Permanent Residency

DoReMi

Hi, I've been looking for a thread / website that will give me information on getting a permanent residency in India. I keep hearing rumors, but cannot find anything official or authoritative. Been living in India on visas for about five years, and want to make it permanent - not for getting a job, just to stay here without getting nervous every time I need an extension or want to move around. Any suggestions? Any website addresses? Thanks.

__________________
I know that you believe you understand what you think I meant,
but I'm not sure you realise that what you heard is not what I said.

GoanCanuck

If you are not of Indian origin then it is not possible for you to be permanently resident in India. Of course you could get married to an Indian citizen which would enable you to stay indefinitely.

Nick-H

From the London HCI site:How to acquire citizenship? see here.

In my more insecure moments in life I reflect that even though my life is entirely based here now, around my marriage to an Indian Citizen, I remain here, as many immigrants all over the world do, at the discretion of my host government .

But, in practice, being married to an Indian Citizen is probably about the most secure situation a foreign citizen can be in, as regards immigration/visa laws.

__________________
.


Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

anar

does britain allow dual citizenship? does anyone know?

Nick-H

Yes: Britain does.

India doesn't.

cf India's OCI scheme: not dual citizenship but....

eater

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H Yes: Britain does.India doesn't. cf India's OCI scheme: not dual citizenship but....

OCI holders are not allowed to vote
(in the national election, I think....I am not sure about Municipal election or State elections)

OCI holders are not allowed employment in civilian Govt posts, or in army, navy etc

And OCI holders are not allowed to buy agriculure land (altho this may change soon....as more and more "agriculture" land is being released for "development")

OCI holder can become Citizen after 5 years provided the person has stayed at least 1 year within those five years in India -

Does not have to be continuous 12 months stay - could be 3 months every year for 4 yrs and then apply for Citizenship the fifth year)....

__________________
Just happy to be here.........

richie4india

Ermm....India now allows Dual with Britain!

The HCI advised my colleague that she may keep her Indian Citizenhsip if she applies for the British Passport.

Nick-H

I really think they made a mistake!

Or she did.

maybe they are talking about OCI?

eater

OCI came into being in 2006, so the first batch
of true Dual Citizens should be "approved" in 2011.

Until then its "dual citizens" with OCIs having specific "restrictions"

richie4india

Well I know a while ago it was passed in India...then all it needs is to be made law. Which it may have done! Maybe they have got it wrong but she would not have.

It is either almost law or is law! Fact though is it has change or is changing.

Well India is a funny place for the different answers from different officials!

eater

Quote:

Originally Posted by richie4india Ermm....India now allows Dual with Britain! The HCI advised my colleague that she may keep her Indian Citizenhsip if she applies for the British Passport.

Never considered the reverse situation...Nick-H ??

An Indian Citizen emigrates, acquires British-EU Citizenship....and does not relinquish Indian Citizenship

Now this individual truely holds dual citizenships, not OCI !! (In India such a person is called an NRI - Non Resident Indian, I think)

Now, I understand the strong objections that the Indian diaspora in USA had agaist the dual citizenship "rules" that resulted in OCI for those already abroad who had 'lost" or "given up" their Indian citizenships to obtain US passports - these individuals could only regain OCIs not full citizenships until 5 years hence as long as they spend about 3 months a year in India !!

Whereas Indians who now go abroad will have two full citizenships if they wish (no OCIs for them).

Nick-H

That is very typical, which is why you have to go to the source to check out the law.

There is a history of India wanting to make its ex-citizens feel like they still belonged. Its constitution does not allow holding of full citizenship of another country.

First they came up with PIO, which has been around a few years now. Then, more recently, OCI (Overseas 'Citizenship' of India).

You can check it all out here
India does not allow to have a full citizenship of two countries, as in having two passports, voting rights in two countries, full privalidges and responsibilities of citizenship in two countries (assuming that one of those countries is India ).

I'd go so far as to stick my neck out and say you are wrong about this; it has not changed (since OCI introduction), and it is not possible, according to Indian (it is according to British) to hold Indian and British passports.

Eater, what is it you are talking about here for 2011? OCIs do have restrictions,but I'm not aware of anything about to change in 2011?

The fact that they refer to OCI as 'dual citizenship' in many of their own doccuments really adds to the confusion. You can find 'Dual citizenship is not allowed' and 'how to apply for dual citizenship' ---really close.

Nick-H

No, he doesn't.

Certainly I have considered this! And what is happening is that that person is breaking the law of India, which requires him to surrender Indian citizenship on taking that of another country.

How and if they ensure that people do that is another matter!

GoanCanuck

NRI is a person who is resident outside India but is a citizen only of India and no other country. The moment this individual acquires citizenship of another country he ceases to be a NRI. He then becomes a person of Indian origin irrespective of whether he gets a PIO card or not.

GoanCanuck

Very simple. Anyone entering or leaving India has to have his passport scrutinized and stamped. If an individual is using passports of two different countries can be easily caught by checking the visas and stamps on the passports.

In Canada it your passport is checked by the authorities only when you are entering Canada not when you exit. A lot of people misuse this loophole.