Baby born in Canada to Indian Parents

[NiSn]

We are a couple with Indian Citizenship and have a baby born in Canada. Whether to opt for Canadian Passport or Indian Passport is the biggest question. Can someone tell below

1) Option1 - Choosing Canadian Passport Now - In this case, we shall apply for OCI card for our baby immediately to be able to travel to India. In this case, suppose after 4-5 years we decide to move to India, then can our baby opt for Indian Citizenship? Or that is not possible? Do we need to register birth of baby with Indian consulate in this case or that is required only for applying passport of India?

1) Option2 - Choosing Indian Passport Now - In this case, the baby effectively cannot travel to India and come back to canada? Because Indian passport can allow him to travel to India, but for coming back to Canada, the baby wont have a VISA correct?

 

[PMM]

Hi

We are a couple with Indian Citizenship and have a baby born in Canada. Whether to opt for Canadian Passport or Indian Passport is the biggest question. Can someone tell below

1) Option1 - Choosing Canadian Passport Now - In this case, we shall apply for OCI card for our baby immediately to be able to travel to India. In this case, suppose after 4-5 years we decide to move to India, then can our baby opt for Indian Citizenship? Or that is not possible? Do we need to register birth of baby with Indian consulate in this case or that is required only for applying passport of India?

1) Option2 - Choosing Indian Passport Now - In this case, the baby effectively cannot travel to India and come back to canada? Because Indian passport can allow him to travel to India, but for coming back to Canada, the baby wont have a VISA correct?

1/ The child is a Canadian citizen and will require a Canadian passport to return to Canada.

 

[hawk39]

Option1 - Choosing Canadian Passport Now - In this case, we shall apply for OCI card for our baby immediately to be able to travel to India. In this case, suppose after 4-5 years we decide to move to India, then can our baby opt for Indian Citizenship? Or that is not possible? Do we need to register birth of baby with Indian consulate in this case or that is required only for applying passport of India?

Based on India's citizenship law pertaining to citizenship by descent under section 4, as well as Canada's citizenship law, your child cannot opt for Indian citizenship until age 18 because Canada does not allow parents to renounce citizenship for their children, and the earliest that a Canadian can apply to renounce his/her citizenship is at age 18. India does allow dual citizenship for children that acquired the foreign citizenship involuntarily, but the parent must register the child's birth within 1 year, and as a condition, the parent must affirm that the child does not have a foreign passport.

Option2 - Choosing Indian Passport Now - In this case, the baby effectively cannot travel to India and come back to canada? Because Indian passport can allow him to travel to India, but for coming back to Canada, the baby wont have a VISA correct?

Based on what their law says, that is the most logical conclusion because the child cannot hold another passport, and Canada requires its citizens to enter with a Canadian passport only. At age 18, India will require your child to decide which citizenship to keep. If he/she remains an Indian, then he/she will be required to renounce Canadian citizenship and will require a visa to enter Canada; if your child chooses to stay Canadian, then OCI will be the optimal choice if he/she wants to be able to freely travel to India.