Q219. Travel on Indian Passport after acquiring foreign citizenship

Question: Hi There, I have got a question. I got my Australian citizenship in nov.,2010 but hasn't got aus passport. I am currently holding valid Indian passport so the question is would I be able to travel(planning in 2 weeks frm now) to India and comeback on Indian passport which has Permanent Residency Visa stamped on it valid till 2013. Kind Regards, Lalit

Answer: Having acquired Australian citizenship, you should have had your Indian passport canceled and taken a surrender certificate from the Indian Consulate in Australia. All Persons of Indian Origin, who have acquired foreign citizenship, are required to surrender their Indian passports to the nearest Indian Mission/Post within three months of their acquiring foreign citizenships. The three month period does not start when you get a Australian passport but from the date you acquired Australian citizenship. Traveling now on your Indian passport, would be illegal and result in penalties.