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Indo-Canadians embrace dual citizenship |
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By Ravi Mehta » Canadians
of Indian origin have enthusiastically greeted the launch of a new form
of dual citizenship, with some 500 applying even before the program was
formally rolled out last week.
The so-called "overseas citizenship" is different from an earlier (since suspended) scheme in that it is available to almost all Indian-born people, anywhere in the world.
Some 20 million people of Indian origin live in 110 countries, including about 800,000 in Canada. About 80,000 worldwide are expected to apply for overseas citizenship this year.
Toronto applications are already running in third place among cities worldwide, behind Sydney, Australia, and London, England.
Applications cost C$421 in Canada, including a $40 processing charge. It is not known why the fee is higher in Canada - officially, it is supposed to be US$275 or the equivalent in local currency. At current rates, that converts to about C$320.
Despite that, it is expected that thousands of Indian-born Canadian citizens will apply for overseas citizenship in the coming months. Their children and grandchildren are also eligible to apply.
Apart from the obvious advantages of the program - being able to retain ties with their country of birth, the dual citizenship plan offers other benefits:
- A multiple entry, multi-purpose lifelong visa for visiting India.
- Exemption from registration with the local police authorities for any length of stay in India. (Currently, foreign visitors must check in with local police for stays longer than six months.)
- Ability to invest freely in residential or commercial property.
- Parity under Indian tax laws.
Overseas citizens will however not be able to vote, run for public office, take up a government job or buy agricultural land or plantations in India.
Unlike an earlier, highly limited dual citizenship scheme, the new program is available to every foreign citizen of Indian origin, their children and granchildren. The only exceptions are those who have had Pakistani or Bangladeshi nationality at any point.
Those approved for overseas citizenship will receive a Registration Certificate, much like an Indian passport though in a different colour.
- A multiple entry, multi-purpose OCI ‘U’ (Universal) visa sticker will be pasted on the applicant’s foreign passport.
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- Applicants in Canada need the following documents to proceed:
- Original Indian passport and copy, or other "acceptable" proof
Original and a copy of the landing paper issued by the Canadian Immigration authorities for those who earlier had an Indian passport. If original has been lost, a duplicate should be obtained from Canadian authorities.
A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card, if available. PIO card holders need only pay $40 rather than the $421 fee.
It is estimated that processing should take about 15 days, if there is no adverse information available against the applicant, or up to three months otherwise.
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