http://www.navhindtimes.in/goa-news/450-goans-opt-portuguese-citizenship-yearly http://goanobserver.com/portuguese-passport-%E2%80%93-ticket-to-economic-turmoil.html http://www.goacom.com/passport.html http://www.merinews.com/article/goans-explore-europe-through-portuguese-citizenship/130316.shtml http://www.groundreport.com/Business/Learn-Portuguese-to-earn-a-passport/2924172
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_nationality_law Indians in Qatar to organize Seminar on Portuguese nationality/citizenship Lure of better life and the mistaken notion of huge earnings in European nations, have enticed many Indians from Goa, Daman and Diu to acquire Portuguese passports. Portugal being part of the European Union (EU), a Portuguese citizen can easily travel through Europe and take up a job in any country of his choice. Unlike other parts of India which was ruled by the British till 1947 Goa, Daman and Diu were ruled by the Portuguese till 1961. Residents from the three places are entitled to Portuguese citizenship under a unique clause of the Portuguese nationality law. Portuguese nationality law allows those who were Portuguese citizens connected with Goa before 1961 to retain Portuguese nationality. Acquisition of Indian citizenship was determined to be non-voluntary at the time of its liberation. (On 19 December 1961 India invaded and annexed the territory. The annexation was not recognised by Portugal (or the United Nations) until 1975, at which time Portugal re-established diplomatic relations with India. The recognition of Indian sovereignty over Goa was backdated to 19 December 1961.) Formerly known as the Estado da Índia this territory was an integral part of Portugal (as distinct from a colony) under Portugal's Constitution of 1910. And it is not only Goans based in Goa who are acquiring a Portuguese passport, Goans based in different countries including the Middle east are in the process of surrendering their Indian citizenship. The procedure to get a Portuguese passport for Indians from the western state of Goa has been made easy, thanks to the initiative of Doha Goans Sports Club, a social, cultural and sports club based in Qatar. Goans in the oil-rich country will have the opportunity to interact with Pedro Antonio Rodrigues, a Goan origin settled in Portugal and who is Advocate by profession and specialises in processing Portuguese papers for obtaining Portuguese Passport/Citizenship. Acquiring a Portuguese passport for the Indians residing in the former Portuguese colony is a long drawn complicated process involving a lot of paper work and documents. The number of Goans who are applying for Portuguese citizenship is increasing each year. According to information available, nearly 1,200 Goans have acquired Portuguese passports in the last three years Doha Goans Sports Club are organizing the seminar so that Goans in Qatar who are interested in obtaining the Portuguese Passport can fast track the process after attending the informative and purposeful seminar of Rodrigues. Rodrigues is having his own office in Portugal with a permit access to Consulado Geral de Lisboa Portugal. He is visiting Doha on the request of Doha Goans Sports Club. At the seminar he will explain/guide and help interested candidates to process their documents. The meeting is open to all Goans and entrance is free followed with tea and coffee this seminar is fully supported and sponsored by Walter Dias Executive Director of Unique Choice Doha. The meeting will be held at the Doha Grand Hotel next to The Centre roundabout on 11th February and will commence at 5.pm. Interested parties can have one-on-one consultation with a fee on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th February, consultation venue will be notified in due course