OCI process

[abhishekp90]

i applied for surrender certificate today. How long does it usually takes, BLS folks told me 3 - 6 weeks. But just want to get some proper timeline. So that i can book an appointment with BLS for OCI

 

[dineshrehab]

Tourist Visa Advisory, Click here


Application Submission at the BLS Center is Strictly by Appointment Only between 8:30 AM & 1:30 PM. The Center Opens at 8 AM and Submission closes at 2 PM. One Appointment is for One Application only. (E.g. for family application of 3 members you need to book 3 appointments). To Book Your Appointment, Please Visit BLS Website https://www.blsindia-canada.com/appointmentbls/appointment.php
.

Saw this on BLS website, why do we need 3 separate appointment for one single family? All appointments are booked till April.
Ridiculous

 

[Rana Singh]

I went to bls surrey to submit my application for oci on February 8 waited in line for hour security guard told me you have to make appointment no walk in allowed.My friend behind me he wanted to renew indian passport he was allowed without appointment. Appointment for oci is two months wait. I request to security guard I didn’t know about that I waited an hour check if any cancellation if they can adjust me I can wait bit more and I wanted to get checked my papers if need something else he said come back 3 p.m . I had no choice i went to purolator outlet two minutes drive send by courier.Lady asked me if I wants to pay for return package I said ok it was all together 46.97 . My friend applied for visa he paid 97 dollars through bls . I don’t know what is going on ? Package was delivered next day hopefully I get oci card end of march. I will update later Thanks.

 

[gantisunil86]

Update: Checked today morning and see the following:
On ociservices.gov.in: Status is : UNDER-PROCESS. Date of acknowledgement: 16-FEB-2022. Until yesterday (or maybe until day before yesterday), it would show NO RECORD FOUND.

On BLS website, there are two lines:
In Transit from Consulate General to BLS Centre
Processing at Consulate General

Until yesterday, both lines were 'Processing at Consulate General'. I suppose first line is for returning the original document, second line is for the OCI booklet.

I'll give another update when I receive the original from purolator.

Hey Thanks! I just checked and mine also shows Under Process. Date of acknowledgement: 18-FEB-2022 (IST)

 

[navid2014]

Tourist Visa Advisory, Click here


Application Submission at the BLS Center is Strictly by Appointment Only between 8:30 AM & 1:30 PM. The Center Opens at 8 AM and Submission closes at 2 PM. One Appointment is for One Application only. (E.g. for family application of 3 members you need to book 3 appointments). To Book Your Appointment, Please Visit BLS Website https://www.blsindia-canada.com/appointmentbls/appointment.php
.

Saw this on BLS website, why do we need 3 separate appointment for one single family? All appointments are booked till April.
Ridiculous

Yea I had to make '2' appointments, I dont understand why they are doing that but its eating time slots of other individuals.

Also for Tourist or Entry visa have you called BLS Customer care, when I visited BLS office earlier this week I was told that they accept walk-in for Entry and Tourist visa.

 

[vvarma]

Hi All,

Just to apprise everyone. I (actually my wife) submitted visa+surrender+OCI application at BLS Calgary on Feb 1.

Passport was sent back by Vancouver on Feb 3. BLS Calgary received it on Feb 4 itself and we received it today (Feb 7). Had passport+Visa in it Since they took only 1 day to process it, we were scared that they may have rejected the visa on some weird ground. But seems they can process it pretty quick.

Hi - have you received your OCI yet? What were your timelines?

 

[cvnsk]

Hi All,

Did any one apply for OCI in the last week ? Did you submit the originals as well or applied with photocopies alone ?
Looks like the Originals are now mandatory for Toronto Jurisdiction as well. The latest checklist asks for originals ( and copy ) of Citizenship certificate, Canadian Passport and Indian Passport.

https://www.blsindia-canada.com/tor...t-and-Information-Booklet-for-OCI-Jan2022.pdf

 

[dineshrehab]

Hi All,

Did any one apply for OCI in the last week ? Did you submit the originals as well or applied with photocopies alone ?
Looks like the Originals are now mandatory for Toronto Jurisdiction as well. The latest checklist asks for originals ( and copy ) of Citizenship certificate, Canadian Passport and Indian Passport.

https://www.blsindia-canada.com/tor...t-and-Information-Booklet-for-OCI-Jan2022.pdf

I thought that is for postal applications, do we need to submit originals for in person applications?

 

[cvnsk]

I thought that is for postal applications, do we need to submit originals for in person applications?

I think we do. would be helpful if someone who applied for OCI in the last week can confirm.

 

[hashish89]

For Surrender Certificate: Can I book an appointment or walk-in? BLS Brampton/Toronto
Where can I book an appointment at?
Thank you

 

[jmehta197]

I thought that is for postal applications, do we need to submit originals for in person applications?

No. We don't need to submit originals for in person application.

 

[to_munda]

yep - I uploaded and attached employment confirmation letter and I can tell you I got my OCI
If you are self employed - you could create a letter with header as your corporation name

Hi,
Can you please share the format, if you dont mind?
TIA

 

[to_munda]

As far as I know originals are not to be sent with the OCI application - all I sent was self attested photocopies.

Actually my question was different. What I was asking is:
If we go for in person appointment, and submit all the docs,
after all the paperwork and approval, do we have to pick up the docs in person
or do we have to pay for the courier, to get everything back?
Thanks

 

[to_munda]

For Surrender Certificate: Can I book an appointment or walk-in? BLS Brampton/Toronto
Where can I book an appointment at?
Thank you

To what I understand, you can try walk-in but make sure to go there early.
For appointments, heres the link:

https://www.blsindia-canada.com/appointmentbls/appointment.php

 

[to_munda]

That is strange- I applied by courier in Brampton, a few of my friends too and some of them did in person. None of us sent or submitted any originals including Canadian passport not even surrender certificate. Everything was a self attested copy.
But yah everytime I have called BLS, every person on the other side of the phone has a different answer to the same question.

Yes there is a requirement for sending Original AND Copy of the following:
1. India PP
2. Canada PP
3. Cdn Citizenship Cert

Heres the link for the list:
https://www.blsindia-canada.com/tor...t-and-Information-Booklet-for-OCI-Jan2022.pdf