A child born to a couple, out of whom one is an Indian and other is British at the time of birth of the

child, the best option is not to go for UK passport + OCI but to go for Indian passport . . . by Amit

Sir, just trying to lend an helping hand to the service you are doing to NRIs I would like to mention that for British NRIs/PIOs- a child born to a couple, out of whom one is an Indian and other is British at the time of birth of the child, the best option is not to go for UK passport + OCI but to go for Indian passport + Right of Abode in the UK Certificate of Entitlement. This gives the child the best of two worlds. Right of Abode certificate is irrevocable despite one's stay outside the UK for any length of time (unlike Indefinite Leave to Return) and it is like British citizenship without British passport (and with an Indian passport). The only flip side is that you can not apply for British passport (untill you get your Right of Abode Certificate cancelled on your passport) which offers you a tourist visa-less ride across the world but I think it is still worth forgoing British passport for full rights in India as an Indian citizen. Plus, Indians being Commonwealth citizens get right to vote and even contest elections automatically in the UK, if they have no time limit attached to their stay. Why I am saying this is because once a foreign citizen a child can not become an Indian citizen unless both the parents are Indian nationals or unless they are 18. But an Indian child born to a British parent can apply for a British passport any time. It is like one way road. Transition from an Indian passport to a British passport is smooth but the from a British passport to an Indian one is laden with many roadblocks. Moreover, this always leaves an emotional link with India in the minds of young ones. Even if they take up UK passports when they grow up they will always remember that they were Indians at some point of time and filling up visa applications, they will always have to fill up 'Indian'in the section asking for "Previous Nationalities held". Please advise this to the UK NRIs/PIOs, if you like my humble suggestion. Truly, Amit Added Dec 28, 2012 Most of British Indians aren't aware about this option. Actually, many are totally unaware of the nationality laws. I even know a newly married Brit-Indian waiting for naturalization of his Indian wife as a British citizen before trying for having a baby. He did not know that his child would be a British citizen because he is a British citizen. Also, I want people who are eager to maintain a link with their native land while living in Britain to know about this option. Moreover, I find it more practical. As India and China are the economies of the future. When children born today grow up 20-25 years later, Indian economy may hold more lucrative job opportunities for them. Then returning to India as an Indian Citizen would be much more advantageous than returning as a half Indian (read Overseas Citizen of India). Also, if parents of such people decide to return to India when they are growing up, even then the kids would find it easier and cheaper to study in India with full citizenship rights. Moreover, the rights of the child in the UK are not being affected as they have right of abode. Couples with different nationalities should always thoroughly go through nationality laws of their respective countries when expecting babies to give their children best available option. I hope my suggestions can be of some good use to some British Indians.

Readers View Point - NRIs Returning to India - Express yourself! This page is provided for readers to express their opinions and share their experiences on settling in India. Postings on this page are opinions sent to us by visitors to this website. Material posted on this page are emails sent to this website and are not edited in any way. Articles are solely the opinions of the senders. Please spell check before sending your email, this website is a one man operation and I cut and paste emails as received. The intent of this page is not to create controversy, agree or disagree but to provide a forum for an exchange of ideas and thought provoking articles. Letters received will be published here with your name but your email address will not be published. Emails may be sent to viewpoint@nriinformation.com

Disclaimer: Information provided is for general knowledge only and should not be deemed to be professional advice. For professional advice kindly consult a professional accountant, immigration advisor or the Indian consulate. Rules and regulations do change from time to time. Please note that in case of any variation between what has been stated on this website and the relevant Act, Rules, Regulations, Policy Statements etc. the latter shall prevail. © Copyright 2006 Nriinformation.com

NRI - OCI - PIO Guide & Information

A child born to a couple, out of

whom one is an Indian and other is

British at the time of birth of the

child, the best option is not to go for

UK passport + OCI but to go for

Indian passport . . . by Amit

Sir, just trying to lend an helping hand to the service you are doing to NRIs I would like to mention that for British NRIs/PIOs- a child born to a couple, out of whom one is an Indian and other is British at the time of birth of the child, the best option is not to go for UK passport + OCI but to go for Indian passport + Right of Abode in the UK Certificate of Entitlement. This gives the child the best of two worlds. Right of Abode certificate is irrevocable despite one's stay outside the UK for any length of time (unlike Indefinite Leave to Return) and it is like British citizenship without British passport (and with an Indian passport). The only flip side is that you can not apply for British passport (untill you get your Right of Abode Certificate cancelled on your passport) which offers you a tourist visa-less ride across the world but I think it is still worth forgoing British passport for full rights in India as an Indian citizen. Plus, Indians being Commonwealth citizens get right to vote and even contest elections automatically in the UK, if they have no time limit attached to their stay. Why I am saying this is because once a foreign citizen a child can not become an Indian citizen unless both the parents are Indian nationals or unless they are 18. But an Indian child born to a British parent can apply for a British passport any time. It is like one way road. Transition from an Indian passport to a British passport is smooth but the from a British passport to an Indian one is laden with many roadblocks. Moreover, this always leaves an emotional link with India in the minds of young ones. Even if they take up UK passports when they grow up they will always remember that they were Indians at some point of time and filling up visa applications, they will always have to fill up 'Indian'in the section asking for "Previous Nationalities held". Please advise this to the UK NRIs/PIOs, if you like my humble suggestion. Truly, Amit Added Dec 28, 2012 Most of British Indians aren't aware about this option. Actually, many are totally unaware of the nationality laws. I even know a newly married Brit-Indian waiting for naturalisation of his Indian wife as a British citizen before trying for having a baby. He did not know that his child would be a British citizen because he is a British citizen. Also, I want people who are eager to maintain a link with their native land while living in Britain to know about this option. Moreover, I find it more practical. As India and China are the economies of the future. When children born today grow up 20-25 years later, Indian economy may hold more lucrative job opportunities for them. Then returning to India as an Indian Citizen would be much more advantageous than returning as a half Indian (read Overseas Citizen of India). Also, if parents of such people decide to return to India when they are growing up, even then the kids would find it easier and cheaper to study in India with full citizenship rights. Moreover, the rights of the child in the UK are not being affected as they have right of abode. Couples with different nationalities should always thoroughly go through nationality laws of their respective countries when expecting babies to give their children best available option. I hope my suggestions can be of some good use to some British Indians.

RI Information

Informing educating and connecting Indians across the globe