Surrendering Indian passport for Child born in UK

[jain208]

Hi,

My daughter was born in the UK and we received her citizenship certificate in December 2014. I was under the impression that we need to surrender the Indian passport once she gets her UK passport, which she hasn't till now. Me, my wife and my son still have our Indian passport and nationality.
Today, I was told by a friend that we were supposed to surrender her Indian passport as soon as (max within 90 days) she received her citizenship certificate. Is that right? If yes, will there be any penalty while surrendering the passport now?

Thanks,
Abhi.

[manimaran]

Hi Abhi,

Please go through the below information and also the VFS link .

The Government of India has prescribed imposition of penalty on a graded scale, depending on the number of trips made on the Indian passport, renewal of Indian passport after acquiring foreign nationality and Retention of Indian Passport for more than 3 years after acquiring foreign nationality, for the violation of Passport Rules ranging from a minimum of £145 up to a maximum of £1088

http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/Surrender.html
https://www.hcilondon.in/pages.php?id=90

You can surrender your daughter's Indian passport now but have to apply for Indian visitor visa for your daughter if you are planning to visit India. Your daughter can get an OCI card only when you have/apply for OCI card i.e after you getting naturalization and British Passport.


Regards,
Mani

[jain208]

Hi Mani,

Thanks for your prompt reply.
So that means I will not have to pay any fine, as she hasn't used her passport for travel since getting her citizenship?

I am going to apply for her UK passport in a few days. I assume that I can surrender her passport even before getting the UK passport. Is that right?

Thanks,
Abhi.

Hi Abhi,

Please go through the below information and also the VFS link .

The Government of India has prescribed imposition of penalty on a graded scale, depending on the number of trips made on the Indian passport, renewal of Indian passport after acquiring foreign nationality and Retention of Indian Passport for more than 3 years after acquiring foreign nationality, for the violation of Passport Rules ranging from a minimum of £145 up to a maximum of £1088

http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/Surrender.html
https://www.hcilondon.in/pages.php?id=90

You can surrender your daughter's Indian passport now but have to apply for Indian visitor visa for your daughter if you are planning to visit India. Your daughter can get an OCI card only when you have/apply for OCI card i.e after you getting naturalization and British Passport.


Regards,
Mani

[ban.s]

Daughter can apply for OCI now.

[jain208]

Daughter can apply for OCI now.

But she hasn't got her UK passport yet. Can this be done without getting UK passport?

[manimaran]

Hi Abhi,

ban.s is right. Your daughter can apply for OCI according to the VFS site. sorry my bad.

From VFS site

OCI Applications for minor children

Minor children holding foreign nationality and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India or both or one parents are OCI card holder, are eligible for OCI Card.



Yes, no need to pay fine if not travelled on Indian Passport after acquiring British Citizenship.

When I surrendered my Indian Passport recently, VFS asked or my Naturalization Certificate and British Passport. I say if you are not travelling to India within the next month try to get British Passport for your daughter and the apply for Surrender of Indian Passport.

Mani

[jain208]

Thanks Mani and Ban.S

My original plan was the same - applying for UK passport -> surrendering Indian passport -> OCI. But after hearing about the fine, I got a bit worried.
I am planning to go to India in July-end. If I start the process now, I guess 3-3.5 months should be enough to complete the process. isn't it?

Thanks,
Abhi.

Hi Abhi,

ban.s is right. Your daughter can apply for OCI according to the VFS site. sorry my bad.

From VFS site

OCI Applications for minor children

Minor children holding foreign nationality and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India or both or one parents are OCI card holder, are eligible for OCI Card.



Yes, no need to pay fine if not travelled on Indian Passport after acquiring British Citizenship.

When I surrendered my Indian Passport recently, VFS asked or my Naturalization Certificate and British Passport. I say if you are not travelling to India within the next month try to get British Passport for your daughter and the apply for Surrender of Indian Passport.

Mani

[manimaran]

Hi Abhi,

I think so, but I will give you my timeline details:

(includes weekends )
BP Passport - 14 days after posting the application via Check and Send.
Surrender of Indian Passport - 7 days
OCI - by looking at the posts in the forum an average of 5 weeks if based on London HC ; 6-8 weeks for Birmingham HC

Also the availability of appointments vary for the submission of Surrender of Indian Passport and OCI based on then VFS centre.


Regards,
Mani