Indian citizenship renunciation has increased, driven by the promise of global opportunities, mobility, and lifestyle advantages.
According to official data, over one million Indians take up passports of other countries, with the pace sustaining above two lakh per year since 2022.
Read: Millionaires in Dubai – What Makes the City a Global Hub for the Rich?
Table of contents
Indians Renouncing Citizenship – Five-Year Data
| Year | Indians Renouncing Citizenship |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 85,256 |
| 2021 | 1,63,370 |
| 2022 | 2,25,620 |
| 2023 | 2,16,219 |
| 2024 | 2,06,378 |
| Source: | Ministry of External Affairs |
Top Destinations for Indians Renouncing Citizenship
The US, Canada, UK, and Australia remain the major destinations for those giving up Indian citizenship. Here’s a breakdown from recent years:
| Country | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 16,990 | 21,340 | 13,518 | 23,533 | 40,377 | 16,125 |
| Canada | 19,714 | 25,381 | 17,093 | 21,597 | 60,139 | 17,993 |
| Germany | 2,122 | 2,157 | 2,152 | 2,381 | 3,179 | 1,372 |
| Italy | 5,227 | 3,833 | 2,312 | 5,986 | 3,839 | 2,620 |
| Netherlands | 675 | 728 | 1,121 | 2,187 | 2,345 | 1,492 |
| New Zealand | 4,413 | 4,123 | 2,116 | 4,437 | 7,911 | 1,882 |
| Ireland | 620 | 564 | 357 | 439 | 1,192 | 666 |
| Singapore | 2,344 | 2,241 | 2,289 | 2,516 | 2,695 | 1,126 |
| Spain | 607 | 718 | 1,080 | 1,595 | 2,241 | 1,032 |
| Sweden | 927 | 867 | 1,046 | 1,841 | 1,970 | 1,880 |
| United Kingdom | 16,761 | 14,309 | 6,489 | 14,637 | 21,457 | 9,815 |
| USA | 57,603 | 61,683 | 30,828 | 78,284 | 71,991 | 28,230 |
| Source | Rajya Sabha Session, 2023. |
5 Reasons Why Are Indians Renouncing Their Citizenship?
- Mobility: Access to visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to the EU, UK, and US.
- Security: A safety net in times of political or economic upheaval.
- Opportunity: Top-tier education, global jobs, and healthcare access.
- Tax Planning: Easier wealth and succession planning for HNIs.
- Family Futures: Easier student admissions, inheritance, and retirement for dependents.
Recent Trends and Migration Patterns
- In 2024, India saw 206,378 citizenship renunciations,
- The USA and UAE each hosted 17% of Indian emigrants, with notable flows to Canada, Australia, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Germany, New Zealand, and Singapore.
- India remains the world’s largest source of migrants (18.5 million in 2024) and the world’s largest diaspora.
- The total overseas Indian population, including PIOs and NRIs, is over 34.3 million.
Popular Residency Programs Among Indians
Indians are eyeing pathways like:
- Australia National Innovation Visa
- UAE Residence by Investment
- Portugal Golden Residence Permit
- US EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
- Canada Start-Up Visa, and others
Indian’s Global Ambitions
Steady growth in migration and renunciation of Indian citizenship reflects aspirations for better global mobility, security, and access to world-class opportunities. The USA, UAE, Canada, Australia, and the UK draw the highest numbers, and the global Indian diaspora continues to shape the world’s economic and professional landscape.
Also Read