‘Division strategy’: Indian-Canadians weigh citizenship versus remaining Indian

A lively discussion on Reddit’s Ask NRI forum has sparked a widespread debate among Indian-origin residents in Canada over whether they want to acquire Canadian citizenship or retain their Indian passports — a dilemma balancing practical considerations, romantic relationships, and long-term family planning.

The original post was shared by an Indian couple currently residing in Canada and eligible to apply for citizenship. The couple said they plan to have their first child in Canada but may return to India in a few years, raising questions about dual identity and practical trade-offs.

They identified three possible paths: both spouses acquiring Canadian citizenship, retaining Indian citizenship, or adopting a “split strategy” – one spouse becomes Canadian while the other remains Indian.

“We want to maximize flexibility for our children’s futures, and it is best to give them options for Canadian and Indian citizenship,” the post read. “We’re leaning toward a split strategy, but we want to hear from others who have been in a similar situation.”

The couple’s considerations included everything from tax implications and access to pensions to property rights and school fees in India. They also pointed out that while a Canadian passport allows visa-free travel to more than 180 countries, India does not allow dual citizenship — forcing an ultimate choice between nationalities.

The “splitting strategy” is gaining attention

Many Redditors reacted to the post, particularly regarding the idea of ​​splitting citizenship between spouses – a practical step to balance global mobility with Indian legal rights.

“I understand the splitting strategy to save on fees for your child, but you don’t have a child yet,” one user wrote, warning against over-optimizing future costs. “Traveling to Asia on a Canadian passport is much more convenient than traveling on an Indian passport. Airline staff treat you differently – it’s a noticeable shift.”

This commenter, who identified as a US citizen married to Indian descent, shared an anecdote about travel complications during a flight delay in Frankfurt.

“She wasn’t able to leave the airport while I was able to. Stuck in a small, crowded area for over 8 hours which made her change her mind,” the user wrote, adding, “A Canadian passport can also help in overcoming caste or caste barriers in India.”

They also cleared up a common misconception about OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) rights:

“As an OCI, you can inherit properties and buy apartments or commercial land, but not farmland. You can’t vote, but you can live comfortably in India.”

Emotional and practical trade-offs

Other users shared their own experiences of returning to India or planning international moves after obtaining Canadian citizenship. One comment highlighted how priorities evolve once children enter the picture.

“The important question is why do you want to return to India,” one user wrote. “I was planning to move to the UAE after obtaining citizenship, but once my daughter was born here, the natural environment and access to everything for her made me want to stay.”

Many Redditors agreed that while an Indian passport retains sentimental value, a Canadian passport offers much more practical benefits in global mobility and consular protection. However, those who plan to spend a significant amount of time in India stressed that ownership restrictions and OCI paperwork can pose ongoing challenges.

Immigration options

This discussion highlights the growing tension among families of Indian origin abroad – especially those balancing long-term investments, career options, and citizenship for children – between maintaining their roots in India and embracing full integration into their country of origin.

For many, the “division strategy” is a compromise, maintaining access to Indian rights while securing the travel and pension benefits of Canadian citizenship. But as one Redditor summarized:

“No matter what you choose, there is always a trade-off – between emotional belonging and practical convenience.”