Applying for Schengen Visa (on Indian Passport) after BC

[AmITheStig]

Dear Experts,

My apologies if the above topic has been discussed before, however since I couldn't find any previous discussions relating to my query, I thought I'll start a new topic.

I have my Naturalisation Ceremony booked for this Thursday (4th December), I just wanted to check if I could apply for schengen visa on my Indian passport (after naturalisation) to travel in Europe?

I have plans of traveling to Lisbon on 31st Dec for New Years eve; I feel even if I apply for British Passport the very next day after naturalisation there isn't any assuarance that I will receive my new British passport on time for travel.. My only option is to apply for Schengen visa on Indian passport, travel to Portugal using Indian passport, and later apply for British passport once I am back in UK.

However I am very unsure if this would be against the law, since I would be declaring myself as Indian Citizen on my Schengen Visa application even after obtaing British citizenship.

This is all a bit complicated for me right now, any clarification / guidance regarding this matter would be much appreciated.

P.S. I have taken appointment for Schengen visa on 5th Dec (a day after I am naturalised as British citizen)

Thanks,
Amit

[milan69]

Between the time I was naturalised and receiving my British passport I traveled few times on my old passport and I still can if I chose to do so.

[AmITheStig]

I have read elsewhere that you'll have 90 days grace period to travel with old passport even after being naturalised as British Citizen.. My main issue here is not travelling with old passport, it is about applying for Schengen Visa with your old Indian passport (i.e. after naturalisation).

When I fill the Schengen visa application if I state I'm British Citizen, then I can't apply for Schengen Visa with my Indian passport.. And if I state I'm Indian citizen on the application form, I would be clearly lying which could potentially lead to complications.

[milan69]

I can state any nationality that I have and that I chose to so if you are officially Indian citizen at the moment when you are applying for Schengen Visa you are not breaking any law as far as I am concerned. However, the Indian law is different as it does not allow dual nationalities so you might want to check when will your Indian citizenship cease to exist once you become British.

[ban.s]

You'll lose your indian citizenship the moment you naturalise and become a British citizen.
There is a provision to use Indian passport for a grace period of upto 90 days from naturalisation and if you use Indian passport for travel, then you state your nationality as indian. E.g. people travel to India after naturalisation and mention nationality as Indian on the landing card! Though techincally this is not correct but for practical purpose this is allowed within the grace period as long as you are not exercising the other nationality.
However if you want to play safe - either apply for visa before your naturalisation or postpone the ceremony until you have applied for schengen.

[AmITheStig]

Thank you guys for your quick response.. I wouldn't want to take the route of postponing my naturalisation ceremony as the next available date for naturalisation in Kent council is not until mid/end January, and the fee for private ceremony is £185 per person (£370 for wife and me is definitely not worth it). I think I'll take my chances applying for Schengen visa with Indian passport (as scheduled) the day after naturalisation ceremony.

[apz2016]

Hi Amit - Did you end you applying for the schengen visa and was it successful? I am in a similar situation and wondering whether to apply for schengen with Indian passport.