Indian Passport Surrender

Surrendering an Indian passport is required if you’ve obtained foreign citizenship (except in the case of dual citizenship with certain countries) since India does not allow dual citizenship. Once you become a citizen of another country, you are required to surrender your Indian passport and obtain a Surrender Certificate. This certificate is necessary to apply for future Indian visas, OCI cards, or any Indian consular services.

Here’s a detailed guide on how to surrender your Indian passport while residing in Canada:

1. Why Surrender an Indian Passport?

When you acquire foreign citizenship, your Indian passport becomes invalid as India does not allow dual citizenship. It’s illegal to use an Indian passport for travel once you are a foreign citizen, and failing to surrender it may lead to penalties.

2. Documents Required for Surrender of Indian Passport

To surrender your Indian passport, you’ll need to submit specific documents. These are the basic documents required:

1. Original Indian Passport:
   • Your last held Indian passport (the physical passport must be submitted).
2. Copy of Canadian Citizenship Certificate:
   • A copy of the Canadian citizenship certificate or naturalization document.
3. Canadian Passport Copy:
   • A copy of your Canadian passport (if issued) or citizenship card.
4. Proof of Address in Canada:
   • A utility bill, driver’s license, or bank statement to verify your Canadian residential address.
5. Application Form:
   • Filled-out Indian passport surrender application form, available on the BLS International website.
6. Photographs:
   • Two passport-sized photos (2″ x 2″), following the same specifications required for Indian passport services.
7. Self-Attested Copies:
   • Copies of the first two pages, last two pages, and any endorsements or visa pages of your last Indian passport.

3. Steps to Surrender Your Indian Passport in Canada

Step 1: Fill Out the Application Form

1. Visit the BLS International Canada website.
2. Download and print the Surrender of Indian Passport application form.
3. Fill out the form with your personal details, including information from your last Indian passport, your Canadian citizenship details, and your address in Canada.

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

Collect all the necessary documents, including your original Indian passport, Canadian citizenship certificate, Canadian passport, proof of Canadian address, and passport-sized photographs.

Step 3: Submit Your Application to BLS International

BLS International handles passport surrender services for the Indian government in Canada. You can submit your application in two ways:

1. Walk-in Submission: Visit your nearest BLS center to submit your application in person.
2. Courier Submission: Mail your application package to the BLS office. Include a prepaid return envelope if you want the surrender certificate mailed back to you.

BLS International offices are located in major Canadian cities, such as:

• Toronto: 20 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 1200, Toronto, ON M4P 1A9.
• Vancouver: 2010-777 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1S4.
• Ottawa: 100 Queen Street, Suite 1060, Ottawa, ON K1P 1J9.
• Calgary: 736 6th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3T7.

Step 4: Pay the Surrender Fee

The fee for surrendering an Indian passport varies based on when you acquired foreign citizenship and the condition of your Indian passport.

As of 2024, the fees are approximately:

• Standard Surrender Certificate Fee: CAD 112 (if the passport was issued after acquiring foreign citizenship or has been used after foreign citizenship).
• Damaged/Lost Indian Passport Fee: CAD 222 (if the passport is damaged or lost).
• Additional Penalties: If you used your Indian passport for travel after acquiring foreign citizenship, additional penalties may apply. These range from CAD 300 to CAD 500, depending on the number of times the passport was used.

You can pay the fee online through BLS International or in person at the BLS center using cash, debit card, or bank draft.

Step 5: Receive the Surrender Certificate

Once your application is processed, you will receive the Surrender Certificate. This document officially acknowledges that you have surrendered your Indian passport and are no longer an Indian citizen.

• Processing Time: Typically takes around 2 to 4 weeks from the date of submission.
• You can track the status of your application on the BLS International website by entering your tracking number.

4. What Happens After Surrendering the Passport?

After surrendering your Indian passport, you will be required to apply for a visa or an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card to travel to India in the future. The OCI card provides lifelong visa-free entry to India, as well as several other benefits for foreign nationals of Indian origin.

5. Penalties for Not Surrendering Indian Passport

If you do not surrender your Indian passport after acquiring foreign citizenship and use it for travel, you may face the following consequences:

• Penalties: Fines ranging from CAD 300 to CAD 500 depending on the number of uses.
• Legal Issues: Using an invalid Indian passport is a violation of Indian law, and you may be barred from receiving Indian consular services until the matter is resolved.

6. Tracking the Application

After submitting your application to BLS International, you can track its status by visiting the Track Application section on the BLS website. You will need the reference number provided when you submitted the application.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Can I travel to India with my Indian passport after acquiring Canadian citizenship? No, once you become a Canadian citizen, your Indian passport is no longer valid for travel. You need to surrender it and obtain a visa or an OCI card to travel to India.
• What happens if my Indian passport is lost or damaged? If your passport is lost or damaged, you will need to submit additional documents, such as a police report or affidavit, and pay an additional fee for the issuance of the surrender certificate.
• Can I apply for an OCI card after surrendering my Indian passport? Yes, once you have obtained the surrender certificate, you can apply for an OCI card, which offers lifelong visa-free travel to India and various other benefits.
• How long does it take to get the Surrender Certificate? The processing time for the surrender certificate is usually between 2 to 4 weeks, but it can vary depending on the consulate’s workload.