Should the minor fingerprint be vertical or horizontal?
Asking because with vertical (1), we are having difficulty with achieving the required dimensions
Should the minor fingerprint be vertical or horizontal?
Asking because with vertical (1), we are having difficulty with achieving the required dimensions
Anybody knows what this status means on the BLS website tracking ?
OCI is supposed to be dispatched by courier, and they have courier details as well, so not sure why it mentions 'Passport Delivered By Hand'
@b.arvind87 did you ever receive a response for this? I have the same status "Passport Delivered By Hand" for OCI which supposed to be couriered to my home address.
I’ve finally completed my OCI process - huge thanks to everyone in this forum for your support.
My Timeline:
Application submitted (Postal via BLS Brampton): February 18, 2025
OCI Card received: March 25, 2025
OCI Portal Timeline:
Date of Acknowledgment: February 22, 2025
Documents Printing Status: Processed on March 17, 2025
Dispatched from MEA (New Delhi): March 18, 2025
Document received at Toronto: March 27, 2025
Quick Tips:
Ensure all details match your Indian passport to avoid processing delays.
If married, enter your spouse’s details exactly as per their passport.
For overseas address on the back of the OCI card:
Include your full overseas address (including postal code and country) within the 3 address lines on the application.
The "ZIP code" and "Country" fields are not printed on the OCI card, so repeat them in the address lines.
The postal code may appear twice in the printed application—but it won’t affect your OCI card.
Voter ID & Ration Card Surrender:
Ration Card:
I'm from South India, and the surrender process was fairly straightforward.
You can use either your state's online portal or visit a ration card e-service office to remove your name.
Voter ID:
This was a bit more complicated:
Many South Indian voter cards have a blank or '-' in the surname field.
The Voter Portal requires the first name and surname to match exactly with your Voter ID details in order to link the ID using EPIC.
But it won’t let you create a profile with a '-' as the surname.
Two ways to tackle this:
Option 1 (recommended):
Ask someone in India to register on your behalf using the Android Voter Helpline app: The app allows '-' as the surname.
Once registered, you can log in on the browser and submit Form 7.
Option 2 (what I did):
Submit Form 8 first to update the surname, then link your EPIC number and submit Form 7.
Unfortunately, I found out about Option 1 only after I submitted Form 8, so I had to go with Option 2.
It took nearly 2 months to process the name update, after which I could finally link my EPIC and submit Form 7.
Funny (but frustrating) twist:
My Form 7 was rejected twice, with the reason being that only one correction is allowed per cycle.
They mistook Form 7 (deletion request) for another Form 8 (correction).
After resubmitting Form 7 a third time, it was finally accepted.
Final Note:
You don’t need to submit proof of voter ID or ration card surrender to BLS.
The signed declaration is sufficient.
Hope this helps others going through the same process!
I’ve finally completed my OCI process - huge thanks to everyone in this forum for your support.
My Timeline:
Application submitted (Postal via BLS Brampton): February 18, 2025
OCI Card received: March 25, 2025
OCI Portal Timeline:
Date of Acknowledgment: February 22, 2025
Documents Printing Status: Processed on March 17, 2025
Dispatched from MEA (New Delhi): March 18, 2025
Document received at Toronto: March 27, 2025
Quick Tips:
Ensure all details match your Indian passport to avoid processing delays.
If married, enter your spouse’s details exactly as per their passport.
For overseas address on the back of the OCI card:
Include your full overseas address (including postal code and country) within the 3 address lines on the application.
The "ZIP code" and "Country" fields are not printed on the OCI card, so repeat them in the address lines.
The postal code may appear twice in the printed application—but it won’t affect your OCI card.
Voter ID & Ration Card Surrender:
Ration Card:
I'm from South India, and the surrender process was fairly straightforward.
You can use either your state's online portal or visit a ration card e-service office to remove your name.
Voter ID:
This was a bit more complicated:
Many South Indian voter cards have a blank or '-' in the surname field.
The Voter Portal requires the first name and surname to match exactly with your Voter ID details in order to link the ID using EPIC.
But it won’t let you create a profile with a '-' as the surname.
Two ways to tackle this:
Option 1 (recommended):
Ask someone in India to register on your behalf using the Android Voter Helpline app: The app allows '-' as the surname.
Once registered, you can log in on the browser and submit Form 7.
Option 2 (what I did):
Submit Form 8 first to update the surname, then link your EPIC number and submit Form 7.
Unfortunately, I found out about Option 1 only after I submitted Form 8, so I had to go with Option 2.
It took nearly 2 months to process the name update, after which I could finally link my EPIC and submit Form 7.
Funny (but frustrating) twist:
My Form 7 was rejected twice, with the reason being that only one correction is allowed per cycle.
They mistook Form 7 (deletion request) for another Form 8 (correction).
After resubmitting Form 7 a third time, it was finally accepted.
Final Note:
You don’t need to submit proof of voter ID or ration card surrender to BLS.
The signed declaration is sufficient.
Hope this helps others going through the same process!
Only the declaration would be sufficient. I am not sure if they have any mechanism to cross check if you have surrendered or not. I would recommend you to surrender before applying for OCI.
Hi everyone,
This forum has been quite helpful, and so here is my contribution for the infamous Montréal jurisdiction.
Acknowledged on: 9th Jan 2025
Processed on : 28 Mar 2025
Dispatched from MEA New Delhi : 2 Apr 2025
Received in Ottawa: 10 Apr 2025
BLS status update to 'Passport Dispatched via courier' : 14th Apr 2025
All this while, BLS status remained at processing at high commission.
Received tracking ID on 14th evening.
OCI Delivered : 15th April
Like many others have said, God knows what is wrong with Ottawa HCI. The whole thing is a rip off. Despite taking ample buffers, we had to reschedule our flights and eat the change cost. Few days back, we tried our luck with BLS. The incompetent staff couldn't even figure out if our application ID was genuine. Then we showed him the receipt, to which he said that we don't know anything. Your OCI will come directly from Ottawa. Which was FALSE, as the courier did come from BLS origin.
All the numbers given on BLS are not operational. HCI Ottawa numbers are never answered. Like - what kind of scam blackbox is this?? I question the review standards that HCI has for BLS, they literally have no value add to the entire process. Even OCI application instructions are deliberately vague so that we can be subject to the vagaries of BLS interpretation.
And worst of all - what is the point of surrender certificate process? These two processes should simply be merged!! Whosoever wants OCI, pays additional fee and gets it. It is obvious that OCI application means the applicant wants to surrender Indian citizenship compliant to the law. Astounding stupidity and bureaucracy!
Anyway - rant over. I feel lighter. Lol.
Thanks again everyone! please plan ample buffers if you fall under Ottawa jurisdiction.
I'll be available on this forum for a few days to answer any Montréal specific questions.
I’ve finally completed my OCI process - huge thanks to everyone in this forum for your support.
My Timeline:
Application submitted (Postal via BLS Brampton): February 18, 2025
OCI Card received: March 25, 2025
OCI Portal Timeline:
Date of Acknowledgment: February 22, 2025
Documents Printing Status: Processed on March 17, 2025
Dispatched from MEA (New Delhi): March 18, 2025
Document received at Toronto: March 27, 2025
Quick Tips:
Ensure all details match your Indian passport to avoid processing delays.
If married, enter your spouse’s details exactly as per their passport.
For overseas address on the back of the OCI card:
Include your full overseas address (including postal code and country) within the 3 address lines on the application.
The "ZIP code" and "Country" fields are not printed on the OCI card, so repeat them in the address lines.
The postal code may appear twice in the printed application—but it won’t affect your OCI card.
Voter ID & Ration Card Surrender:
Ration Card:
I'm from South India, and the surrender process was fairly straightforward.
You can use either your state's online portal or visit a ration card e-service office to remove your name.
Voter ID:
This was a bit more complicated:
Many South Indian voter cards have a blank or '-' in the surname field.
The Voter Portal requires the first name and surname to match exactly with your Voter ID details in order to link the ID using EPIC.
But it won’t let you create a profile with a '-' as the surname.
Two ways to tackle this:
Option 1 (recommended):
Ask someone in India to register on your behalf using the Android Voter Helpline app: The app allows '-' as the surname.
Once registered, you can log in on the browser and submit Form 7.
Option 2 (what I did):
Submit Form 8 first to update the surname, then link your EPIC number and submit Form 7.
Unfortunately, I found out about Option 1 only after I submitted Form 8, so I had to go with Option 2.
It took nearly 2 months to process the name update, after which I could finally link my EPIC and submit Form 7.
Funny (but frustrating) twist:
My Form 7 was rejected twice, with the reason being that only one correction is allowed per cycle.
They mistook Form 7 (deletion request) for another Form 8 (correction).
After resubmitting Form 7 a third time, it was finally accepted.
Final Note:
You don’t need to submit proof of voter ID or ration card surrender to BLS.
The signed declaration is sufficient.
Hope this helps others going through the same process!
For minor OCI, below docs are required as per my experience.
Current Passport
Marriage Certificate
Indian Origin Proof - Upload passport copies of parents in single pdf
Indian Visa - Upload signed declaration form (I was sent back because it was missed)
Relationship Certificate - Birth Certificate
What is the declaration form we should upload under Indian Visa ? can you please give the link to the declaration form ? Who has to sign ? - Kid thumbprint or parent or parent's signature ?
I am planning to go to BLS Halifax office in person. Do BLS refund for the shipping charges we already paid ? if we didnt use at all ?
I also need to apply OCI . Father and kid can apply at same time ? If yes , then in the OCI form , do i have to select "yes" for the second application that we have already one family member earlier ? or "no" since we are applying at same time ?
What is the declaration form we should upload under Indian Visa ? can you please give the link to the declaration form ? Who has to sign ? - Kid thumbprint or parent or parent's signature ?
the declaration form is the one that each parent has to sign if they are Canadian Citizens now. If the kid was also an Indian Citizen at one time, same thing applies. If the kid was born in Canada then he/she doesn't have to.
