An Indian 23-year-old IT engineer earning around 1 lakh per month sparked discussions on Reddit about his plans. He feels inferior to his friends pursuing higher studies abroad and questions whether staying in India is better than settling abroad.

There has been a growing interest among Indians in renouncing citizenship to settle abroad. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), 1.75 million (1075000) Indians voluntarily surrendered their passports between 2011 and June 2023. From Antigua & Barbuda, Brazil, Iceland, and the Vatican to the US, UK, France, and Germany, Indians have given up citizenship to immigrate to about 135 countries worldwide.

Currently, India does not have a dual citizenship policy. Dual Citizenship is not permitted as per the provisions of Article 9 of the Constitution of India read with Section 9 of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

As per the information available with the Ministry, the number of Indians who renounced their Indian citizenship was 1,63,370 (in 2021); 2,25,620 (in 2022) and 2,16,219 (in 2023), 87,026 (till June, 2023)

For reference purposes, data was 1,22,819 (in 2011); 1,20,923 (in 2012); 1,31,405 (in 2013); 1,29,328 (in 2014); 1,31,489 (in 2015); 1,41,603 (in 2016); 1,33,049 (in 2017); 1,34,561 (in 2018); 1,44,017 (in 2019); 85,256 (in 2020).

The data shows that in 2019, 1,44,017 Indians renounced their citizenship while the number grew to a record high in 2022 and till June 2023, nearly 87,026 had surrendered their Indian passport.

The highest number of people surrendering their Indian passports was in 2022 when 2,25,620 Indians adopted foreign citizenship for opportunities abroad.

Country where Indians renounced Indian Citizenship in 2022

USA: 71991
Canada 60139
Australia 40377
United Kingdom 21457
New Zealand 7911
Italy 3839
Germany 3179
Netherlands 2345
Singapore 2695
Sweden 1970

However, according to the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2023, India’s wealth exodus has decreased to 3rd place after the UK, with only 4,300 millionaires expected to leave the country in 2024.

Indians Abroad

The number of Indian nationals exploring the global workplace has been significant in the last two decades. The MEA reported that around 13 million Indian nationals, including labourers, professionals, and experts, are currently living abroad, according to information shared with the parliament.

Many of them have chosen to take up foreign citizenship for reasons of personal convenience. There are no restrictions on Indian nationals travelling to foreign countries for employment. Some of them settle down in their country of employment and acquire foreign nationality for personal reasons.

Number of Indians Working Abroad

United Arab Emirates 35.54 lakh
Saudi Arabia 22.19 lakh
Kuwait 8.29 lakh
Qatar 8.00 lakh
Oman 5.30 lakh
(top 5 nations, approx.)

Overseas Citizen of India

The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme was introduced by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955 in August 2005. The Scheme provides for registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) of all Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who were citizens of India on 26th January, 1950 or thereafter or were eligible to become citizens of India on 26th January 1950.

OCI is not to be misconstrued as ‘dual citizenship’. OCI does not confer political rights. The registered Overseas Citizens of India shall not be entitled to the rights conferred on a citizen of India under Article 16 of the Constitution.

A registered Overseas Citizen of India is granted multiple entry, multi-purpose, life-long visa for visiting India, he/she is exempted from registration with Foreign Regional Registration Officer or Foreign Registration Officer for any length of stay in India, and is entitled to general ‘parity with Non-Resident Indians in respect of all facilities available to them in economic, financial and educational fields.

As of 31st January 2022, nearly 40.68 lakh OCI registration cards were issued.

Also read: American EB-5 Visa: A popular pathway to US permanent residency for Indian investors