Can Chinese national apply Indian nationality?

zahidmaqbool

Dear all,

I am an indian national and my wife is a chinese natinal. we are currently living in Bangalore. my question is -- can my wife apply indian nationality after few years of stay in india?

Thanks

Aishah

I believe it is possible - she can first apply for a PIO card after a certain length of time of marriage. Citizenship is after quite a number of years (I'm not sure exact no. have heard something like 6). Best of all is for you to make a visit to the FRRO office in Bangalore and make enquiries there.

__________________
"Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

zahidmaqbool

Thanks for ur reply. she can not get a PIO card since she's a chinese national. (

Haylo

You have to have resided in India for at least 12 years before you can apply for citizenship by naturalisation, but doing this means having to give up the citizenship of your country of birth, which may or may not be desirable.

__________________
The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful - E.E. Cummings, poet (1894-1962) . .

Re-Entry Permit from: UK & USA ~ MHA Tourist Visa FAQ ~ MHA Employent & Business Visa FAQ ~ MHA Student Visa FAQ ~ Two month rule ADVICE ~ Two month rule DISCUSSION .

Nick-H

That's section 6.

Check out section 5

Haylo

You're absolutely right (can't imagine why you'd know anything about these issues ) thanks for the continuing education.

Zahid, under the provisions of Section 5 (1)(c) someone married to an Indian citizen has to normally reside in India for "only" seven years before applying for citizenship.

Nick-H

Always a pleasure to bash an immigration ping-pong ball too and fro with you


And here's a curious thing: does this link not say five years, or is it that I drove too many miles today and can't see the screen clearly? I wonder which is the correct current document.

Haylo

Who would think immigration issues could be such fun!

It does, which is indeed curious because both our links have exactly the same application form, which says that one plus six years are needed. The exact words are:
Both our links are only guides to the act, but there does not seem to be any doubt about the section of the act which covers this, I have turned up a PDF scan of the actual Citizenship Act, 1955 itself.

Section 5.1.c (on page six) refers to:

So that seems pretty clear.
I suspect the seven years is correct, and the five years in your link is a typo.
To be honest what worries me more in your document is this:
However, do I recall your posting about this statement a while back? As far as I am aware, the OCI programme has shown no other sign of being suspended.

Alohaguy

Zahid, I won't be of any help but, wanted to say Congratulations on your wedding!! I remember you asking for help in this regard a while back. You have succeeded in one challenge. Now it is time to move on to the next.
Good Luck!

Nick-H

Ah yes, the OIC thing did have a false start --- and that is an indication of the last time anybody checked the web page.

Aishah

Zahid, your wife will be entitled to a PIO card because she is married to you, an Indian National. There is a qualifying period of time before she can get it - something like 2 years currently I believe. It seems to vary according to which country one applies for it from. It can also be applied for in India.

Nick - is OIC the same as OCI? It's all very confusing isn't it?!

Nick-H

Sorry, my mistake... OCI

Haylo

No, you're in the clear, it's the mistake of the Ministry of Home Affairs, quoted earlier as below. It's useful to know the acronym is interchangeable.

Aishah

Thanks Nick and Haylo - cleared it up for me. I was starting to think OIC is another category altogether.

Nick-H

Ah! Thanks, Haylo... I always used to call it OIC, good to know I got it somewhere!