If you’ve become an Australian citizen, you’ll need to formally renounce your Indian citizenship. India doesn’t allow dual citizenship, so it’s not optional.
Once your Australian citizenship goes through, the next step is to surrender your Indian passport and get the official Renunciation Certificate. That certificate is your proof that Indian citizenship has been relinquished.
Get this wrong and it can hold up your OCI card or Indian visa later. That’s why most people get their documents checked before submitting.
Kritin Global provides consultation and documentation guidance to help applicants prepare their renunciation applications accurately and coordinate the transition to OCI services where required.
The process follows what the Government of India sets out. VFS Global handles it across Australia.
Renunciation can only be initiated after a foreign nationality has been formally granted.
Applicants must first obtain:
Once Australian citizenship is granted, the Indian passport must be surrendered through the renunciation procedure.
Applicants must complete the renunciation application on the official Indian citizenship portal.
Key steps include:
Double check everything before submission because modifications cannot be made once the online application is finalised.
After completing the online declaration, applicants must prepare the required documents for submission.
Typical documentation includes:
If you’ve lost your Indian passport, you’ll usually need to submit a statutory declaration explaining what happened.
Renunciation applications in Australia are submitted through VFS Global centres that manage Indian consular services.
Applicants may submit the application through:
Applicants may book an appointment at a VFS centre located in:
Original documents must be presented for verification.
Applicants may alternatively send their application by post to the appropriate VFS jurisdiction centre along with the required documents and payment.
VFS reviews the documentation and forwards the application to the relevant Indian mission for processing.
Renunciation applications involve government and service processing charges.
Indicative fees generally include:
If you got foreign citizenship after May 2010, the government renunciation fee is usually around AUD 147 plus ICWF fees. That’s before VFS service charges.
Always double-check the latest fees on the official VFS Global Australia site before you pay. They do change from time to time.
Once you’ve submitted, the Indian consulate will review your application.
Processing usually takes 30-60 days. It depends on document checks and how much backlog they have.
Once approved:
Once it’s approved, this certificate is your official proof that you’ve surrendered Indian citizenship.
There are a few rules you need to know before you start.
Once you’re an Australian citizen, you have to surrender your Indian passport through the renunciation process.
If you keep using it after that, you’re risking penalties under Indian passport rules.
Penalties may apply if an Indian passport is retained or used for travel after foreign citizenship has been acquired.
The penalty amount may increase depending on the number of times the passport was used after naturalisation.
Individuals intending to apply for an OCI card must first complete the renunciation process.
The Renunciation Certificate or passport surrender confirmation is required when submitting an OCI application.
For renunciation of Indian citizenship in Australia, these are some of the common mistakes applicants make which can be avoided.
You can’t start renunciation until you have the Australian Citizenship Certificate or passport. VFS will reject it if you only have the approval letter. Wait until you physically hold proof of citizenship.
Form XXI is for the application. Some applicants fill Form XXII by mistake – that’s actually the certificate issued after approval. Double-check you’re downloading Form XXI from the MHA portal.
Name spelling, DOB, and parents’ names must match exactly across your Indian passport, Australian citizenship certificate, and Form XXI. Even a middle name difference triggers verification delays.
Some people think getting Australian citizenship automatically cancels the Indian passport. It doesn’t. You must physically surrender it through this process. We have seen cases where people keep using it after getting Australian citizenship, which can lead to penalties under the Indian Passports Act.
If your Indian passport is lost, you need a police report + statutory declaration explaining the loss. Without this your application in most cases, gets rejected. VFS is strict on this.
VFS fees and mailing addresses change by jurisdiction. Sending payment to Sydney when you’re in Perth gets your application bounced back. Always check the VFS Australia portal for the correct centre before paying.
We walk you through the renunciation process for Australia.
For applicants planning to apply for an OCI card after renunciation, we assist with:
Where multiple family members are completing renunciation, we assist with:
Renouncing Indian citizenship means getting the paperwork and process exactly right with the government and VFS. If your application’s incomplete or has mistakes, it can delay your Renunciation Certificate and hold up your OCI application later.
We provide structured consultation for applicants across Australia seeking guidance on renunciation documentation, passport surrender requirements, and preparation for OCI eligibility.
If you’re posting documents, use a registered signed-for delivery post for your documents.
Connect with Kritin Global if you want us to check your documents or walk you through the process. You can book a consultation.
Do I have to renounce my citizenship if I become an Australian citizen?
Yes. India doesn’t allow dual citizenship, so you’ll need to formally renounce and hand back your Indian passport once you get your Australian citizenship.
How long does it take?
It usually takes 30-60 days after you submit through VFS Global. That said, it can be faster or slower depending on how long verification takes.
What happens to my Indian passport?
VFS cancels it during the process. You’ll get the cancelled passport back with your Renunciation Certificate.
Can I apply for OCI straight after renunciation?
Yes. Once you’ve got the Renunciation Certificate or passport surrender confirmation, you can lodge your OCI application.
Can Kritin Global submit the renunciation application for me?
Applications must be submitted through official VFS Global channels. Our team provides consultation, documentation review, and preparation guidance before submission.
