Know The Detailed Procedure For Applying For Citizenship Under CAA

Now that the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act has been notified by the Center, non-Muslim migrants who are escaping religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan can apply for Indian citizenship. The Center has outlined the precise steps required for applying for citizenship under this legislation.

Eligibility

Individuals who came to India on or before December 31, 2014, from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh who belong to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, or Christian communities, are eligible to apply for citizenship under the CAA.

Apply here

Online applications are available at https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in for Indian citizenship. Additionally, CAA-2019, a mobile application, is being developed. Through the District Level Committee, which is led by a designated officer, this application will be submitted to an Empowered Committee.

The Categories applying for citizenship

The online application process provides multiple categories under which an applicant can seek Indian citizenship. These include:

(i) a person of Indian origin

(ii) a person married to a citizen of India

(iii) a minor child of an Indian citizen

(iv) a person whose parents are Indian citizens

(v) a person who or either of parents was a citizen of Independent India

(vi) a person registered as Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder

(vii) a person seeking citizenship by naturalisation – an adult registered as overseas citizen of India for five years, and who has been living in India for a year

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Documentation Required

The applicant can submit any of the following documents while applying for Indian citizenship under CAA:

(i) Copy of passport issued by Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan government

(ii) birth certificate issued by a government authority in these countries

(iii) educational certificate from a school/college/board or university in Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan

(iv) identity document of any kind issued by government authorities in these countries

(v) residential permit issued by Foreigners Regional Registration Officer or Foreigners Registration Officer in India

(vi) any licence issued by government authorities in these three countries (vii) land or tenancy records in these countries

(viii) Any document that shows that either of the parents or grandparents or greatgrandparents of the applicant is or had been a citizen of these countries. In effect, any document issued by a government authority in Afghanistan or Bangladesh or Pakistan to establish that the applicant is from either of these countries is valid for the citizenship process. This applies even if the document is past its validity period.

How To Prove When Applicant Entered India

Additionally, the applicant must demonstrate that they entered India prior to the December 31, 2014, deadline. The documents required for this include:

(i) copy of the visa and immigration stamp on arrival

(ii) registration certificate or residential permit issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) in India

(iii) a slip issued by the Census enumerators in India during surveys

(iv) government issued licence or certificate or permit in India (including driving licence, Aadhaar card etc.)

(v) ration card issued in India

(vi) any letter issued by the government or court to the applicant with official stamp (vii) birth certificate of the applicant issued in India

(viii) land or tenancy records or registered rental agreement in India in the name of the applicant

(ix) PAN card with the date of issue

(x) any document issued by the Centre or state government or PSUs or other public authority

(xi) certificate issued by an elected member of any rural or urban body or officer

(xii) account details issued by the banks, including private banks, or post office accounts in the name of the applicant

(xiii) insurance policies issued by companies in India in the applicant’s name

(xiv) electricity connection papers or bills or other utility bills in the applicant’s name

(xv) court or tribunal records in respect of the applicant

(xvi) document showing employment in India supported by Employees Provident Fund/ General Provident Fund/ Pension/ Employees’ State Insurance Corporation

(xvii) school-leaving certificate of the applicant issued in India

(xviii) academic certificate issued by a school or college or university or government institution

(xix) Municipality trade license

(xx) marriage certificate.

Whats the next step?

A committee at the district level will review the form after it has been submitted. The applicant will then receive notification from this committee via email or SMS regarding the day and time of the in-person visitation requirement along with original documentation. The designated officer will give the applicant a “oath of allegiance” if everything is in order. The committee has the right to request that the applicant provide anything that is missing. Nevertheless, the district committee may refer the application to the Empowered Committee for denial if the applicant fails to show up for the meeting in spite of “reasonable opportunities”.

The designated officer will online attest to the documents’ verification if they are in order. Additionally, the district committee will email the application in electronic form to the empowered panel and upload the “oath of allegiance”. After reviewing the case, this panel will decide whether to accept or reject the application.

How Will Citizenship Certificate Be Issued?

A digital certificate will be given to the applicant. Only if the applicant has requested an ink-signed copy of the certificate during the application process will one be provided. This certificate needs to be picked up from the Empowered Committee office, which is the Director (Census Operations) office for the relevant State or Union Territory. As of the date of their entry into India, those who have been granted citizenship will be regarded as Indian nationals.

How Much Does It Cost?

At the application stage, an online fee of ₹ 50 must be paid. There are no additional fees associated with the citizenship application process, according to the government.