+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

Citizenship application - moving to India post applying in Canada - Questions

maskedtrader

Newbie
Feb 25, 2025
1
0
Hello everyone, my apologies for posting this question if it has already been answered in the forum in the past. However, I couldn't find any relevant thread with complete information I am hoping to find, so starting this new thread.

I and my spouse are Indian citizens residing in Canada as Permanent Residents. I should have applied for citizenship many years ago, however, been lazy so I am in this chaos now. We need to move back to India due to family responsibilities that require our support and attention for next 3-4 years. I am applying for citizenship this week and need a clear understanding of how our move back to India impacts the process.

I will finish the application by end of February and plan to move to India sometime in May. By my understanding, the citizenship application has following steps: application > test > oath > citizenship certificate > apply for Canadian passport. So I have the following questions:

Q1. Do I need to be present in Canada to complete the citizenship test or can I complete the test online from India?
Q2. Do I need to be present in Canada for the Oath or Can it be done online from India?

Assuming I have to travel to Canada for the Oath:
Q3. Would they require me to discard my PR Card on the Oath date?
Q4. After how much time would I receive my Citizen Certificate post the Oath date?
Q5. Can I travel back to India after taking Oath by using the Indian passport and then apply for Canadian passport from India?
Q6. If I can't apply for a Canadian passport from India - how long does it take to receive a Canadian passport post the Oath date assuming I am in Canada at the time of Oath?
Q7. Assuming I am getting my passport in Canada - how much time it takes to surrender my Indian passport & get a visa to travel back to India?
Q8. Can I apply for OCI after travelling back to India on a tourist visa?

Thanks all in advance to share your knowledge on this subject with me.
 

forw.jane

VIP Member
Apr 29, 2019
7,519
3,035
Hello everyone, my apologies for posting this question if it has already been answered in the forum in the past. However, I couldn't find any relevant thread with complete information I am hoping to find, so starting this new thread.

I and my spouse are Indian citizens residing in Canada as Permanent Residents. I should have applied for citizenship many years ago, however, been lazy so I am in this chaos now. We need to move back to India due to family responsibilities that require our support and attention for next 3-4 years. I am applying for citizenship this week and need a clear understanding of how our move back to India impacts the process.

I will finish the application by end of February and plan to move to India sometime in May. By my understanding, the citizenship application has following steps: application > test > oath > citizenship certificate > apply for Canadian passport. So I have the following questions:

Q1. Do I need to be present in Canada to complete the citizenship test or can I complete the test online from India?
Q2. Do I need to be present in Canada for the Oath or Can it be done online from India?

Assuming I have to travel to Canada for the Oath:
Q3. Would they require me to discard my PR Card on the Oath date?
Q4. After how much time would I receive my Citizen Certificate post the Oath date?
Q5. Can I travel back to India after taking Oath by using the Indian passport and then apply for Canadian passport from India?
Q6. If I can't apply for a Canadian passport from India - how long does it take to receive a Canadian passport post the Oath date assuming I am in Canada at the time of Oath?
Q7. Assuming I am getting my passport in Canada - how much time it takes to surrender my Indian passport & get a visa to travel back to India?
Q8. Can I apply for OCI after travelling back to India on a tourist visa?

Thanks all in advance to share your knowledge on this subject with me.
1. Online from outside Canada is allowed but do note it may trigger interview because of your absence from Canada for which you have to be in Canada.
2. In Canada
3. Yes
4. Within 5 days. In most cases comes within 24-48 hrs
5. Yes
6. There are options express, urgent with which you can get next day to 2-3 days too.
7. You can surrender in India too. If you doing in Canada you would need address proof. Would take 2-4 weeks based on BLS location.
8. You need to be in India on entry visa for 6 months after which you can apply for OCI.