Is the surrender of an Indian passport mandatory after acquiring foreign citizenship?

KJ Posted by: Kavita Joshi
• 07 June, 2025
8 Reply

Yes, it is mandatory to surrender your Indian passport after acquiring citizenship of a foreign country. It is because India does not permit dual citizenship to its citizens, and the Indian Passport Act prohibits foreign nationals from holding an Indian passport.

Tags : Surrender Indian passport, Surrender certificate India, surrender of Indian passport

  • Omkar Shetty 17 June, 2025

    All Indian passport holders must surrender their Indian passports to the nearest Indian Post/ Mission immediately after obtaining a foreign citizenship as per the Indian Passport Act 1967. Once an Indian citizen becomes a foreign citizen, they are not permitted to hold dual citizenship and have no option but to surrender their Indian passport. Also, these individuals do not apply for an Indian visa, PIO, or OCI card until they surrender their Indian passport and get the surrender certificate.

    • VN
      Viraj Nambiar 16 July, 2025

      Yes, you need to surrender your Indian passport after getting the citizenship of a foreign country, according to the Indian Passport Act, 1967, which says, all Indian citizens who are getting a foreign citizenship are mandatory to surrender their Indian passport, and if they fail to do so, they are under the miuse of Indian passport oddences under the section 12(A) of the Passport Act, 1967. 

  • Simran Luthra 15 June, 2025

    According to the Indian Passport Act, an Indian citizen cannot hold two passports of different countries at the same time. So, as per this, after acquiring foreign citizenship, an individual needs to submit his/her passport to Indian officials immediately or after the completion of a three-month grace period after obtaining a foreign nationality.

  • Kabir Batra 13 June, 2025

    Yes, after acquiring foreign citizenship, it is mandatory to surrender your Indian passport, as the Indian government does not permit dual citizenship for its individuals. It should be done after a three-month grace period has elapsed following the acquisition of foreign citizenship. If you fail to do so, you may face legal consequences.

  • Sakshi Chhabra 10 June, 2025

    According to the Indian government, an Indian citizen is required to surrender their Indian passport after obtaining citizenship of another country, as dual citizenship is not permitted in India. The surrender process should be done after acquiring the foreign citizenship; failing to do so may result in penalties.

    • RJ
      Rhea Jindal 18 July, 2025

      Yes, it is important to surrender the Indian passport after getting a foreign citizenship, and if a person does not surrender their Indian passport, then under Section 12 (A) of the Passport Act, 1967, they are required to pay a penalty of INR 10,000 for not submitting the Indian passport or may end up in jail. 

  • Sakshi Chhabra 09 June, 2025

    Yes, as per the Indian laws, it is mandatory for a person to surrender his/her Indian passport if he/she get citizenship of a foreign country. It is because the Indian government does not permit dual citizenship to its citizens, nor does the Indian Passport Act allow foreign nationals to hold an Indian passport. This should be done immediately after getting citizenship in a foreign country. Also, failing to do so will result in penalties and legal issues.

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