Eligibility quiz
Were you or either of your parents ever an Indian citizen after India became independent?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Indian passport
Indian citizens can get an Indian passport and use passport services in India or at an embassy or consulate abroad.
An adult’s ordinary passport is generally valid for 10 years and can be reissued.
A child’s passport is generally valid for five years or until age 18, whichever comes first.
Live in India for life
Indian citizens can live and settle anywhere in India and move freely within the country, with some legal limits.
Citizenship has no ordinary expiry date and does not need regular renewal.
Access education
Indian citizens can access education on the same legal basis as other eligible citizens and residents.
A school place or other support may depend on rules such as age, income, residence and state.
Work in India
Indian citizens can work in a profession or run a business, with some legal limits.
They have equal opportunity in national and state government employment, though some places may be reserved and other special provisions may apply.
Get help abroad
Indian citizens can get consular help and passport services through Indian embassies and consulates abroad.
The help available is limited by diplomatic rules and the law of the country where the citizen is present.
Vote and participate
Indian citizens can register to vote from age 18 if they normally live in the relevant area and are not otherwise disqualified.
Citizens can also speak, join groups and gather, with some legal limits.
Access public healthcare
Indian citizens can access healthcare on the same legal basis as other eligible citizens and residents.
Citizenship alone does not guarantee free care; eligibility depends on the particular scheme’s rules.
Access social support
Indian citizens can access welfare and social-security schemes on the same legal basis as other eligible citizens and residents.
Payments and other support depend on the scheme’s rules, which may include residence, income, age, occupation or state.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find your district office
Find the District Collector, District Magistrate or Deputy Commissioner for the district where you ordinarily live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which district office handles Indian citizenship by registration applications for your city?”
Select your application form
Open Indian Citizenship Online and choose citizenship by registration. Select the category for someone who, or whose parent, was a citizen of independent India; the portal supplies Form VIA, including for the special migrant category.
Select your formGather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your application.
See required documentsFill in the application
Register or log in to Indian Citizenship Online and complete the form yourself. Upload the documents, photograph and signature requested by the form.
Fill in the formSubmit your application
Submit your completed application on Indian Citizenship Online.
Submit your applicationPay the fee online
Pay the fee shown for your category on Indian Citizenship Online.
Pay the feeHand in your application
Save or print your acknowledgement and print your completed application. Submit the printed application and attachments to the district office where you ordinarily live; ask the office how it accepts them.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a printed Indian citizenship by registration application to the district office in your city?”
Attend your verification
Attend the verification appointment when instructed and bring the originals of the documents you uploaded. Watch your email and text messages for appointment details.
Find verification informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I attend verification for Indian citizenship by registration?”
Sign and take oath
Sign your application and take the oath of allegiance before the designated officer.
Find oath informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I take the oath of allegiance for Indian citizenship by registration?”
Wait for the decision
Track your application on Indian Citizenship Online and watch your email and text messages. Answer any questions and provide any further documents requested.
Track your applicationGet your citizenship certificate
If your application is approved, get your digital certificate through the portal. An ink-signed certificate is issued only if you selected that option when applying; you can then apply for an Indian passport.
Get your certificateDocuments needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Parent's citizenship records
Provide your Indian parent's passport or birth certificate to show they were a citizen of independent India. If you apply under the special 2019 citizenship rules, provide a copy of an accepted document listed in Schedule IA that shows your parent's citizenship of the country you came from.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Citizenship after another citizenship
Indian citizenship ends if a citizen voluntarily acquires another country’s citizenship, under the rules that apply.
Citizenship taken away
In certain cases, the government can take citizenship away because of fraud, disloyalty or unlawful dealings with an enemy.
Certain prison sentences or periods living abroad can also be grounds, depending on the case.
The person is given notice and may be able to have the case referred to an inquiry committee.
Giving up citizenship
A person of full age and capacity can give up Indian citizenship formally.
This can also affect a minor child’s citizenship under special rules.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Indian Passport, OCI, PCC & Visa Services.
English Facebook group for people interested in Indian citizenship and visas
Request to joinIndia Passport & Indian Visa
English Facebook group for people interested in Indian citizenship and visas
Join on Facebookr/OCI_VISA_Passportrene
English Reddit group for people interested in Indian citizenship and visas
Join on RedditConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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