CAA Move: Home Ministry launches web portal to apply for Indian citizenship

Following the enactment of rules governing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) by the government, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) launched a web portal on Tuesday to facilitate applications for Indian citizenship from individuals persecuted on religious grounds in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

The newly introduced web portal (accessible at https:/indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in) coincides with the MHA’s notification of the rules under CAA 2019, now referred to as CA 2024. These rules extend Indian citizenship to refugees belonging to six minority communities – Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians – who sought refuge in India before December 31, 2014.

Notably, the previous law required migrants to reside in India for ‘not less than 11 years’ to qualify for citizenship, a duration reduced to ‘not less than five years’ for eligible persecuted minorities under CAA.

According to the MHA’s annual report for 2021-22, a total of 1,414 individuals from these non-Muslim minority communities in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan were granted Indian citizenship through registration or naturalization under the amended Citizenship Act, 1955.

The original Citizenship Act of 1955 (57 of 1955) was instituted to regulate the acquisition and determination of Indian citizenship.

Against the backdrop of historical trans-border migration between India and the regions encompassing Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, millions of individuals of varied faiths from undivided India found themselves residing in what became Pakistan and Bangladesh post the 1947 partition.

A notable aspect is the designation of specific state religions in the constitutions of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, leading to persecution of individuals from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian communities on religious grounds.

The severity of persecution prompted many to seek refuge in India, albeit often with expired or incomplete travel documents, rendering them technically illegal migrants under previous legislation.

To address their plight, the Central government exempted these migrants from penalties under the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, and the Foreigners Act, 1946, while also granting them long-term visas.

However, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the government has extended eligibility for Indian citizenship to these persecuted non-Muslim migrants, specifying a cutoff date of December 31, 2014.

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) streamlines the citizenship acquisition process for migrants from these communities, enabling them to apply for Indian nationality, subject to prescribed conditions and procedures.

Notably, the CAA provides immunity to these migrants against any ongoing proceedings regarding their migration status or citizenship matters, facilitating their citizenship applications.

Furthermore, amendments to the Third Schedule of the Citizenship Act allow applicants from these communities to qualify for citizenship by naturalization after five years of residency, instead of the previous requirement of eleven years.

Importantly, the CAA safeguards the constitutional rights of indigenous populations in northeastern states covered under the Sixth Schedule and those in areas protected by the “Inner Line” system of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.

 

e-Tourist Visa Now Extended to 37 More Countries

With the extension of e-Tourist Visa Facility for 37 more countries, India’s online eTV is available for nationals of following countries/territories:
Albania, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Island, Chile, China, China- SAR Hongkong, China- SAR Macau, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d’lvoire, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Island, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Venezuela, Vietnam., Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Eligibility

  • International Travellers whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation , sight seeing , casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment or casual business visit.
  • Passport should have at least six months validity from the date of arrival in India. The passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer.
  • International Travellers should have return ticket or onward journey ticket,with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.
  • International Travellers having Pakistani Passport or Pakistani origin may please apply for regular Visa at Indian Mission.
  • Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders.
  • Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent’s/Spouse’s Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.
  • Not available to International Travel Document Holders.

    E-TOURIST VISA APPLICATION: How it Works?

    Step 1

    Apply online

    Upload Photo and Passport Page

    Step 2

    Pay visa fee onlineUsing Credit / Debit card

    Step 3

    Receive eTV Online

    eTV Will be sent to your e-mail

    Step 4

    Fly To India

    Print eTV and carry at the time of travel.