Q.767 Canadian Law and OCI

Question: Hi Dear, I am so glad to find this excellent website. I am sure you could answer my question. I am Canadian Citizen and I have OCI as well. I was not willing to get OCI but under pressure from my husband, I applied for an OCI. Is it going to be considered as my dual citizenship by the Canadian Authorities? I need a clarification, If something happens to me in India, do you think that Canadian Authorities are going to provide any assistance to me in case of emergencies? Or if some laws change in Canada regarding citizenship, Is it going to effect me ? Thanks Taranjit Answer: OCI is NOT dual citizenship. Even with OCI you will remain a Canadian citizen and even if the citizenship laws of Canada change sometime in future, you need not worry about losing your Canadian citizenship as such laws would probably apply to new applicants for citizenship and not to those who are already Canadian citizens. Despite having OCI ( a lifelong Indian visa) you will always travel on a Canadian passport as a Canadian citizen, you should be able to get the same assistance in case of an emergency in India as any other Canadian citizen who does not have OCI. Canadian citizens who travel abroad for extended time or live abroad can register their contact information with the Canadian authorities online so they can be contacted in case of emergency situations. The link to the registration page is: http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration In case you are interested, services offered by Canadian consular officials as well as the type of situations where consular officials cannot offer assistance are listed on the Canadian government website, a link is provided here: http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/publications/bon- voyage-but In the event you wish to cancel your OCI, you can do so by submitting your intent to renounce OCI in From XXII to the Indian Mission/Post where your OCI was granted. To view a sample of the renunciation form click HERE