How to apply for citizenship under the new law?Key questions answered

Refugees from the Sindhi community from Pakistan celebrated in Bhopal on Monday after the Center notified CAA rules. PTI

New Delhi:

Non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan fleeing religious persecution can now seek Indian citizenship as the Center issues a notification over the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill. The Center has laid out a step-by-step procedure for applying for citizenship under the Act.

Who is eligible?

People from the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Zoroastrian or Christian communities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who entered India on or before December 31, 2014, can seek citizenship under the CAA.

where to apply

Application for Indian citizenship can be made online through the mobile application CAA-2019, which is also under development. The application will be submitted to the Empowerment Committee through a district level committee headed by a designated officer.

category

The online application process provides multiple categories under which applicants can seek Indian citizenship.These include: (i) Persons of Indian origin (ii) Persons married to Indian citizens (iii) Minor children of Indian citizens (iv) Persons whose parents are Indian citizens (v) Persons who satisfy one of the following conditions whose parents are independent Citizens of India (vi) Registration as an Overseas Citizen of India Card Holders (vii) Persons seeking citizenship by naturalization – Registration as an Overseas Citizen of India for five years and one year for adults who have resided in India for five years

Documents required

While applying for Indian citizenship under CAA, the applicant can submit any of the following documents: (i) Copy of passport issued by the government of Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan (ii) Birth certificate issued by the government agency of these countries (iii) Educational certificate Afghanistan, Bangladesh School/College/Board or University in the country or Pakistan (iv) Any type of identity document issued by the government authority of those countries (v) Residence permit issued by the Regional Registration Officer for Foreigners or the Foreigner Registration Officer of India (vi) Licenses issued by government authorities in any of these three countries (vii) Land or lease records in these countries (viii) Any documents showing that the applicant’s parents, grandparents or great-grandparents are or were citizens of these countries. In fact, any document issued by government authorities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan proving that the applicant is from these countries will be valid for citizenship proceedings. This applies even if the document has expired.

How to prove when applicant entered India

The applicant will also need to prove that he/she entered India before the deadline of December 31, 2014.

The required documents include: (i) Copy of visa and immigration stamp on arrival (ii) Registration certificate or residence permit issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer or Foreigner Registration Officer (FRO) in India (iii) Foreign Document issued by the Person Registration Officer (iv) License or certificate or permit issued by the Government of India (including driving license, Aadhaar card, etc.) (v) Ration card issued by the Government of India (vi) Any letter issued by the Government or Court to the applicant in India Applicant’s birth certificate with official seal (vii) Applicant’s birth certificate issued in India (viii) Land or lease record or registered lease agreement in the name of the applicant in India (ix) PAN card with date of issue (x) Any document issued by the Center or Certificate issued by the state government, PSU or other public authority (xi) Certificate issued by the elected member or officer of any rural or urban body (xii) Account details issued by bank (including private bank) or post office account (xiii) Insurance policy issued by an Indian company in the name of the applicant (xiv) Electricity connection documents or bills or other utility bills in the name of the applicant (xv) Court or tribunal records regarding the applicant (xvi) Documents showing the name of the applicant by Employment in India supported by Employees Provident Fund/General Provident Fund/Pension/Employees State Insurance Corporation (xvii) Graduation certificate issued by the applicant in India (xviii) Academic certificate issued by school, college or university or government agency (xix) Municipal Trade License (xx) Marriage certificate.

Application has been submitted, what’s next?

After application, the form will be reviewed by the district level committee. The committee will then inform the applicant via email/SMS of the date and time when they need to come in person with the original documents. If all goes well, the designated official will administer the “Oath of Allegiance” to the applicant. If anything is missing, the committee can ask the applicant to provide it. However, if the applicant fails to appear before the committee despite having a “reasonable opportunity”, the district committee may approach the Authorizing Committee to reject the application.

If the documents are complete, the designated official will certify online that the documents have been verified. The District Committee will also upload the Pledge of Allegiance and forward the application electronically to the authorization panel. The panel will then review the case and approve or deny the application.

How is a citizenship certificate issued?

Applicants will receive a digital certificate. An ink-signed copy of the certificate will be issued only if the applicant selects it during the application stage. The certificate has to be collected from the office of the Authorized Commission i.e. the office of the Director (Census Operations) of the concerned State/Union Territory. For those who obtain citizenship, they will be treated as Indian nationals from the date of entry into India.

What’s the fare?

A fee of Rs 50 needs to be paid online at the application stage. The government did not specify any other costs involved in the citizenship application process.