Indians Will you take US citizenship?

[Saddle Bronc 124]

..., I am 100% Indian at heart and will always be.

As are I (who became a citizen of Canada in 1982 and US in 2005) and Pras (who completed naturalisation 2010/03/18). Edited July 9, 2010 by Saddle Bronc

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I hear you and I perfectly understand where you are coming from. But let me ask you this: can you really in good conscience then take the Oath of Allegiance then? What if, the gods forbid, the USA enters a war with Hindustan? Wouldn't you have a huge problem with your husband throwing bombs down there on your former home, you ex friends and family?

(I know that this is a bit of an aggressive question, but I also think you'll understand why I'm asking it.)

I'll proxy-answer for DanielParul.

My loyalty is to my country of citizenship first and then to my culture. My birth country does not enter into the equation, even if it is the basis of my culture!

[ELW 5]

hobokenworkingman: why was it hard getting the OCI card? The application requirements sound so easy!

[^_^ 5,021]

hobokenworkingman: why was it hard getting the OCI card? The application requirements sound so easy!

Yo, nothings a gimme when you're dealing with the govt of India.

[hobokenworkingman 4]

Yo, nothings a gimme when you're dealing with the govt of India.

exactly. they had some absolutely ridiculous rules that were just a ploy to gouge money out of people. 175 bux for a stupid surrender certificate which they made people of indian origin run around and get, to only then rescind their rule b/c too many people protested. so in essence, i had to fork over 175 bux for nothing, not to mention the time and effort and aggravation spent in hours at the indian consulate in NYC. NOT a pleasant experience in any sense of the word...now they've gone back to relaxing the rules and it IS much easier now. matter of fact, it actually WAS a breeze until 2 months ago when they decided to make some money from ex-Indian citizens. anyway, dont get me started on this topic, as it would just get my blood boiling.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

I'll proxy-answer for DanielParul.

My loyalty is to my country of citizenship first and then to my culture. My birth country does not enter into the equation, even if it is the basis of my culture!

I'd call that an excellent answer!

[Nikita2Charles 31]

Some of the benefits for getting US citizenship

1) Not having to deal with Immigration once you are done

2)Convenience of Travel, 2 years ago we wanted to go to France, we had to get a visa from the French Consulate in San Francisco, a year earlier a Shienzhen visa for travel to Ireland and Germany. Just 2 months we had to take off to France at the last minute, this time around my wife didn't have to worry about getting any Visa

3) Voting rights

4) As mentioned in a case earlier, with a green card you can only stays out of the US for about 6 months or so without having to do additional paperwork, or having problems regarding abandoning your residency if you do decide to go back. I know a few people who have retired and moved back to India, they have their Kids and Grand kids here, they can come back anytime they want, and also with the NRI account their Social security get deposit to their account in $$$ while spending in Rupees.

5) Security Clearance for some Govt Jobs and research facilities

[DanielParul 50]

I'd call that an excellent answer!

I agree with Sadle Bronc on this one. Can't take the oath if I don't mean it. My loyalty will be with the Country that I am a citizen of but can't take my culture out of me.

[ak205 1]

exactly. they had some absolutely ridiculous rules that were just a ploy to gouge money out of people. 175 bux for a stupid surrender certificate which they made people of indian origin run around and get, to only then rescind their rule b/c too many people protested. so in essence, i had to fork over 175 bux for nothing, not to mention the time and effort and aggravation spent in hours at the indian consulate in NYC. NOT a pleasant experience in any sense of the word...now they've gone back to relaxing the rules and it IS much easier now. matter of fact, it actually WAS a breeze until 2 months ago when they decided to make some money from ex-Indian citizens. anyway, dont get me started on this topic, as it would just get my blood boiling.

Hey can you tell me do USCs have to surrender their Indian passport still or there is no more compulsion as such anymore ?

My husband is a naturalised USC, still has his Indian passport. So if he travels to India will they ask him for the surrender certificate

Thanks in advance.

[Vijay 0]

I think he has to surrender the Indian passport, get it cancelled by the Indian consulate and then get the surrender certificate.

Check out http://www.indiacgny.org/php/showHighLightDet.php?h_id=145&key=

Also check out http://www.indiacgny.org/php/showHighLightDet.php?h_id=147&key= about holding non-cancelled indian passports.

Hey can you tell me do USCs have to surrender their Indian passport still or there is no more compulsion as such anymore ?

My husband is a naturalised USC, still has his Indian passport. So if he travels to India will they ask him for the surrender certificate

Thanks in advance.

[bobby_kvisa 7]

True that India does not allow Dual Citizenship - but why not just apply for OCI or PIO status? You gain many priveledges with those cards - which are effectively like Green Cards for India if you ever decide to go back there.

[bobby_kvisa 7]

The way I understand it is that you need to surrender your Indian passport only if you are going to request some type of Consular service from the Indian Consulate (government). This could be anything from a simple Affidavit to something much more common such as an Indian Tourist Visa in a US (naturalized citizen or NRI) passport.

[trinket 30]

True that India does not allow Dual Citizenship - but why not just apply for OCI or PIO status? You gain many priveledges with those cards - which are effectively like Green Cards for India if you ever decide to go back there.

Yes one do have an option for OCI or PIO but at the end of the day you are giving up your citizenship no matter what. Technically you aren't an INDIAN anymore.

I asked this question for more of an emotional reason than practicality. Practically it is better to get the US citizenship, but then you are giving up your Indian citizenship.

[Moksha 1]

Hey guys ,

How are u all . Ok here is the only and only reason that I would go for the citizenship . I am the only Son of my parents and I really want to take care of them when times come .

I still having hard time thinking that I would not be called Indian citizen , but the fact is that Its always in my heart that i will be an Indian forever . We have also decided when time come to put down my workin shoes . We will spend 6 months in India and 6 months here in states .

[missads 59]

Yes one do have an option for OCI or PIO but at the end of the day you are giving up your citizenship no matter what. Technically you aren't an INDIAN anymore.

I asked this question for more of an emotional reason than practicality. Practically it is better to get the US citizenship, but then you are giving up your Indian citizenship.

I figured I'd give my two cents ...

The OCI card (OCI = Overseas CITIZEN of India) is actually a special 2 page passport, with a different color (light blue instead of the traditional dark blue). They also stamp a lifelong visa in your US passport (don't know why, but they do).

Check out a sample here:

http://chicago.indianconsulate.com/PDF_FORMS/OCICardandOCIvisasticker.pdf

(James Bond )

The Indian consulate calls OCI the "dual citizenship program"

You have the same rights an an Indian citizen, except you can't buy agricultural land. Don't think I will ever farm, not a big deal

Lastly, a piece of paper can't define your identity. You are who you are (Indian, USC, or both!)

I got my USC because of all the travel and immigration advantages noted by others. Not to mention, I can finally bring my wife over here. I have applied for the OCI "card" i.e. dual citizenship passport really. The only thing is that you have to "surrender" your regular Indian passport. They stamp it canceled, trim the corners of the cover and return it to you, just like an expired passport. $20 for the surrender certificate (what a terrible term! ) if you became a USC before May 31, 2010. $175 for more recent USCs (aka price gouging )

Check it out for yourselves:

http://chicago.indianconsulate.com/4PassportPioOci/OCI/OCI_How_To_Apply.html

I think becoming a USC with OCI is worth it, considering it means you don't have to deal with US Immi or Indian Immi ever again

Edited August 12, 2010 by missads