Explained: Why a record 2.25 lakh Indians became citizens of OECD nations in 2023 

India tops the list: 2.25 lakh Indians acquired citizenship of OECD countries in 2023

As US President Donald Trump steps up his targeting of foreigners, particularly Indians, through higher H-1B visa fees and new restrictions, a record number of Indians are acquiring citizenship in advanced economies, according to the International Migration Outlook 2025 released Monday by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The report reveals that in 2023, about 2.25 lakh Indian citizens obtained the nationality of an OECD member country, the highest among all countries of origin, and a new milestone for India.

Overall, around 2.8 million people became citizens of OECD nations in 2023, a slight rise from 2.77 million the previous year. Following India, the Philippines ranked second with 1.32 lakh nationals acquiring citizenship, while 92,400 Chinese citizens did the same.

According to the International Migration Outlook 2025 by the OECD, India has remained the leading country of origin for newly naturalised citizens across OECD nations, strengthening this position over the past two years.

In 2023, around 2.25 lakh Indian citizens, a record figure,  obtained the nationality of an OECD country, compared to 2.14 lakh in 2022 and 2.06 lakh the year before, The Times of India reported. The report notes that naturalisation, or citizenship acquisition, serves both as an indicator of long-term settlement and a driver of better integration outcomes.

While the growing permanence of Indian migration is evident, access to citizenship remains uneven. Pathways differ widely, from shorter residence requirements in Canada (three years) and Australia (four years) to stricter language, income, and integration tests in much of Europe.

Indians also continued to migrate in large numbers, whether as workers or students. The OECD report highlights that India and China have long dominated migration flows to its member countries outside humanitarian movements. However, India surpassed China during the pandemic and has widened that lead since.

In 2023, about 6 lakh Indian citizens migrated to OECD member nations, an 8% rise from 2022. Nearly one in four went to the United Kingdom (1.44 lakh people), with many entering through the Health and Care Worker visa route, including around 39,000 primary applicants and 57,000 dependents. Canada welcomed about 1.4 lakh Indian migrants last year, marking an 18% increase, while migration to the United States dropped sharply to 68,000, down 45% from 2022.

Meanwhile, migration from China to OECD countries continued to grow, reaching around 3.7 lakh new migrants in 2023, up 13% from the previous year. The primary destinations for Chinese nationals were the United States (57,000), South Korea (53,000), and Japan (35,000).