Finally we have it. The CGI Toronto started processing applications.

Quote:

---

Overseas Citizenship



Registration as Overseas Indian Citizens

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2003

The Parliament of India has enacted The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2003. This further amends the Citizenship Act, 1955 and provides for Overseas Indian Citizenship.

A copy of the The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2003 of India can be seen at

http://rajyasabha.nic.in/legislative/amendbills/XXXIX_2003.pdf

Scheme

According to Section 7A (1) of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003, the Central Government may, subject to such conditions and restrictions including the condition of reciprocity as may be prescribed, on an application made in this behalf, register any person as an Overseas Citizen of India if:-

that person is of Indian origin of full age and capacity who is a citizen of a specified country; or
that person is of full age and capacity who has obtained the citizenship of a specified country on or after the commencement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003 and who was a citizen of India immediately before such commencement; or
that person is a minor of a person mentioned in clause (a) or (b).
Explanation: For the purpose of this Section the expression "person of Indian origin’ shall mean a citizen of another country who:-

was eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of the commencement of the Constitution:
belonged to a territory that became part of India after the 15th day of August 1947; and
the children and grand-children of a person covered under clauses (i) and (ii), but does not include a person who is or had been at any time a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.
Application Forms

Under the Citizenship (Second Amendment) Rules, 2004, the following application forms have been prescribed for registration as "Overseas Citizens of India" under the Citizenship Act 1955 as amended from time to time:-

Form XIX for Registration under Section 7(A)(1)(a) available at http://www.mha.nic.in/citizenship/forms/citi_form-19.pdf

For a person of Indian origin who became a citizen of Canada before the commencement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2003 on 7th January, 2004



Form XIX A for Registration under Section 7(A)(1)(b) available at http://www.mha.nic.in/citizenship/forms/citi_form-19a.pdf

For a person who obtained citizenship of Canada on or after the commencement of the Citizenship ( Amendment ) ACT 2003 on 7th January, 2004 and was a citizen of India immediately before such commencement.



Form XIX B for Registration under Section 7(A)(1)(c) available at http://www.mha.nic.in/citizenship/forms/citi_form-19b.pdf

For a minor of the person who is required to fill either Form XIX or Form XIX A

Note: An application for registration of a minor child of overseas citizen of India under Section 7(A)(1)(c) shall include the following particulars, namely :-

a statement whether the applicant is a parent or guardian of the child and if he is a guardian, how he became the guardian;
a statement showing whether the child was adopted by the applicant and if so, documentary evidence to this effect;
a statement indicating reasons for which the child is required to be registered as an overseas citizen of India.
The documents

The documents required are as follows :

1. The application form in triplicate
2. Canadian passport + 3 photocopies of first page
3. Indian passport ( expired ) + 3 photocopies of 1st and 2nd pages
4. Three photographs
5. Original landing paper + 3 photocopies

The original documents ( passports and landing paper ) are returned to the applicant the same day.


Procedure

Persons of Indian-Origin holding Canadian passports can apply for registration as Overseas Citizens of India by presenting the duly completed application forms and the documents listed above in person at the Consulate-General's office during normal working hours. The Consular Officer who will receive the applications is the one who will sign the Form in Witness and in Affirmation of Oath of Allegiance. There is thus no need to go to someone else for this.

Fees

The prescribed fee for registration is US$ 275 ( payable by bank draft/ certified cheque/ money order : in the name of "Consulate-General of India, Toronto ". This includes a non-refundable fee of US$ 25. In the event of the application for registration as Overseas Citizen of India not being accepted, a sum of US$ 250 shall be refunded to the applicant. The fees is acceptable in US$ only.

Registration Certificate

All applications for registration as an Overseas Indian Citizen will be processed in India. The concerned authorities would take about 4 months (only indicative) to issue the Registration Certificate which would be valid for life unless renounced/cancelled.

Overseas Citizen of India Passport

The Registration Certificate will form the basis for the issue of the Overseas Citizen of India Passport. Modalities in this regard are being evolved.

Details

Detailed information about the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2003 and the Citizenship (Second Amendment) Rules 2004 is available on the http://www.mha.nic.in/citi.htm.

PIO Cards

The scheme relating to the PIO Cards will continue to be in operation at the same time as Overseas Citizen of India Passport scheme. PIO cardholders will have the option to apply for an Overseas Citizen of India Passport. To obtain an Overseas Citizen of India Passport, PIO cardholders will have to apply for the registration process as above like other PIOs.

Countries

Persons of Indian Origin residing in the following 16 countries are eligible for Overseas Indian Citizenship:

Australia
Canada
Finland
France
Greece
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Netherlands.
New Zealand
Portugal
Republic of Cyprus
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom; and
United States of America.

---

-----------------------------------------------------------------
A Proud Indian Canadian

GG,

Cant see your post. After posting second post everybody can see first post of new page.

Please look into and correct the code.

Thanks

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Kap

From the above it seems that a person applying for registration has to have a canadian passport, which is usual, but not necessary in every case. There are many canadians (like many Indians) who do not have a Canadian passport. Also, a person like me, who has recently got citizenship, do not want apply for passport till I really need it (I do not plan to travel for another year or so, so why should I spend money today?)

They should have rather asked for foreign citizenship certificate - but I suppose those framing the rules (or penning it down) couldn't think of any other proof of citizenship.

Chandresh

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Chandresh

Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!