* Intervention by Commissioner for NRI Affairs in Goa prompted review of existing rules under the Ministry of Home Affairs circular * Latest amendment replaces earlier requirement of “Passport Surrender Certificate” by Regional Passport Offices with flexible provision of “revocation order” by Indian Missions or Posts abroad as valid documentation
A file photo of some Goans outside the Portuguese Consulate in London. Photo: Lui Godinho
MELBOURNE
In a significant development for former Indian nationals from Goa, Daman and Diu holding Portuguese passports, the Government of India has introduced key amendments that are expected to ease long-standing procedural hurdles related to visas, exit permits, and OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) registration.
The move follows sustained efforts by Adv. Narendra Sawaikar, Commissioner for NRI Affairs in Goa, whose intervention prompted a review of existing rules under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Circular No. 592, originally issued on June 11, 2024.
According to an official communication (No. VII/219/02/2026) dated April 20, 2026, from Dr Binoy George, Joint Secretary (CPV), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the MHA has amended provisions within the circular to simplify documentation requirements for individuals who have acquired Portuguese nationality under Portuguese law.
Sources indicate that an earlier version of the circular was not accepted by the High Commission of India (HCI) in London, as it did not include provisions recognising revocation orders issued by Indian Missions and Posts abroad. This omission had created practical difficulties for applicants, particularly those based overseas.
The latest amendment addresses this gap by replacing the earlier requirement of a “Passport Surrender Certificate” issued by Regional Passport Offices with a more flexible provision. Authorities will now accept a “revocation order” issued by Indian Missions or Posts abroad as valid documentation.
This change is particularly beneficial for individuals from the erstwhile Portuguese territories of Goa, Daman and Diu, many of whom faced challenges in securing surrender certificates due to administrative or logistical constraints.
With the revised guidelines, applicants can now use revocation orders issued by Indian diplomatic missions abroad when applying for visas, exit permits, or OCI registration, streamlining the process and reducing delays.
Officials confirmed that the updated provisions have already been communicated to Indian Missions and Posts worldwide for immediate implementation.
The development is expected to bring considerable relief to thousands of affected individuals, especially the Goan diaspora in countries such as the United Kingdom, where a large number of former Indian nationals have taken up Portuguese citizenship.
Sources indicate that the NRI Commissioner played a pivotal role in highlighting the practical difficulties faced by this community, leading to the policy adjustment at the central level.
The move has been widely welcomed as a progressive step towards addressing the concerns of overseas Indians with historical ties to former Portuguese territories.
