal issues for using the Indian passport after giving Indian citizenship. Also, you should inform the government about it. In addition, provide the asked details. Further, in some cases, you might have to provide a FIR copy of your lost passport to the government.
These are the following documents that you need while you surrender of Indian passport in USA. Apart from this, you are also required to follow the embassy rules for the process. Do not have any information about it? Read the next section and get all.
While surrendering your Indian passport in the USA you need to follow the rules set up by the embassy. Well, do you know it is not allowed to send your application directly to the foreign embassy? First, you have to follow the online process then after you move to this step. In addition, there is a fixed deadline for sending the documents. Generally, a person has 3 years after getting foreign citizenship to get a renunciation certificate. It shows how vital is to take action on time to avoid any legal issues.
Further, after getting your foreign citizenship, it is vital to not use your Indian passport. However, if you do so you may face legal issues. As per the Indian Passport Act, in this situation traveling or using the Indian passport is against the law. So, it is important to follow the rules of the embassy.
In case of losing the Indian passport, a person may get a Renunciation Declaration Certificate. However, it is only possible when you have a foreign citizenship. To guide you better here is a quick recap of rules for applicants to follow during the surrender process:
|
Embassy Rules |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Submission of Application |
First, follow the online submission process then send the application to the foreign embassy. |
|
Legal Offense |
After getting foreign citizenship using an Indian passport is against the rules. In addition, a person might face legal trouble for this. |
|
Grace Period |
Following the foreign citizenship, three years are available for getting the Renunciation certificate. |
|
Required Documents |
Details of US passports and proof of Indian origin. |
|
Renunciation Declaration |
Applicable for those who lost their Indian passport. In addition for others, it is vital to have a surrender of the Indian passport. |
Following are the rules you need to follow while surrendering your Indian passport in the USA. However, it is vital to avoid any error in this process as it might result in legal trouble. Considering this, it is advisable to get help from experts like Visament. The professionals here better understand all these things. In addition, having us by your side can provide you with a smooth application process. Also, we can provide you with any service regarding your Indian passport in USA. So, it is better to get help when you have the option.
Moving forward, let's know the surrender of the Indian passport fee and payment process in the USA.
The cost of Indian passport surrender covers the price of the process and extra charges from VFS Global. Here are the general fees for the surrender of an Indian passport in USA:
|
Services |
Fees (in USD) |
|---|---|
|
Service Charge of VFS |
20 |
|
Surrender Application Process |
100 |
|
Renunciation Certificate (if required) |
30 |
However, there might be changes in the fees as per the area and services. So, it is advisable to check it before. Further, there are several ways by which you can pay the Indian passport surrender fees. These involve:
Before surrendering your Indian passport it is vital to know the fees you need to pay for it. Based on the services you opt for and the authorities required the prices vary. Also, it is vital to have information on it and the payment process to avoid any issues.
Moving further, let's know the process for applying for the surrender of an Indian passport in USA.
The surrender of an Indian passport in the USA needs to follow rules and steps. For a smooth process, one should submit the right documents and fill out the online available form. Moving ahead, let's know the steps to follow:
Gathering all the asked documents together is a big part of the process. For this, you need to have these papers by your side:
Furthermore, you can also surrender expired passports. However, not those that are canceled, suspended, impounded, or revoked.
After the preparation of the documents, the next step is to fill out the online application form. It is available on the Passport Seva website and for this, you need to provide the following things:
After submitting the government application form you get an Application Reference Number (ARN). This number plays an important role in your surrender of your Indian passport in USA. Through this, you can track your application process. Also through this, you can get your documents easier.
These steps are vital during your Indian passport surrender in the USA. Any mistakes in the application can delay the process. So, it is advisable to follow them carefully. Furthermore, let's know the process time for it.
Generally, the surrender of an Indian passport in the USA takes time. After the submission of the application, it takes 15-21 working days. However, the application time may change due to incomplete documents or processes.
The first step of the application process takes 1-2 working days. However, it does not mention the time it takes to send the application to VFS Global. If you have submitted all the required documents then the process go smoothly. But in case you make any mistake you may face application rejection. Further, sending the application on time helps in getting the process quick.
It is vital to have a look at your application progress. Through the VFS Global tracking system, you can easily check the status of your application. In addition, in this, the ARN number plays a vital role. It provides you with the right status of your application.
Furthermore, let's have a quick review of the application types and their processing time.
|
Application Type |
Processing Time |
|---|---|
|
Standard Indian Passport Surrender Application |
15-21 Working days |
|
Indian Passport Renew in USA |
8 Weeks |
|
Tatkal Indian Passport Renewal |
1 Week |
|
Renunciation Application |
1-2 Working days (Excluding the mailing time) |
Well, it was all about the surrender of an Indian passport in the USA. However, when it comes to this process people often get confused between it and renunciation. Want to what the other process is? Read the next section and get your answers.
Follow the below-mentioned steps to check the status of your application for surrender of an Indian passport:
Step 1. Go To The Official Passport Seva Website - Visit the official Indian Passport Seva Portal.
Step 2. Login To Your Account - Log in using your User ID and password, if you have an existing account. If you don’t then you need to register and create an account before tracking the status of your application.
Step 3. Scroll To “Track Application Status” - Once you have logged in, scroll to the “Track Application Status” section. You can find this option in the main dashboard or under the “Track Status” section.
Step 4. Provide Required Details - To check the status of the surrender of your Indian passport application, you need to provide some details which are as follows:
Step 5. Track The Status - After providing all the required details, click on “ Submit”. You can see the status of your application on the screen. It could be any of the following options:
Step 6. Get Notifications - After your application is processed, the Indian embassy/consulate will notify you and keep you updated by sending notifications to your registered email or SMS. These messages will be sent when your passport gets surrendered successfully or it will contain further instructions.
Step 7. Contact The Indian Embassy Or Consulate - If your status shows any issue or you can;t track the status online then you can contact the Indian embassy or consulate where you submitted your surrender of passport application. You need to provide your application reference number, passport number, and date of birth to them so that they can assist you with application tracking. Below is a list of contact details for the major Indian consulate in the USA:
➜ Indian Consulate New York:
➜ Indian Consulate San Francisco:
➜ Indian Consulate Chicago:
➜ Indian Consulate Houston:
➜ Indian Embassy Washington DC:
Step 8. Track Your Delivery Status Through Courier Service (if applicable) - If your passport is being sent back to you after surrender then the consulate will provide you a tracking number for the courier service. You can use this number to track the status of your passport delivery. (FedEx, USPS, DHL).
If you don’t want to follow complex procedures and steps then you can easily track the status of your application through the Visament website. Track your application and stay informed about any updates on the surrender of your Indian passport application.
Renunciation of an Indian passport is needed because India does not permit dual citizenship. Having an Indian passport after obtaining foreign citizenship is an offense under the Indian Passport Act. One may get imprisonment and other penalties too as a punishment. If you don’t want to face such penalties then surrender your Indian passport. If you are not aware of how to surrender your Indian passport then ask for assistance from Visament. You must be curious to know why you should choose Visament then here is the answer to clear your confusion.
We have a team of experts and professionals who have years of experience in this field. Our team looks after every application. It is important because any mistake in the application can lead to trouble in the next stage. Our experts carefully go through every application fill in all the details accurately and submit it within the deadline. Any missing or wrong information or incorrect documents may lead to rejection or delays, and thus our team pays attention to each application.
We have affordable prices and will ensure that you don’t have to face the penalties for not surrendering your Indian passport. Visament provides:
So, why struggle with complex procedures and waste time when Visament is here to assist? Connect with us whenever you need expert guidance and get satisfactory and swift responses.
Apart from assistance with the renunciation of your Indian passport and citizenship application, we have more immigration services to help you. We will ensure that you are don’t have to navigate to different websites to get assistance with different services. Visament is the one-stop destination for all your immigration-related problems. We also offer assistance with
|
PAN Card Help |
OCI Card Reissue |
|
Passport Renewal |
Aadhaar card Services |
|
Lost/Damaged OCI Card |
Visa Renewal Services |
|
OCI Miscellaneous services |
Police Clearance Certificate Help |
An Indian citizen must surrender of Indian passport in the USA when getting citizenship. Here the whole blog was all about that. In addition, it states the reasons for surrendering the passport. Furthermore, if you are also seeking any services like this, feel free to contact Visament. Here we have a team of experts that guide you at every step and make the process easy for you.
Surrender: It applies to those people who get foreign nationality before 1 June 2010. Renunciation: It applies to those people who get a foreign nationality after or on 1 June 2010. However, both processes require the people to submit documents and applications to the Indian consulate. As it is illegal to have an Indian passport by your side when you have foreign citizenship.
Yes, as renunciation and surrender of Indian citizenship are two different things. You can surrender your passport without applying for renunciation. However, the renunciation certificate may be needed when you apply for other services. Also, you can apply for both services through a single application.
No, the Indian constitution does not allow the holding of citizenship of two countries at a time. Based on that you have to surrender your Indian citizenship after getting the foreign one.
The only big drawback is after renouncing Indian citizenship as a foreigner you won’t be able to own agricultural land in India. So, if a person holds a lot of agricultural property in India, renouncing the citizenship means he/she misses out their inheritance.
No, any person who previously held Indian citizenship is compulsory to show their surrender certificate while applying for an OCI or Indian visa.
Yes, an OCI is allowed to purchase property like commercial and residential in India. However, he/she is not permitted to buy agricultural land, involving farms or any type of plantation property.
