singapore
High Commission of India
Singapore

Renunciation of Citizenship/Surrender Certificate

Renunciation of Citizenship/Surrender Certificate

Standard Documents for all Passport Related Services:

Documents required for Renunciation of Citizenship : Following documents are required to be submitted along with the RC/SC form, which can be registered online via the following link https://embassy.passportindia.gov.in/. A print-out of the registered application form, along with one recent coloured photograph with white back ground, size (51mm x 51mm) and taken within the last 6 months, duly signed in the appropriate column, a copy of the existing (or expired) Indian Passport, valid residential status proof (NRIC/EP/SP/DP/WP) in Singapore (along with validity page), are required to be submitted, with the originals produced for verification, if asked for.  

For fee details for various services, please click on the ‘Passport & Consular’ or the ‘Download Centre’ tab at the top of the HCI website homepage, and select the required option from the drop-down menu.

Processing times for RC/SC services are between 6-8 working days.

Photograph Requirements

Photograph Guidance for Applicants (pdf) 

Renunciation of Citizenship/Surrender Certificate

Application for Change of Citizenship should be submitted in person at any of the Passport Application Centres authorized by the High Commission (managed by M/s BLS International)

Documents required: The Surrender certificate application form can be registered online via the following link https://embassy.passportindia.gov.in/

You would also require:

  • A recent colour photograph of size 2inch X 2 inch (51 X 51 mm) with a white background, taken within the last 6 months.
  • Existing Indian Passport
  • Identity Card (NRIC&REP/EP/SP/DP/WP) for Singapore (along with the validity page), and photocopies of these documents.
  • Letter from ICA (For Singapore Citizenship), or Citizenship Certificate from the country concerned.

Change of Citizenship

The Constitution of India does not permit holding of dual nationality by Indian nationals. As and when an Indian national obtains a foreign nationality/citizenship, he/she is not permitted to retain his/her Indian Passport and has to surrender his/her passport.

On acquisition of foreign citizenship, all Indian nationals should surrender the passport (if acquired before 31/05/2010) or renounce citizenship (after 31/05/2010).

Minors who have acquired citizenship (including Certificate of Citizenship) and have obtained a foreign passport must surrender their passport (if acquired before 31/05/2010) or renounce citizenship (if acquired after 31/05/2010). 

Renunciation of Indian nationality is irrevocable and due care must be exercised in making an application. Applications are to be made to the High Commission's authorised outsourced agents (M/s. BLS International). You will also be required to be interviewed at the High Commission. Please submit your request in the prescribed form for renunciation of your Indian citizenship, together with your passport and a copy of the letter from the Singapore authorities stating that you have been offered Singapore citizenship. Please bring the original letter from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority for verification.

Minors acquiring Singapore Passports also have to cancel their Indian Passports. Indian nationals acquiring citizenship from countries other than Singapore have to bring their passport for cancellation with documentary proof for acquisition of citizenship of the country concerned.

Your request will be processed in five working days, inclusive of an interview in the High Commission. Relevant entries for renunciation will be made in the Indian passport database. You will then be given a letter stating that your Indian passport has been cancelled and that you are no longer an Indian citizen. Your cancelled passport will also be returned to you so that you can get any relevant visas transferred on to your Singapore passport from the respective embassies.

A mandatory penalty would be imposed if a person (including a minor), after acquisition of foreign nationality, retains the Indian passport beyond three years or travels on it beyond the grace period of three months, on a passport whose final validity expired on or after 01/01/2005.

This service can be applied for, at the outsourced service agents (M/s. BLS International)

After you receive your Singaporean passport, you may apply for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Certificate, to obtain a life-long visa for India.