OCI application and Indian passport surrender within India

[amit13]

Dear Mandhan,
I will be travelling to India for a few months in August. I will just have enough time to apply for my British passport here in UK before I travel.

I am aware that one can travel on an Indian passport for a period up to 90 days from the day the foreign citizenship is acquired. Hence I can enter India as a British national on Indian passport.

So here is my precise question:
If one travels to India immediately after getting the British passport (taking advantage of 3 months grace period to travel on Indian passport) and uses his Indian passport to enter, can he surrender his Indian passport and apply for OCI in India as long as its all done within 3 months?

I guess part of the question also is whether 90 days grace period is allowed only for travel or also for stay in India.

I am sure that OCI can be applied at one of the FRRO offices in India. However not sure if one can also surrender the passport in India, hence the above questions. One obvious answer will be to surrender my passport here in London and then get a visa to travel to India. However I an really pressed for time and would barely have any time left to surrender and apply for the visa after I receives my British passport

Thanks
amit.balaji13@gmail.com

[ban.s]

before I answer your questions may i ask when did you receive your naturalisation certificate and how long are you planning to stay in india?

[amit13]

I will b getting in August end but my precise question remains same as posted earlier


"If one travels to India immediately after getting the British passport (taking advantage of 3 months grace period to travel on Indian passport) and uses his Indian passport to enter, can he surrender his Indian passport and apply for OCI in India as long as its all done within 3 months?

I guess part of the question also is whether 90 days grace period is allowed only for travel or also for stay in India.

I am sure that OCI can be applied at one of the FRRO offices in India. However not sure if one can also surrender the passport in India, hence the above questions. One obvious answer will be to surrender my passport here in London and then get a visa to travel to India. However I an really pressed for time and would barely have any time left to surrender and apply for the visa after I receives my British passport "

BTW I intend to live for an year or so

Thanks

[ban.s]

well, there is no precise answer to your precise questions.

theoretically yes, you can but no widely published document or guideline on citizenship renunciation process in India is available. Officers at FRRO do apply their discretion / rules and rely on official circulars. It entirely depends on the FRRO and officer you are dealing with. I know people who managed to get it as well as others who were not allowed.

So it's best you directly enquire with your regional FRRO in India. Experience from one region to other will vary.

[amit13]

Thank you ban.s

[hemant_lakhani]

Hi Amit, I have exactly same questions, I hope you know it now and have experienced, can you please suggest? Thanks

[hemant_lakhani]

Hi Amit, I have got UK passport, also sent ILR BRP to Home office.
will there be problem while exiting UK or entering India if I can travel to India using Indian passport in grace period and then travel back using UK passport ?

[CR001]

Hi Amit, I have exactly same questions, I hope you know it now and have experienced, can you please suggest? Thanks

Kind refrain from digging up topics that are more than 4 years old. Start your own topic with your question.