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have been living in India for the past 10 years and hold UK citizenship (acquired in 2015, when I gave up my Indian passport). I still hold a valid OCI card, but it is linked to my old UK passport which expired in May 2025. I am now considering renouncing my UK citizenship and applying to regain Indian citizenship, as I plan to settle permanently in India. Could someone guide me on the following: What is the process for renouncing UK citizenship and surrendering OCI before applying for an Indian passport? Does the fact that my UK passport has already expired affect the process? How long does it usually take to reacquire Indian citizenship, and are there any risks or complications I should be aware of?
To surrender your UK citizenship, you need to fill out the Form RN1, which is the official form for the renunciation, then upload all the documents with the form and submit it to the UK Home Office with all the fees, then you will get a certificate of Renunciation of UK citizenship.
Since you've been living in India for the past 10 years, hold UK citizenship (acquired in 2015), and still have a valid OCI (linked to your now-expired UK passport), here’s a quick summary of how you can move forward with renouncing your UK citizenship and applying to become an Indian citizen again:
1. Apply for Indian Citizenship First
You’ll need to apply under Section 5(1)(f) (if you were previously Indian) or Section 6 (naturalisation), depending on your case. Given your long-term residence, you may qualify. Processing can take 6–12 months or longer, so it’s best to get this started early.
2. Renounce UK Citizenship (Carefully)
Once your Indian application is in progress, you can apply to renounce UK citizenship using Form RN via the UK government website. Your expired passport is okay-just make sure you include your naturalisation certificate or other proof of citizenship.
3. Surrender Your OCI Card
Once Indian citizenship is approved (or your UK renunciation is accepted), you’ll need to surrender your OCI, since it only applies to foreign citizens of Indian origin.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind:
Next Steps: I’d recommend starting with gathering documents for the Indian citizenship application. Please let me know if you’d like help with the forms or have any further questions—I’m happy to assist.
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To apply for Indian citizenship, you will need to submit some of the essential documents, which are: proof of Indian citizenship, a valid birth certificate, and a certificate of renunciation of UK citizenship.