Travelling to India with Indian and Canadian passport

[JJS]

Hi There

I tried posting in several other related threads but the other threads are somewhat dead. Ok so here's the deal. This applies to my friend and will apply to me in the future as well. My friend is an Indian citizen and has his oath scheduled for Oct 25th. He's travelling to India on November 4th.

So he can still get a canadian passport under the urgent category, however there's absolutely no time to surrender and get an Indian Visa.

Also something I came across was that, there's a 3 month grace period for using indian passport after acquiring foreign citizenship. I tried calling BLS for a confirmation and they could not give a clear answer. Trying to contact Indian consulate here in Canada is pretty useless.

Can my friend travel with both Indian and Canadian passports since Canadian passport will be his only document to be able to return to Canada. Does India allow this under the 3 month exception? Also Can we enter India on Indian Passport and exit on Canadian? Does India permit that under any circumstances?

Does anyone know how the 3 month exception works?

Thanks in advance and hope some people can help.

 

[rrajendra]

Hi There

I tried posting in several other related threads but the other threads are somewhat dead. Ok so here's the deal. This applies to my friend and will apply to me in the future as well. My friend is an Indian citizen and has his oath scheduled for Oct 25th. He's travelling to India on November 4th.

So he can still get a canadian passport under the urgent category, however there's absolutely no time to surrender and get an Indian Visa.

Also something I came across was that, there's a 3 month grace period for using indian passport after acquiring foreign citizenship. I tried calling BLS for a confirmation and they could not give a clear answer. Trying to contact Indian consulate here in Canada is pretty useless.

Can my friend travel with both Indian and Canadian passports since Canadian passport will be his only document to be able to return to Canada. Does India allow this under the 3 month exception? Also Can we enter India on Indian Passport and exit on Canadian? Does India permit that under any circumstances?

Does anyone know how the 3 month exception works?

Thanks in advance and hope some people can help.

You can travel to India using Indian passport after acquiring Canadian citizenship, but there is a catch!
2. Penalty for travelling on Indian Passport after acquiring Canadian citizenship is C$ 343 for each time, subject to a maximum of C$ 1711

Source:
http://blsindia-canada.com/renunciation_ppt.php

 

[JJS]

You can travel to India using Indian passport after acquiring Canadian citizenship, but there is a catch!
2. Penalty for travelling on Indian Passport after acquiring Canadian citizenship is C$ 343 for each time, subject to a maximum of C$ 1711

Source:
http://blsindia-canada.com/renunciation_ppt.php

But it also says that penalty begins after we've exhausted the 3 month grace period. Also i am traveling within the grace period. My main concern is how would Indian Immigration react to a situation like this? So maybe someone with a similar experience can answer this.

 

[rrajendra]

But it also says that penalty begins after we've exhausted the 3 month grace period. Also i am traveling within the grace period. My main concern is how would Indian Immigration react to a situation like this? So maybe someone with a similar experience can answer this.

My understanding:

• You have 3 month grace period to renounce your Indian citizenship formally without inviting the fine of $343
• Traveling with Indian passport after taking oath as Canadian will invite a penalty, even if you fly the same day. The moment you become a Canadian citizen, you cease to be Indian citizen; and you need a visa or equivalent to visit India

 

[Shmak2017]

Try to check ministry of external affairs website and Indian passport website for more help

But it also says that penalty begins after we've exhausted the 3 month grace period. Also i am traveling within the grace period. My main concern is how would Indian Immigration react to a situation like this? So maybe someone with a similar experience can answer this.

 

[JJS]

Try to check ministry of external affairs website and Indian passport website for more help

I did. The information is very vague. I emailed CGI Vancouver and the counselor replied back saying all the information we have is on the website already. Brilliant, as expected. Maybe someone has gone through this before and can help.

 

[dbss]

If you live in Toronto, I would suggest to do a drop in to CGI Toronto on Friday as there is a walk in time on that day.

As far as I know, Indian immigration may give you grief because you would have entered with Indian passport and hence your entry stamp is on Indian passport.

Now, if you enter only with your Canadian passport, you need Indian Visa.
If you enter with your Indian passport, Indian immigration authorities would require Canadian Visa at your departure.

Can you surrender your Indian passport in India and apply for Canadian passport at the mission in India?

 

[JJS]

If you live in Toronto, I would suggest to do a drop in to CGI Toronto on Friday as there is a walk in time on that day.

As far as I know, Indian immigration may give you grief because you would have entered with Indian passport and hence your entry stamp is on Indian passport.

Now, if you enter only with your Canadian passport, you need Indian Visa.
If you enter with your Indian passport, Indian immigration authorities would require Canadian Visa at your departure.

Can you surrender your Indian passport in India and apply for Canadian passport at the mission in India?

I am in Saskatchewan. No Consulates here. Also calling an Indian consulate is pretty useless. I was just wondering if someone can clarify what does the 3 month grace period means.

 

[JJS]

My understanding:

• You have 3 month grace period to renounce your Indian citizenship formally without inviting the fine of $343
• Traveling with Indian passport after taking oath as Canadian will invite a penalty, even if you fly the same day. The moment you become a Canadian citizen, you cease to be Indian citizen; and you need a visa or equivalent to visit India

This is correct. I can use for 3 months without inviting a penalty. However the situation applies to if I am travelling to a 3rd country. India will allow entry on Indian passport and exit on Canadian passport. Some people say we need an exit visa and so many other scenarios. I think in the end the easiest bet is delaying the oath. All the plans I have for India are a lot of money to let go.

 

[rajmalhotra7]

This is correct. I can use for 3 months without inviting a penalty. However the situation applies to if I am travelling to a 3rd country. India will allow entry on Indian passport and exit on Canadian passport. Some people say we need an exit visa and so many other scenarios. I think in the end the easiest bet is delaying the oath. All the plans I have for India are a lot of money to let go.

Try e-visa for India on Canadian Passport. https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

 

[JJS]

Try e-visa for India on Canadian Passport. https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

eVisa only allows me single entry. I am looking for multiple entry.

 

[rrajendra]

This is correct. I can use for 3 months without inviting a penalty.

You have 3 months to renounce Indian citizenship without inviting penalty. Even during these three months, any travel using Indian passport to any country will result in penalty

India will allow entry on Indian passport and exit on Canadian passport. Some people say we need an exit visa and so many other scenarios.

Of course India will allow you entry and exit, however Immigration process may not very pleasant once the officials find out your particulars!

I think in the end the easiest bet is delaying the oath. All the plans I have for India are a lot of money to let go.

If I were you, I would rather delay the Indian trip, but it's your trip and hard earned dollars!

 

[neoseal]

I was in similar situation few years back, three month is grace period during which travel is allowed without incurring penalty. I have traveled without any issues in 2013 after confirming with Indian High Commission. I entered India on Indian passport and exited with foreign passport. Also you can apply for OCI in India, if you are going to be living there long enough for the process to be completed there. Lots of people every year are in similar situation. I don't know if rules have changed, which is unlikely. Check it out directly with High Commission.

 

[JJS]

I was in similar situation few years back, three month is grace period during which travel is allowed without incurring penalty. I have traveled without any issues in 2013 after confirming with Indian High Commission. I entered India on Indian passport and exited with foreign passport. Also you can apply for OCI in India, if you are going to be living there long enough for the process to be completed there. Lots of people every year are in similar situation. I don't know if rules have changed, which is unlikely. Check it out directly with High Commission.

You were the one I was waiting for. Thank you so much for clarifying this! I am travelling a lot so won't have enough time to apply for OCI but wanted to know what would happen if i just show a different passport to the immigration. Would they stop me from travelling, or make a scene, or make me miss my flight back to Canada. Probably the Indian high commission were better in 2013 and now they just stopped responding. Did you carry any proofs such as website print outs or authorization from High commission or anything of that sort?

 

[Dolly143]

You were the one I was waiting for. Thank you so much for clarifying this! I am travelling a lot so won't have enough time to apply for OCI but wanted to know what would happen if i just show a different passport to the immigration. Would they stop me from travelling, or make a scene, or make me miss my flight back to Canada. Probably the Indian high commission were better in 2013 and now they just stopped responding. Did you carry any proofs such as website print outs or authorization from High commission or anything of that sort?

No random person could suggest this on this forum....the best bet is you can take your chances...