What Is Dual Citizenship and How Does It Work?

Ever heard of dual citizenship? This facility allows you to be a citizen of two countries and simultaneously share each country's citizenship rights.

However, not every country allows dual citizenship. The rules can vary according to country.

But, what about India?

Keep reading to know the rules regarding dual citizenship in India and its variables.

Dual citizenship means that an individual can have more than one nationality. This gives the person country-specific rights and benefits. For example, you can work, study, and reside in both countries with dual or multiple citizenships.

Moreover, you get quality privileges such as education, healthcare, social security, etc.

Individuals with dual citizenship can hold multiple passports, which allow them to travel with ease. In addition, they can travel visa-free to most countries.

In case you are wondering whether Indians can have dual citizenship, we have answered your query underneath.

The Indian constitution does not have any provision regarding dual or multiple citizenships. Instead, an Indian can acquire a second passport of a chosen country. But they are obligated to lose Indian citizenship.

The Passports Act of 1967 mandates every Indian resident to surrender their passports to the nearest embassy after acquiring another country’s nationality.

Indians have to get Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) status after getting foreign citizenship.

Some of the requirements for dual citizenship include -

• Individuals who voluntarily seek citizenship of a foreign state, as per Articles 5, 6 and 8, will cease being Indian citizens.
• They will assume the foreign state’s nationality wherein he/she raised the citizenship request.
• Individuals must also surrender their Indian passport and other documents establishing Indian citizenship at the nearest Indian embassy.

Though there are no provisions for dual citizenship in India, individuals can opt for an OCI card. This will offer multiple benefits. Some of them are discussed below.

Individuals with dual citizenship or OCI can enjoy benefits such as-

• Independence to live, work, carry on business in India and the chosen country indefinitely
• Multiple entry life-long visas
• They can own assets and property
• Registered OCI will be charged the same entry fee as domestic Indian visitors to visit wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in India
• Parity with NRIs to appear for the All India Pre-medical Test or other tests. Hence, they are eligible for admission as per the provisions in the relevant Acts.
• Individuals can have multiple passports.

• Chances of getting a “visa on arrival” if the passport of the other country is stronger than the home country.

• With a second passport, one can relocate to one country to which they have citizenship if there is any turbulent situation in the other country.

Individuals can apply for Indian citizenship after conceding their foreign citizenship. However, this factor depends on the updated terms and regulations.

Now let’s check the eligibility to gain dual citizenship in India.

Individuals should check certain parameters before applying for dual citizenship. The eligibility parameters can vary according to country.

In terms of Indian citizenship, applicants need to fulfil the mentioned parameters.

• An Individual who is ordinarily resident in India for at least seven years can apply for Indian citizenship.
• Individuals married to an Indian citizen can also apply for Indian citizenship.
• An adult with parents having Indian citizenship is eligible for Indian citizenship. However, they must be residing in India for at least one year.

• A minor whose both parents are Indian citizens or one of them is an Indian citizen.

• A person registered as an overseas citizen of India for five years.
• Foreign nationals eligible to become Indian residents on 26.01.1950 or were citizens of India on or at any time after 26.01.1950 or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947.

The application process for dual citizenship also varies according to a county. For instance, there is an application form available to file for dual citizenship in the United States.

You need to contact the embassy or consulate of your country before applying for U.S. citizenship. It’s crucial to find out which are dual citizenship countries in the first place. A minor mistake in the application can make you lose the citizenship of the residing country without knowledge.

However, if you opt for an OCI card, you need to make an online application and submit documents.

Here’s how individuals wondering how to apply for dual citizenship in India can apply for an OCI card instead -

1. Visit the website of Online OCI Services and register yourself.
2. Check the eligibility and documentation requirements before making an application.
3. Click on “Apply Online” to fill in and submit the form.

Take two printouts of the filled-in application with ITAR number. This number looks like this -ITAR00000511, for instance.

Individuals must submit the following documents when applying for an OCI card -

1. Proof of present citizenship
2. Copy of the cancelled Indian passport, along with the original passport. This passport must have a drill stamp.
3. Evidence of relationship as parent/grandparent, if their Indian origin is claimed as basis for grant of OCI
4. Residential proof 
5. Details of an applicant's present and previous job profile
6. PIO cardholders need to submit a copy of their cards
7. The submitted photos must have a light colour background except for white.

In the case of a minor child, these are the mandatory documents required:

·       Copy of the passport of the parents or Domicile Certificate or Nativity Certificate.

·       Child’s birth certificate.

·       If parents are divorced, the court order of marriage dissolution, mentioning the custody of the child is given to the parent who has the OCI card.

Now let's check the countries that allow dual citizenship for hassle-free applications.