This article sheds light on who is stateless under international law and gives weight to domestic norms and nationality laws as factors that raises the specter of statelessness. Using the case study of Indian-origin “5–6” moneylenders in the Philippines, the paper posits that the intersection of social perception, local business norms, and administrative and legal practices has alienated a section of Indian-origin migrants for over generations. The resulting “ghosting” of the minority business community of Indian origin has pushed them towards statelessness. The study suggests that different pathways of citizenship should be conceived for them through diplomacy and negotiation between concerned parties.