1.6 lakh Indians who gave up citizenship between 2018 and 2023 opted for Canada; second to the US

In the backdrop of increasingly strained relations between India and Canada, data from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has revealed just how popular Canada is among Indian expats. Between January 2018 and June 2023, 1.6 lakh, or roughly 20%, of Indians who gave up their citizenship opted for Canada.

This development positions Canada as the second most favored destination for Indian expats during this period, with the United States leading the list. Meanwhile, Australia and the United Kingdom secured the third and fourth positions, respectively. Out of the total 8.4 lakh Indians who renounced their citizenship during this timeframe, a significant 58.4% have chosen to become citizens of the United States and Canada.

Looking at the year-wise statistics, a consistent upward trajectory is observed, except for 2020, the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The numbers of Indians renouncing their citizenship surged from 1.3 lakh in 2018 to 2.2 lakh in 2022. The first half of 2023 has already witnessed 87,026 individuals opting for citizenship in other countries over India.


A similar upward trend is evident when analyzing the breakup of destination countries, with minor fluctuations primarily in the United States' numbers for a single year. In total, almost 8.4 lakh Indians have relinquished their citizenship in favor of 114 different countries during this period.

This data reflects the dynamic choices made by Indian citizens seeking new horizons and opportunities abroad, with Canada emerging as an increasingly popular destination for those making this significant life change.

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