Fast Track to Indian Citizenship: Who Qualifies for CAA? (2024 Update)

March 19, 2024

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) aims to simplify how certain immigrants can become Indian citizens.

Fast-tracks citizenship

It applies to undocumented immigrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, but only for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians.

Who benefits

These immigrants must have entered India by December 31, 2014.

Cut-off date

CAA reduces the residency requirement for citizenship by naturalization from 11 years to 5 years for these groups.

Easier path

Tribal areas in some Northeastern states are exempt from CAA.

Exclusions