For many Indians living abroad, acquiring foreign citizenship is a significant milestone. However, it also comes with a legal obligation — surrendering your Indian passport. The Indian government requires all Indian citizens who obtain foreign citizenship to surrender their Indian passport to comply with the law. This blog provides detailed guidance on the process, penalties, and key scenarios that every Indian living abroad should be aware of.

Why Must You Surrender Your Indian Passport?
India does not allow dual citizenship. Once you acquire foreign citizenship, you cease to be an Indian citizen, and your Indian passport is no longer valid. The Indian Passport Act strictly prohibits holding two passports, and using an Indian passport after acquiring foreign citizenship can result in penalties. Surrendering your Indian passport ensures compliance with Indian laws and avoids unnecessary fines or legal complications.
What Happens If You Don't Surrender Your Passport?
Failure to surrender your Indian passport can result in penalties, as outlined in the table below. Depending on whether or not you’ve used your Indian passport after acquiring foreign citizenship and how long you've retained it, penalties may be imposed.
Scenario | Penalty |
Passport not surrendered up to three years and not used for travel after obtaining foreign passport. | No Penalty |
Passport not surrendered up to three years and traveled once after obtaining foreign passport. | No penalty for retention of passport but penalty of Rs.10,000 (CHF 450) for travel on Indian passport. |
Passport not surrendered up to three years and traveled more than once after obtaining foreign passport. | No penalty for retention of passport but penalty of Rs.10,000 per travel on Indian passport (aggregate penalty on travel not to exceed Rs.50,000). |
Passport not surrendered for over three years and used for travel after obtaining foreign passport. | Penalty of Rs.10,000 (CHF 450) for retention of passport and Rs.10,000 per travel (aggregate penalty on travel not to exceed Rs.50,000). |
Renewal/re-issue of Indian passport and traveling on it after acquiring foreign nationality. | Rs.25,000 (CHF 1125) for renewal/re-issue and Rs.10,000 per travel on Indian passport (aggregate penalty on travel not to exceed Rs.50,000). |
Key Steps for Surrendering Your Indian Passport
Fill the Application: Download the passport surrender form from the official website of the Indian Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.
Required Documents:
Original Indian passport
Copy of your foreign passport or naturalization certificate
Passport surrender form
Recent passport-sized photographs
Applicable fees (fees may vary depending on the location and circumstances)
Submit the Documents: The documents can be submitted in person or by post, depending on the instructions provided by the Indian consulate or embassy. Upon successful submission, you will be issued a Surrender Certificate.
What Is a Surrender Certificate?
A Surrender Certificate is an official document that confirms the surrender of your Indian passport. This certificate is essential for future consular services, such as applying for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. The OCI card allows visa-free entry and several privileges for foreign nationals of Indian origin, despite no longer holding Indian citizenship.
Timelines and Fees
The processing time for the surrender certificate typically ranges from a few weeks to a month. The cost of surrendering the passport depends on when the passport was last renewed and whether it was used for travel after obtaining foreign citizenship. As per the table above, penalties can apply if the passport is retained for an extended period or used for travel.
Consequences of Not Surrendering
Retaining your Indian passport after acquiring foreign citizenship can lead to penalties, including fines and restrictions on future travel to India. In some cases, continued use of the Indian passport can result in legal action. If your Indian passport is lost or damaged, you must still report it to the consulate and complete the surrender process.
Application for OCI Card
After surrendering your Indian passport, you may be eligible to apply for an OCI card. The OCI card grants long-term visa-free travel to India and allows you to live, work, or study in the country without needing a visa. It's important to note that while the OCI card provides various benefits, it does not grant Indian citizenship.
Key Takeaways
Surrendering your Indian passport after acquiring foreign citizenship is mandatory.
Holding onto your Indian passport post-naturalization can lead to fines and penalties.
A Surrender Certificate is essential for future consular services, including the OCI application.
Timely surrender of your passport ensures you avoid legal issues and penalties.
Final Thoughts
The surrender of your Indian passport is not just a formality but a legal obligation. Understanding the process and the penalties involved ensures that you comply with Indian law and avoid unnecessary fines. For those who need help with the surrender process or have immigration-related questions, SKT CONSULTANTS is here to assist. Reach out to us for professional guidance to ensure a smooth transition.
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