Dilemma - Canadian Citizenship | To go for or not

[Rahul81]

Well when it comes to law compliance big or trivial does not matter. Now to respond how anyone will know. Say for instance if you travel with Indian passport in April even though you you are Canadian and have Canadian passport and you travel with Canadian passport next year to India. Your Canadian passport will have date of issue which will be before April and immigration officers are smart enough to catch you.

Don’t try to play with immigration officers in India. They r much smarter than some of highly equipped ones in North America.

 

[Rahul81]

I understand that, but why be on the wrong side of the system when you can be an OCI and enjoy most of the benefits of being a citizen?

I understand what you're saying if you had a country which didn't allow dual citizenship and provided no alternative.

I just don't see why you would take that risk. I wouldn't want to pay a $350 fine for nothing.

By the way fine is 350 dollar each visit and such act of smartness can put you on watch list every time you visit

 

[Islander216]

I'm sure they must confiscate the Indian passport as well, don't they?

 

[Rahul81]

They will cancel on the spot, rest I will not recommend going through this adventure

 

[Rahul81]

Aren't OCIs and Indian citizens taxed at the same rate?

Same tax rates for every one the issue is around some complex tax deduction under income tax act. Plus you need to to have permanent account number, there is concept of representative assessee. Plus if you don’t get that number you will be facing higher tax deductions. I think it’s more to do with your tax plannings and tax filings how you manage

 

[mpsqra]

Hi All

I am an Indian and have been in Canada for last 8 years; I am now eligible for applying Canadian citizenship. However, as Indians cannot hold any dual citizenship, i will have to let go of Indian citizenship if I proceed with Canadian and get an OCI. Thereby, I have some questions where I am hoping I can get some of your inputs which can help me make a decision. Please note, my wife is already a Canadian citizen and OCI holder.

Business
1. What is the process of registering a new startup or open a business in India for OCI holders?
2. Are there any privileges on loan or taxes or anything else in this regard?
3. Difference in loan rates for Indians and foreign nationals, for buying properties, apartments, cars, education loan etc.
4. Any additional expenses need to be borne in case I am Canadian citizen (OCI holder) for running a start-up.

Pension
1. Since I have worked in Canada for 8 years and would also work in future for few years, would I be eligible to get Pension from Canada if I retire in India ? As a Canadian citizen holding OCI

Job
1. For international markets like Singapore or Dubai, do Canadian citizens get any preference over Indian in terms of job or salary?
2. If I am employed with an Indian based firm, would there be any preference for onsite assignments as a Canadian citizen or Indian?

Dependent
1. If father applies for Canadian citizenship after birth of child, is it mandatory to put child's name also in the application? Can the child remain Indian when parents are Canadian.
a. During surrender of Indian citizenship, does the child also has to surrender his/her citizenship?
2. Let's say parents and child all are Canadians and after 5 years if one parent become Indian citizen then can Child become Indian or would it depend on both parents citizenship.
3. If one parent has to travel on Canadian passport to other country for work , if child is Indian, can he/she also get visa even being on Indian passport.
4. If both parents are Canadian and child born in India then can we apply for OCI for a child from India and how soon it needs to be renewed. What about OCI fees.

5. How easy is to get abroad visa for a kid on Indian passport. Any on arrival or no visa countries?
6. Is the child evaluated based on citizenship of both parents or his own?
7. If I continue to hold my Indian citizenship and travel to Germany or Dubai in future, can I make my wife as a dependent given she is Canadian? Any challenges?
8. Can I go abroad on Indian passport and make my wife dependent to me when she holds Canadian passport. ?

Education
1. What are the NRI fees from KG1 to 12th? In govt, central and private schools. Any reservations for foreign nationals and fees.
2. What are the competitive exams where NRIs will get reservation or may need to pay extra fees.
3. Graduation fees for engineering, MBBS, and all other courses.
4. Sports quota for Children with foreign nationality or Indian children with foreign parents.



Retirement
1. If I become Canadian citizen and leave Canada after few years forever, are there any formalities I need to do before leaving? Like inform government, any taxes, health or employment insurance etc?
2. For what all purposes is Passport mandatory in India?
3. What all are the formalities need to be completed in Canada when I declare that i will be staying in India for next 30 years.
4. Do I need to pay any hidden charges for anything in Canada if I leave for India after getting Canadian citizenship? Such as health insurance, job insurance , education or when I am away from Canada.

very simple, do not apply for canadian citizenship, you will be 30 years in India.

 

[fromhamilton]

Business
1. What is the process of registering a new startup or open a business in India for OCI holders?
Most probably none!
2. Are there any privileges on loan or taxes or anything else in this regard?
Most probably none!
3. Difference in loan rates for Indians and foreign nationals, for buying properties, apartments, cars, education loan etc.
Most probably none!
4. Any additional expenses need to be borne in case I am Canadian citizen (OCI holder) for running a start-up.
Most probably none!

Pension
1. Since I have worked in Canada for 8 years and would also work in future for few years, would I be eligible to get Pension from Canada if I retire in India ? As a Canadian citizen holding OCI
Most probably, yes

Job
1. For international markets like Singapore or Dubai, do Canadian citizens get any preference over Indian in terms of job or salary?
No that I am aware of, except that Canadian citizenship will help reach International markets faster as you don't need visa to enter...
2. If I am employed with an Indian based firm, would there be any preference for onsite assignments as a Canadian citizen or Indian?
If the project is in Canada or US, may be! Don't count on it...

Dependent
1. If father applies for Canadian citizenship after birth of child, is it mandatory to put child's name also in the application? Can the child remain Indian when parents are Canadian.
No
a. During surrender of Indian citizenship, does the child also has to surrender his/her citizenship?
Yes if the child acquires Canadian citizenship
2. Let's say parents and child all are Canadians and after 5 years if one parent become Indian citizen then can Child become Indian or would it depend on both parents citizenship.
Child does not automatically become Indian, the process has to be followed
3. If one parent has to travel on Canadian passport to other country for work , if child is Indian, can he/she also get visa even being on Indian passport.
Yes
4. If both parents are Canadian and child born in India then can we apply for OCI for a child from India and how soon it needs to be renewed. What about OCI fees.
Yes, if Child becomes Canadian, you can apply for OCI, there is no fee waiver as far as I know...

5. How easy is to get abroad visa for a kid on Indian passport. Any on arrival or no visa countries?
The usual easiness
6. Is the child evaluated based on citizenship of both parents or his own?
At least one of the parents
7. If I continue to hold my Indian citizenship and travel to Germany or Dubai in future, can I make my wife as a dependent given she is Canadian? Any challenges?
Yes for dependent, no for challenges, the consulate might ask a question or two...
8. Can I go abroad on Indian passport and make my wife dependent to me when she holds Canadian passport. ?
You marital status has nothing to do with citizenship

Retirement
1. If I become Canadian citizen and leave Canada after few years forever, are there any formalities I need to do before leaving? Like inform government, any taxes, health or employment insurance etc?
You might have to file tax returns, no to everything else...
2. For what all purposes is Passport mandatory in India?
Nothing, PAN and Adhar are the sought documents...
3. What all are the formalities need to be completed in Canada when I declare that i will be staying in India for next 30 years.
If you are PR, you might lose it. If you are citizen, nothing
4. Do I need to pay any hidden charges for anything in Canada if I leave for India after getting Canadian citizenship? Such as health insurance, job insurance , education or when I am away from Canada.
Only tax man is interested in you, others don't care...


Foot note:
If you think 30 years into future & worry about 200 things that can possibly go wrong, you better cling to your Indian citizenship

 

[arunmanian]

Aren't OCIs and Indian citizens taxed at the same rate?

Yes, OCI and Indian Citizens are taxed at the same rate for salaried class.