The Naturalization Effect of OCI

This chapter focuses on the relationship between the availability of a diasporic membership status and immigrant naturalization in the country of residence. The extensive analysis shows that the availability of dual citizenship, or here, Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), leads to higher naturalization rates in the country of residence. Based on several distinct naturalization rates, the analysis isolates effects specific to India as the country of origin from general factors in the US, by comparing the development of naturalization rates for Indian or India-born immigrants with the respective rates for relevant comparison groups. In addition, the chapter explores the concrete consequences of naturalization and to what extent they matter for India’s development. This includes an exploration of multiple belonging and national identification, political activities, as well as the effect on immigrants’ income, known as the ‘naturalization premium.’