How to Get Indian Citizenship in India as a Foreigner (Nepali National Guide)

Did you know that over 1.6 million Nepalis live in India, many of whom dream of becoming Indian citizens? While India and Nepal share open borders and cultural ties, becoming a legal citizen of India as a foreigner involves following a precise process — governed by the Citizenship Act, 1955.

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🧭 Who is This Guide For?

This article is specially written for:

• 🇳🇵 Nepali nationals living in India
• Foreigners of Indian origin
• Individuals with long-term visas (LTV)
• Legal residents planning to settle in India permanently

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🔍 Key Takeaways

Topic	Summary
Citizenship Law	Governed by Citizenship Act, 1955
Best Route	Section 5(1)(a)/(c) – Citizenship by Registration
Timeline	1-8 years depending on eligibility
Ministry	Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
Process Type	Online + Local Verification + IB Verification

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📖 Legal Ways to Get Indian Citizenship (As a Foreigner)

India provides 5 legal pathways to citizenship:

1. By Birth
2. By Descent
3. By Registration
4. By Naturalization
5. By Incorporation of Territory

👉 For Nepali citizens, the most practical options are:

1. ✅ Citizenship by Registration – Section 5(1)(a)/(c)

You can apply if:

• You’ve lived in India for 7 years OR
• You are married to an Indian citizen and stayed in India for 7 years before applying

Required Stay: Minimum 7 years before application (with valid visa)

2. ✅ Citizenship by Naturalization – Section 6(1)

Applies if:

• You’ve resided in India continuously for 12 months, and
• Lived in India for 11 out of the previous 14 years

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📑 Documents Required for Indian Citizenship (2025 Updated)

Below is the list of essential documents:

Document	Mandatory
Valid Passport / Travel Document	✅
Proof of Residence (Aadhaar, Rent Agreement)	✅
Stay Proof for 7 years (LTV, RC, Visa Stamps)	✅
Marriage Certificate (if applying via spouse)	✅ (if applicable)
Birth Certificate (translated if in Nepali)	✅
Affidavit of Allegiance	✅
Passport-sized Photographs	✅
Language Declaration (under Schedule III)	✅
Character Certificate from Police	✅
Renunciation Certificate (after approval)	✅ (Post-approval)

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🌐 Citizenship Application Process in India (Online Portal Guide)

Follow this 8-step procedure to apply for Indian Citizenship in 2025:

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Visit MHA Citizenship Portal and select the appropriate form.

Step 2: Register/Login to the Portal

Create an account using your email and mobile number.

Step 3: Fill the Application Form

Choose Form III or VIA depending on your method (Registration/Naturalization).

Step 4: Upload Documents

Scan and upload all required documents. Ensure they are legally translated into English/Hindi if in Nepali.

Step 5: Pay the Fee

Current fee: ₹500–₹1500 (online payment).

Step 6: Print & Submit Offline Copy

After submitting online, print the form and submit it to the Collector/DM Office in your area.

Step 7: Police & IB Verification

Background check will be done by:

• Local Police Station
• Intelligence Bureau (IB)
• CID (in some states)

Step 8: Final Approval from MHA

If cleared, the MHA will issue Citizenship Certificate. You’ll need to renounce Nepali citizenship before oath.

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🌍 Special Note for Nepali Citizens: No Visa But Citizenship Is Not Automatic

Though Nepalese can stay in India without a visa due to the India-Nepal Friendship Treaty (1950), this does not grant automatic citizenship. Formal application is mandatory under Indian law.

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🤝 Advantages of Indian Citizenship

• Right to Vote and Contest Elections
• Indian Passport (Ranked 80 globally)
• Access to government jobs and welfare
• Full property rights
• No dependency on long-term visas

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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Submitting incorrect visa type
❌ Using fake documents
❌ Not attaching proper stay proof
❌ Skipping offline verification
❌ Not checking application status regularly

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If you’re residing in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, or Kolkata, you must submit documents to the District Magistrate (DM) Office of that city.

Example:
Delhi residents submit to Office of Deputy Commissioner (DC), Civil Lines.

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💬 FAQs:

Q1: Can a Nepali citizen become Indian citizen?

Yes, but only by applying formally under Section 5 or Section 6 of the Citizenship Act.

Q2: Is Nepali allowed dual citizenship with India?

No, India does not allow dual citizenship. You must renounce Nepali citizenship upon approval.

Q3: How long does the Indian Citizenship process take?

It typically takes 1–3 years, depending on clearance and verification.

Q4: Can I apply for Indian citizenship without passport?

yes, a valid passport or travel document is mandatory as proof of foreign nationality.
A. If Nationality of a person is Nepal/Bhutan then following are applicable:

1. In the Passport Particulars field of the application: Passport Country, Passport Number, Passport valid up to and Visa valid up to/RP valid up to fields are optional.

2. If you have a passport, then please enter the details.

3. If you don’t have a passport you may upload at least one of the following documents to show your Nepalese/Bhutanese nationality:-

S.No	For Nepalese National	For Bhutanese Subject
I.	Nepali citizenship certificate	Bhutanese citizenship certificate
II.	Voter ID card issued by Election Commission of Nepal	Voter ID card issued by Election Commission of Bhutan
III.	Limited validity photo identity certificate issued by Nepalese Mission in India	Limited validity photo identity certificate issued by Royal Bhutanese Mission in India
IV.	Photo ID issued by principal of the School for children in the age group between 10-18. (if accompanied by parents having valid travel documents)	Photo ID issued by principal of the School for children in the age group between 10-18. (if accompanied by parents having valid travel documents)

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🔚 Conclusion

Getting Indian Citizenship as a Nepali national is 100% possible, but it requires patience, legal proof, and clear documentation. India’s legal system allows naturalization and registration — you just need to follow the process sincerely. Once approved, you will be eligible for a new identity as an Indian citizen — with all rights and duties.

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🔗 Important Links

• Citizenship Rules PDF – MHA Official Site
• Long-Term Visa Process in India
• Sample Form

🔗 Important Links

• MHA Online Citizenship Portal
• Embassy of India in Nepal

OTHER Important Questions and answers:

1. I am a foreigner and want to acquire Indian citizenship. How and where
   should I apply to acquire Indian Citizenship?
   Reply: Please visit MHA website indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in. You may verify
   your eligibility under relevant provisions of Section 5 and Section 6 of the
   Citizenship Act, 1955 mentioned therein and fill relevant Form online, upload
   required documents and pay the prescribed fee.
2. Where should I submit hard copy of citizenship application Form?
   Reply: Printout of online filled application Form has to be submitted in the office
   of District collector/ District Magistrate /Deputy Commissioner(herein after
   referred as district Collector) of the area where the applicant is ordinarily resident.
   If the applicant is residing outside India, the printout of the application should be
   submitted to the Consular General of India.
3. How do I come to know about the progress/status of my citizenship
   application?
   Reply: You may verify status of your application on MHA website
   indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in. Furthermore, you would be intimated through email
   and SMS about the progress.
4. How much time will it take to acquire Indian citizenship?
   Reply: After the submission of application in the office of the District Collector,
   the same is processed as per Rule 12 of the Citizenship Rules, 2009 and as per the
   time framed indicated there. The Central Government/the competent authority
   disposes of the cases depending upon adequacy of submitted documents and
   availability of the security report.

5. I am unable to fill the Form in MHA website
   indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in. Whom should I contact for help?
   Reply: Please contact MHA helpdesk at email: support.ctznoci@mha.gov.in
6. How to pay the fee prescribed regarding citizenship application?
   Reply: After filling the online Form, the applicant is supposed to finally submit the
   application. Then, the applicant needs to upload relevant documents. Thereafter,
   the provision to pay the prescribed fee through SBI – e pay payment gateway will
   be enabled. Net banking, Debit and Credit Card facilities can be used to pay the fee
   amount. The applicant can pay fee by using any one of the three modes offered by
   SBI – e pay Payment gateway.
7. I am staying outside India. How do I pay the fee?
   Reply: Same as FAQ No.6. The fee is payable in Indian Rupees.
8. I am a Nepal origin person I do not have passport and visa. Can I apply
   online for acquiring Indian citizenship?
   Reply: In absence of passport, you have to upload online, either a Nepali
   citizenship certificate or voter ID card issued by Election Commission of Nepal or
   limited validity photo identity certificate issued by Nepalese Mission in India or,
   photo ID issued by principal of the School for children in the age group between
   10-18 if accompanied by parents having valid travel documents, and fill the form.
9. I am a Bhutan origin person I do not have passport and visa. Can I
   apply online for acquiring Indian citizenship?
   Reply: In absence of passport, you have to upload online, either a Bhutanese
   citizenship certificate or voter ID card issued by Election Commission of Bhutan
   or limited validity photo identity certificate issued by Royal Bhutanese Mission in
   India, or photo ID issued by principal of the School for children in the age group
   between 10-18 if accompanied by parents having valid travel documents and fill
   the form.
10. I have stayed outside India for 25 days in the 12 months before the date
    of application for Indian citizenship. Am I eligible to acquire Indian
    citizenship?
    Reply: The Central Government, if it is satisfied that special circumstances exist,
    may relax the requirement of residency period of twelve months before the date of
    application up to a maximum of thirty days for applications under Section 5(1)(a),
    5(1)(c), 5(1)(f), 5(1)(g) and 6(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955. An applicant may
    submit the details of special circumstances due to which he/she was unable to
    comply with the requirement of twelve months residency period before the date of
    his/her application.
11. I have my High School/ Matriculation/HSC certificate showing my date
    of birth and also have Aadhar Card. Can I submit these documents as proof
    of birth in India in place of ‘birth certificate’?
    Reply: It is mandatory to submit the documents specified in the statutory forms i.e.
    Form I to Form VIII. Alternate documents mentioned above are not acceptable.
12. I was born in India in 1990 and both my parents were foreigners at the
    time of birth. Am I a citizen of India by birth?
    Reply: No. For details you may refer to the provisions of Section 3 the Citizenship
    Act, 1955.
13. I am a foreigner and staying in India for more than 20 years. Am I not a
    citizen of India due to my continuous stay in India for such a long time?
    Reply: No. By mere long stay in India, one does not become citizen of India. The
    Citizenship of India can be acquired under any one of the following provisions of
    the Citizenship Act, 1955:-
    a) Citizenship by Birth – Section 3
    b) Citizenship by Descent – Section 4
    c) Citizenship by Registration – Section 5.
    d) Citizenship by Naturalization – Section 6
    e) Citizenship by incorporation of
    territory -Section 7
14. I do not have valid foreign passport and valid Visa/RP/ LTV. Can I
    apply for Indian citizenship?
    Reply: No. As per provisions of Section 5 and 6 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, an
    illegal migrant is not eligible to acquire citizenship of India. The term “illegal
    migrant” has been defined in Section 2(1)(b) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
15. I have received a letter/communication to submit additional/deficient
    documents. How and where should I submit these?
    Reply: Please upload these documents on the MHA website
    indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in against your file number and then submit hard copy
    of documents in the office of the District Collector of your area where you
    ordinarily reside.
16. I have received intimation that the Central Government has decided to
    grant me citizenship and I have been asked to submit original receipt of fee
    paid, photographs, signatures, duly filled Form X or XI or XII and the
    original copy of renunciation certificate. Where should I submit these
    documents?
    Reply: You must upload scanned copies of these documents on the MHA website
    indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in. However, you have to submit original of these
    documents, in the office of the concerned District Collector.
17. I have been issued in-principle acceptance letter and asked to renounce
    my Pakistani Nationality. But Pakistan Embassy is not issuing Renunciation
    Certificate. What should I do?
    Reply: Applicants belonging to Hindu/Sikh communities of Pakistan and
    Afghanistan, who have entered India on or before 31/12/2009 are permitted to
    submit affidavit in lieu of renunciation certificate and may refer to MHA circular
    dated 17/11/2014. Other applicants have to mandatorily submit renunciation
    certificate from the Embassy of their country.
18. My child is born outside India. How to register his birth with Indian
    Mission under Section 4 of the Citizenship Act, 1955?
    Reply: You may visit MHA website indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in and fill the
    required form for registration of birth. In case of further difficulty please contact
    the concern Indian Mission.
19. My child was born outside India 5 years ago. Can I register his birth in
    Indian Mission?
    Reply: Under special circumstances, birth of a minor can be registered by Head of
    Indian Mission even after one year of date of birth.
20. My child was born outside India but is now ordinarily resident in India.
    Can I register his birth in Indian Mission abroad?
    Reply: Same as FAQ no. 18 above.
21. My son aged 19 years was born abroad. Can he register his birth now in
    Indian Mission? How can he acquire Indian citizenship?
    Reply: Registration of birth under Section 4 of the Citizenship Act, 1955 is
    applicable only for minors. If a person has attained full age, he can apply for Indian
    citizenship under relevant provisions of Section 5 or 6 of the Citizenship Act,
    1955.
22. I was earlier Indian citizen and my minor child was also Indian citizen.
    Later on, my minor child has ceased to be an Indian citizen because I
    renounced Indian citizenship. How can my child resume Indian citizenship?
    Reply: On attaining full age, your child can apply for resumption of Indian
    citizenship under provisions of Section 8 of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and Rule 24
    of the Citizenship Rules, 2009.