OCI process

[Nkrumah]

Yeah, different rules for different jurisdictions! I confirmed on call, Vancouver wants only self attested copies the way they mentioned in their checklist.

Not only different rules for different jurisdictions, but different interpretations at a single jurisdiction.

It's all a big black box with exorbitant courier fees on each end.

 

[jackbauer]

Thanks a lot good sir for the detailed reply, you are even more awesome than the one from "24" !

I live in Brampton, so I will probably take a a chance and go there super early before trying my luck at Toronto for walk-in.

In case I need to send a postal application for Spouse Surrender + Entry Visa, I intend to do the following
1) Make two separate application packages and book combined pick-ups but separate drop-offs
2) In the entry visa application package, I will also include a cover letter to Embassy where I'll mention that we have also applied for a surrender certificate along side its application number.

How does this approach sound ?

haha, not a lot of people recognize the guy from 24 - especially on this forum
We're literally here to seek and give help as necessary.
Yeah you can go to Brampton although I'm not familiar with its crowd/appt management. Get ready to stand outside for some time.
1) This is better that bundling everything up in one packet but I still suggest you call the Toronto/BR office to double check the docs needed if possible.
2) Hopefully that should satisfy them as long as the rest of the docs are there.

As I said, walk-in is lot better than postal given your timeline. You can cross-check stuff in real time & I've seen folks (Elderly and young) come back 3/4 times to BLS for a non-issue. Do post your updates..

 

[Nkrumah]

Wow so they want us to submit the original Canadian Citizenship Certificate as well as original Canadian Passport for OCI

How else can they hold us hostage?

 

[jackbauer]

May 15, 2022 I think is sufficient for OCI unless you're unlucky.

Submitted OCI application for my infant. Here's the current update:

Application submitted (In-person application at Toronto office): Feb 12, 2022
Official OCI website acknowledgment: Feb 28, 2022
BLS Tracking Update: OG Birth Certificate In Transit from Consulate General to BLS Centre (Feb 28, 2022)

We literally have the same timelines.
I see Original Ready for dispatch on BLS and OCI says file in progress today. For me they retained my citizenship cert, I guess you applied for your kid?

Hopefully by March 10/12th, we should get OCI in hand/

 

[Nkrumah]

The very thought of sending originals to the CGI is frightening, because there is no way of saying how long they will take to process and reading this thread they are no good at responding to emails either, leave alone the possibility of the package getting lost!!!
It will be like being paralyzed for that duration of time, cant travel cant do anything.

Imagine, three different parties handling our originals - BLS, CGI and courier. So many things could go wrong and they would each just blame the other.

This really requires a big leap of faith... and hope and prayers for a soft landing.

 

[Nkrumah]

Fun Fact - Mr. Anshuman Gaur (Deputy High Commissioner, Ottawa) and Smt. Apoorva Srivastava (Consul General, Toronto) are husband and wife.

 

[sach1234]

Is there anyway to contact the Indian consulate in Toronto? It's been 9 days since I applied for my visa, but it still shows under processing. The processing time on BLS' website says 7 days for Canadian Nationals. I really need to travel urgently.

Did you talk to anyone ? I have been waiting for over 3 weeks now, mine is at high commission in Ottawa.

 

[sach1234]

Yeah same with me as well. I tried that option and even emailed a couple of times to the High commission office and they never effing replied back.

Any luck ??

 

[royce110]

Imagine, three different parties handling our originals - BLS, CGI and courier. So many things could go wrong and they would each just blame the other.

This really requires a big leap of faith... and hope and prayers for a soft landing.

When I was applying for the passport one of the girls standing in line next to me said the first time she applied for passport via mail Canada Post lost her Citizenship Certificate!! It took her around 2 months to get a new one from IRCC apparently. like you said, we need to take a big leap of faith while dealing with these departments!!

 

[akash06f]

Hello MY BLS Status shows : Passport ready For Dispatch after OCI stamping

Application Type : Mail Via Puralator

Sent on Jan 6 2022

BLS acknowledgement : Jan 17 th

MEA Acknowledge : Feb 3 2022

Update on MEA printing and processed : Feb 27

BLS Update : Passport ready For Dispatch after OCI stamping

What does this means are they going to send me via Mail as I opted for Pick up and Drop Off services

How would i get the tracking number ???

How soon can i expect to receive as i Have to travel very soon.

 

[zagcollins]

We literally have the same timelines.
I see Original Ready for dispatch on BLS and OCI says file in progress today. For me they retained my citizenship cert, I guess you applied for your kid?

Hopefully by March 10/12th, we should get OCI in hand/

haha nice. Yeah they kept my son's birth certificate. Also got my Purolator tracking link via text - this is the OG birth certificate on its way back. Expected delivery date is tomorrow.

BLS tracking now says:

Line 1: Original documents are Ready for Dispatch
Line 2: Ready for Dispatch

 

[dineshrehab]

Went to BLS toronto today 9am. ( Missed my appointment yesterday)
Security asks my purpose of visit- Passport surrender
He lets me in ,asks others to stay outside( Visa server was down)
After 10 min they called anyone for passport services- I jumped line as everyone else were for visa services.
Agent Pooja Sharma- returned my application finding 3 mistakes both in passport surrender and entry visa. Asked me to create new one ( carried my laptop). Ms Pooja Sharma was very patient with me, made my day easy.
New application sent to their email id.
Passport surrender and OCI cannot be done together
Passport surrender and Entry visa can be done together.
By the time I went back to Ms Sharma the visa server was back online( got lucky). Finished my passport surrender and Entry visa together.

Anyone wanting BLS services go early if u are ready to wait - if lucky they might let u submit.

 

[vvarma]

Not only different rules for different jurisdictions, but different interpretations at a single jurisdiction.

It's all a big black box with exorbitant courier fees on each end.

Yup - same experience. 1st time I enquired about courier costs (OCI + Surrender), I was told: 50 (pickup) + 40 + 40 (for drops) = $130. The next time with another agent said 60 (pickup) + 40 + 40 (for drops) = $140

BTW....anybody from Vancouver who recently used their Pickup/drop service? What was the price breakdown?

 

[Chironto]

I would suggest to submit in person and opt for courier to receive it back as then you do not have to submit your originals. I submitted in person on Dec 14th, 2021 and should be receiving my OCI Card by Tuesday.

Thanks, I also called the help line and they mentioned they don't accept appointments for OCI and that I must submit my application by courier (pickup and drop off). Contradictory to what I saw being posted here but I suppose they can't openly advertise that you can book visa appointment to submit OCI application. He also confirmed I don't need to submit my original documents when sending by post.

EDIT: After I paid for the courier service, I realized they updated their checklist and it mentions to submit original passport. Old checklist. New checklist. So at this point, I am again confused whether I need to submit my original passport or not. This is certainly harder than it needs to be.

 

[vivek.89]

My surrender certificate application was acknowledged by BLS Toronto as received on Feb 25? If they have any mistakes pointed out in the application, by when will they let me know? And if there are no mistakes, by when can i expect to get the certificate?

Can someone help with this?