Comparatively, among the 135 countries where Indians pursued citizenship, New Zealand secured a modest sixth position, while the United States claimed the top spot
Australia is steadily emerging as the favored choice among Indians seeking a new homeland, particularly when it comes to obtaining citizenship. The year 2021 saw a notable surge in the number of Indians obtaining Australian nationality, with an impressive count of 23,533 individuals making this significant transition, as reported by rnz.co.nz.
Comparatively, among the 135 countries where Indians pursued citizenship, New Zealand secured a modest sixth position, while the United States claimed the top spot. Analyzing the statistics from previous years, it becomes evident that Australia has been consistently more appealing to Indians seeking citizenship. In 2019, the count of Indians gaining Australian nationality exceeded 21,000, while a mere 4,413 opted for Kiwi passports. Although the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic led to a decline in both countries in 2020, Australia managed to maintain its commendable second place.
The trend continued in 2021, with both Australia and New Zealand witnessing an upward trajectory in the acquisition of Indian citizens. A noteworthy 23,533 Indians opted for Australian citizenship, while a significantly smaller fraction chose to embrace Kiwi citizenship.
The Indian government reports a staggering figure of over 390,000 Indians surrendering their Indian passports over the past three years. It is important to note that India, like several other Asian nations, does not permit its citizens to hold dual nationalities
A glance at the 2018 census data reveals that New Zealand is home to approximately 240,000 individuals of Indian ethnicity. Within this demographic, about 80,000 are categorized as non-resident Indians (NRIs), retaining their Indian citizenship, whereas the rest constitute individuals of Indian origin (PIO).
On the other hand, Australia boasts a substantial count of at least 241,000 NRIs and a minimum of 255,000 PIOs. This substantial presence potentially contributes to the higher number of Indians adopting Australian citizenship.
The Indian government reports a staggering figure of over 390,000 Indians surrendering their Indian passports over the past three years. It is important to note that India, like several other Asian nations, does not permit its citizens to hold dual nationalities. However, Indians do have the option to become overseas citizens of India, a form of permanent residency that grants them the privilege to live and work indefinitely within the country.
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