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Which passport to opt for Canadian born baby to Indian Parents

wink

Hero Member
May 25, 2021
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In summary, you are likely overthinking.
Would like to highlight one subtle, often overlooked, detail. If I am correct, OCI holder's rights can be changed anytime by the govt. even worse, it could be revoked. Yes, For simple reasons govt may not do that, but still there is a possibility. Point being, it is not just about voting rights or few inconveniences, there is a possibility (even if it is 1%) one might lose the right to visit or live in India. Govt can enact new laws. But a citizen's rights cannot be taken away so easily.
 

samdevban

Member
Apr 21, 2023
16
14
As for Canada is concerned, your child is a Canadian citizen, so there is no need for a visa. In other words, they won't issue any visa as it does not make sense.

If she decide to travel to Canada (while holding Indian passport), I would think it is similar to the situation many people in the forum discuss which is they took oath but left the country (for various reasons) before they could get the passport or citizenship certificate. If you search the forum, you would see many discussions regarding this scenario. What you would find answer to these question is that somehow one should show up at the Canada land border and provide some kind of proof (though you don't have the passport or citizenship certificate yet) that you are a citizen. My understanding is that the border official will try their best, with the info provided, to confirm you are a citizen indeed. In you daughter's case, she would have a birth certificate which should be a good enough proof to let her inside the country. But I am not sure whether you could do that every time. As you can guess, only way to show up at the Canada land border is via US and for that to happen one need to have a valid US visa to fly into the US.

One of the way, I could think of.
Thanks for the response @wink

My question is specific to air travel as land travel is not possible due to US visa requirement.

So, is there any limitations of the number of travel that can be done with Indian Passport + Canadian Birth certificate?

And if that's not a viable option, then shall we instead go for Canadian Passport + OCI, and then later once we move back to India she can easily get the Indian citizenship by renouncing the Canadian Passport? I can declare her birth to Indian consulate as I understand there's a requirement to do the same within 1 year of birth on foreign land.

Please help what shall be the best option, as we are not planning to get a PR/Citizenship and will move back to India in maybe 3-4 year horizon. So for the baby the primary education will still be happening in India.
 

wink

Hero Member
May 25, 2021
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My question is specific to air travel as land travel is not possible due to US visa requirement.

So, is there any limitations of the number of travel that can be done with Indian Passport + Canadian Birth certificate?
AFAIK, airlines won't let you board the flight without Canadian passport or Indian passport with Canadian visa. So flying into Canada is not possible, as I know. That's why I was highlighting the other option (flying into the US), but of course one need to get US visa first for that to happen.

she can easily get the Indian citizenship by renouncing the Canadian Passport?
Sorry, I don't know anything about the process or how easy or difficult to get Indian citizenship while holding a Canadian passport.
 

samdevban

Member
Apr 21, 2023
16
14
"AFAIK, airlines won't let you board the flight without Canadian passport or Indian passport with Canadian visa."

Not sure I understand correctly, but Do you mean they won't let my daughter board a flight with an Indian Passport having Canadian Visa? If so, why they shall not allow, the whole purpose of having a Canadian visa is to be able to enter Canada right?

Or do you mean that IRCC will not grant her a visa if she applies with her Indian passport?
 

Seym

Champion Member
Nov 6, 2017
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Do you mean they won't let my daughter board a flight with an Indian Passport having Canadian Visa
This situation cannot happen.
Canada only gives visas to foreign citizen.
Your Canadian daughter cannot get a Canadian visa on a non-Canadian passport.
 
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samdevban

Member
Apr 21, 2023
16
14
This situation cannot happen.
Canada only gives visas to foreign citizen.
Your Canadian daughter cannot get a Canadian visa on a non-Canadian passport.
Now that's a little confusing. So a minor having Indian Citizenship (by descent) and Canadian Citizenship (by birth), what sort of visa can she have?

Canada won't give visa because she is a Canada recognizes her as a Citizen despite having a Indian Passport. (She cannot renounce her Canadian Citizenship officially before 18 years).

Also, I believe she won't be getting Indian visa also, since she is Indian Citizen by descent.

Please help me here. We just want a good solution for her so that the transition from Canada to India is smooth once we move back to India permanently after 3-4 years before her primary educations starts.
 

wink

Hero Member
May 25, 2021
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Also, I believe she won't be getting Indian visa also, since she is Indian Citizen by descent.
Assuming you opt for Canadian passport (for her), then she would get Indian visa or OCI. I see no problem with that. Of course, there are few problems/situations while growing up in India with OCI status (like high education fees, etc).
 
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samdevban

Member
Apr 21, 2023
16
14
Assuming you opt for Canadian passport (for her), then she would get Indian visa or OCI. I see no problem with that. Of course, there are few problems/situations while growing up in India with OCI status (like high education fees, etc).
If that's true, then why is there a problem getting a Canadian Visa for an Indian Passport holder? An Indian visa is possible on Canadian Passport but a Canada Visa is not possible on an Indian Passport holder?

Sorry, I may not be fully knowledgeable on this but I just want to clear my doubt.
 

samdevban

Member
Apr 21, 2023
16
14
Because she is already a Canadian, no visa is required.
Yeah, but isn't she Indian as well due to her parents being Indian (citizen by descent)?

And if no visa required, can't she just use Indian Passport as travel document and Canadian birth certificate as identity/citizen proof?
 
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wink

Hero Member
May 25, 2021
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And if no visa required, can't she just use Indian Passport as travel document and Canadian birth certificate as identity/citizen proof?
Airlines at the Indian airports (or the airports in-between) don't have authority to bring someone to Canada based on birth certificate. That's why I said if you shows up at the border, CBSA authorities might let you in based on the birth certificate.
 
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CANADA-1

Hero Member
Jan 17, 2017
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Me and my wife are Indian citizens (hold Indian passports) currently staying in Canada both having a valid Canadian work permit. We are expecting a child to be born in November this year in Canada and would like to confirm on few points regarding citizenship of baby and its consequences.

1. Should we get Indian or Canadian passport for the baby, (as we want settle in India permanently and do not plan to come back to Canada). What are the pros and Cons of both these options?
2. If we choose Indian passport, will my child be able to reclaim the Canadian citizenship when he/she reaches 18 years of age?
3. If we choose to take Canadian passport, will he/she be able to claim Indian citizenship ever after based on parents having Indian citizenship?

I saw few related threads but could not get answers to all my queries. Please help
keep canadian passport you never know when new government back and not accept citizenship by birth in canada like most other country
indian parents have indian citizenship she/he eligible and live with oci in india after one years will apply any time indian citizenship so good idea keep canadian passport
 

akbardxb

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Nov 18, 2013
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There are 100s of 1000s of Indians who are applying for Canadian citizenship, but here's a case that has everything ready but is fine to deny the child their Canadian citizenship. Wouldn't it be simple to get the child a Canadian passport, get an OCI, and move back to India in your 3-4 years horizon? The child continues to live in India and enjoy all benefits that come with OCI and then when they turn 18, can take a call whether they want to stay Canadian or give it up and be OCI+voting rights+agricultural property.

Given the circumstances, if a British / Pakistani citizen, without any claim to Indian citizenship (Adnan Sami) can get Indian citizenship, anyone with Indian parents can.
 
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