Question regarding traveling to India after naturalization, but before OCI

[Holbytla]

I may have to travel to India very soon after naturalization as a US citizen (within a month of naturalization, and before I could get OCI status). Under these circumstances, what are my options?

1) Use my Indian passport to travel to India? (According to the Indian embassy website, one can travel for up to 3 months on one's Indian passport after obtaining US citizenship - does this mean you can enter India by just showing your Indian passport without needing a visa?)

2) Apply for OCI, but also concurrently apply for an Indian visa on my new US passport?

Anything else?
Thanks!

 

[SHJ]

Once you participate in the Oath Ceremony, and Naturalize you are an US Citizen.

so any travel past that moment can not/should not be using your old Indian Passports. You will get into serious trouble, and this idea should not even be contemplated. There are documented cases of people having to pay hefty fines, and also risk jail time.

Here are some options :

1. After your naturalization, apply for an expedited US Passport & then apply for Indian Visa thru Travisa (Entry Visa or Tourist Visa). Read up on what type of visa works for your travel plans.
Obviously, you will have to get Renunciation certificate from Indian Consulate, as part of getting any Consular/Visa service after you become US citizen.


2. If there is No time between your naturalization ceremony and travel date AND if travel cannot be extended out .......... Consider postponement of Naturalization.
In which case.. you are still a Indian Citizen and can continue to use your Indian passport till you take the Oath.
( However, once you decide to postpone the scheduled Ceremony, there may be a long wait period before you are part of the next one, as schedules of these vary.)

 

[ginnu]

I may have to travel to India very soon after naturalization as a US citizen (within a month of naturalization, and before I could get OCI status). Under these circumstances, what are my options?
---If after US Citizenship Interview you don't take oath or postpone oath you CAN use Indian Passport for Travel. If you take OATH then you are not Indian Citizen and your Indian passport cant be used for travel and if you use then you will face problems. If you take oath, get US passport then through Travisa you can apply Entry Visa and you should also get Renunciation certificate or surrender Certificate from Indian Consulate.
1) Use my Indian passport to travel to India?
(According to the Indian embassy website, one can travel for up to 3 months on one's Indian passport after obtaining US citizenship - does this mean you can enter India by just showing your Indian passport without needing a visa?)
---Wrong info. Where is the link of Indian Embassy?

2) Apply for OCI, but also concurrently apply for an Indian visa on my new US passport?
---You CAN do that
Anything else?
Thanks!

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