US, Nov 5 : A record 2.25 lakh Indians acquired citizenship in OECD countries in 2023, marking the highest number among all nationalities and underscoring India’s growing presence in global migration trends. The surge reflects a shift from temporary migration to long-term settlement as tightened visa rules and fee hikes under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration push skilled professionals to seek stability through citizenship.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a total of 2.8 million people became citizens of its member nations in 2023. Among them, Indians topped the list, followed by Filipinos (1.32 lakh) and Chinese (92,400). India has now maintained its lead for two consecutive years, with the number of naturalisations rising from 2.06 lakh in 2021 to 2.14 lakh in 2022, and now 2.25 lakh in 2023.
The OECD described naturalisation as both “an indicator of long-term settlement and a driver of better integration outcomes.”
Uneven Citizenship Pathways
The report highlighted sharp differences in access to citizenship across member states. Canada and Australia have relatively **shorter residence requirements three and four years respectively**while many European nations impose stricter language, income, and integration tests. Despite such variations, India continues to dominate migration flows to OECD nations, surpassing China since the pandemic.
Migration on the Rise
In 2023, migration from India to OECD countries rose 8%, with 6 lakh Indian citizens moving abroad for work, study, or family reunification. The United Kingdom emerged as the top destination, welcoming 1.44 lakh Indians, largely through the Health and Care Worker visa route, which included 39,000 primary applicants and 57,000 dependents.
Canada followed with 1.4 lakh migrants, reflecting an 18% increase from the previous year. In contrast, migration to the United States dropped by 45% to 68,000, owing to tighter H-1B visa norms and rising processing costs.
Meanwhile, China’s migration to OECD countries reached 3.7 lakh, with top destinations including the U.S. (57,000), South Korea (53,000), and Japan (35,000).
Experts suggest that India’s continued lead in citizenship and migration figures highlights a structural shift in mobility, where highly skilled workers are moving toward permanent settlement in countries offering stability, welfare benefits, and long-term career opportunities.