Embassy of India

in Switzerland and The Principality of Liechtenstein

Requirements for Renunciation of Indian Citizenship & Surrender Certificate

1. Any Indian citizen can renounce their citizenship by filing a declaration using form XXII, as stated in the Citizenship Rules, 2009, Rule 23. The application form must only be completed on the MHA website, "https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in"

2. The renouncer would complete the application form on the aforementioned website, upload the necessary documents, take the print out, and visit the Embassy of India, Berne for signing the declaration before the concerned authority & to submit application form along with the supporting documents.

3. Each applicant must fill out a separate application and submit

4. There are no more changes permitted to the application form once it has been submitted online by the applicant. Therefore, before submitting the online application form, candidates are requested to carefully review all the details.

5. MHA File Number would be generated automatically after the submission of online application and the same will be communicated to the applicant by e-mail. Applicant must keep note of it for tracking the status and refer this file number for any future correspondence.

6. Complete step by step instructions for filling a fresh online application, modifying a partially filled online application, printing an application submitted online may be referred in website https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in

7. Applicant must take the print out of the online submitted application and personally submit the same at the Embassy of India in Berne (with prior appointment) along with original documents for further action by authority concerned.

8. Applicant  has to make the payment through bank transfer

1. Fees for (Renunciation of Indian Citizenship + surrender certificate) CHF 106 should be paid to Embassy’s Bank Account maintained with UBS AG, Account No. 235-939899.01P. (IBAN CH82 0023 523593989901P). 

2. In addition to the above fees, a Consular Surcharge of CHF 2.00 is to be paid to Embassy's separate bank account maintained with UBS AG, Account No.235-939899.02K (IBAN CH39 0023523593989902 K). 

3. All payments should be made only through the bank and the original payment receipts containing the Embassy's account number should be submitted with the application. 

4. 'Beneficiary' name may kindly be mentioned as 'Embassy of India'.

5. Payment made through the cash desk of the Post Office will not be accepted.

9. Applicant will be provided acknowledgment in Form XXIII after his signed application/declaration is successfully uploaded by the Indian Mission/Post. This may be sent to applicant through e-mail.

10. Applicant may note the legal provision under section 8 of the Citizenship Act, 1955 which provides that where a person ceases to be a citizen of India on renunciation of citizenship under section 8 (1), every minor child of that person shall thereupon ceases to be a citizen of India. However, such child may, within one year after attaining full age, can make a declaration in the prescribed form and manner that he wishes to resume Indian citizenship.

11. Minor applicants are not required to fill MHA online renunciation, they are required to fill application for Passport surrender Certificate.

Open https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in website and go to Declaration of Renunciation of Citizenship under Section 8 of the Act Made by a Citizen of India and follow the instructions. 

1. Print out of the online submitted MHA Renunciation application (FORM XXII)

2. Original Indian Passport with copy of main pages. 

3. Original foreign Passport and Copy of first page of the foreign passport. (good quality color copy should be enclosed).

4. Copy of valid Swiss Residence Permit (Except Swiss nationals). 

5. Copy of the Naturalization Certificate (Einbürgerungsurkunde or Bürgerrechtsnachweis) with date of Acquisition of Citizenship.

6. Affix one recent good quality color photograph (5 cm x 5 cm with 80% coverage of face / front view). 

7. Copy of payment receipts of Service Fee and Consular Surcharge. 

8. One self addressed Registered Stamped Envelope. 

9. A copy of notarized affidavit with the reasons for changes in the name is required in case of name change in Foreign passport. 

10. Declaration on the first page of Form-XXII is mandatory to be signed in presence of Consular Officer.

11. Second page of FORM XXII should be signed by a witness who is an Indian Citizen- with date, his/her name and Switzerland postal address. Signature and details of witness may be obtained before visiting the Embassy for submission.

12. Self-addressed registered return envelope if you want us to send the certificate back by post

1. Original Indian Passport with copy of main pages.

2. Original foreign Passport and Copy of first page of the foreign passport. (good quality color copy should be enclosed).

3. Copy of valid Swiss Residence Permit (Except Swiss nationals). 

4. Copy of the Naturalization Certificate (Einbürgerungsurkunde or Bürgerrechtsnachweis) with date of Acquisition of Citizenship.

5. Affix one recent good quality color photograph (5 cm x 5 cm with 80% coverage of face / front view). 

6. Copy of payment receipts of Service Fee and Consular Surcharge. 

The minimum processing time for the procedure of renunciation of Citizenship and surrender of passport, is 6-8 weeks, after the receipt of the duly completed application in the Embassy.

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