OCI timeline for BLS Toronto

[TorontoFerrari]

Hi All,
We received Canadian Citizenship Oath invitation for June 1st week. We already booked our tickets to visit Indian in July last week, so after Oath we will have 7 weeks.
I have following questions for that i need your suggestion, so that i can take decision whether i should apply regular visa (7 days process time) or OCI (6-8 weeks process) after getting Canadian passport as i would need that for regular visa/OCI.
Note - I can't apply e-visa as my family will be going to more than 60 days.

1). As i understand i can surrender Indian passport & apply the visa/OCI at the same day. Please confirm based on your experience.
2). Whats the actual timeline for OCI? is there way we can expedite this? like submitting air tickets along with application? Also requesting BLS officer.
3). Do i need to submit my Canadian passport along with OCI application?

Thanks.....

 

[TorontoFerrari]

Please help me find the answer of above queries....

 

[kondaveeti41]

1. You can surrender Indian passport & apply for OCI same day.
2. OCI applications are initially verified by BLS, then Indian consulate and then sent to New Delhi for actual processing. Processing time on OCI website shows as 60-90 days after it is received at New Delhi. But, most cases are done in 30-45 days.
3. You don't need to submit your original Canadian passport but you need a copy of it. So, I think you can't apply until you obtain Canadian passport which would take around 10 days.

I think best option for you would be to go for regular visa if your family is staying for less than 6 months. Even if your family wants to stay for more than 6 months, you can travel on regular visa first and apply OCI in India.

 

[homecanada]

You cannot apply for OCI unless if you have received the surrender certificate. Surrender certificate is about 2-3 processing weeks for Toronto Jurisdiction.

 

[TorontoFerrari]

1. You can surrender Indian passport & apply for OCI same day.
2. OCI applications are initially verified by BLS, then Indian consulate and then sent to New Delhi for actual processing. Processing time on OCI website shows as 60-90 days after it is received at New Delhi. But, most cases are done in 30-45 days.
3. You don't need to submit your original Canadian passport but you need a copy of it. So, I think you can't apply until you obtain Canadian passport which would take around 10 days.

I think best option for you would be to go for regular visa if your family is staying for less than 6 months. Even if your family wants to stay for more than 6 months, you can travel on regular visa first and apply OCI in India.

Thanks for your response. Is there any way to expedite OCI process? i mean submitting air tickets along with OCI application?

 

[TorontoFerrari]

You cannot apply for OCI unless if you have received the surrender certificate. Surrender certificate is about 2-3 processing weeks for Toronto Jurisdiction.

Based on response from multiple people, i would says you can submit OCI at the same day when you surrender Indian passport. I was reading other thread, based on that you have to submit passport surrender application first & then submit OCI application along with passport surrender receipt.

 

[homecanada]

There is no expedite OCI process. I would suggest to apply for OCI after you return back as its timelines are about 4-6 weeks.

 

[moabbasi]

I am currently at BLS Scarborough office for my surrender and OCI application together. Yes you can apply both togther...

Ref: CGI Toronto page
http://www.cgitoronto.ca/eoi.php?id=oci_application

Surrender Certificate issued by the Indian Consulate/High Commission/Embassy stating that you have surrendered Indian passport upon acquiring foreign citizenship (OCI applicants, if surrendering their Indian passport now, can apply for OCI and Surrender Certificate simultaneously).

 

[TorontoFerrari]

I am currently at BLS Scarborough office for my surrender and OCI application together. Yes you can apply both togther...

Ref: CGI Toronto page
http://www.cgitoronto.ca/eoi.php?id=oci_application

Surrender Certificate issued by the Indian Consulate/High Commission/Embassy stating that you have surrendered Indian passport upon acquiring foreign citizenship (OCI applicants, if surrendering their Indian passport now, can apply for OCI and Surrender Certificate simultaneously).

Thanks...since you are at BLS, can you please check if there is any way to expedite OCI process? i mean submitting air tickets along with OCI application or any other way? if so whats the timeline for expedite OCI?

 

[homecanada]

I am currently at BLS Scarborough office for my surrender and OCI application together. Yes you can apply both togther...

Ref: CGI Toronto page
http://www.cgitoronto.ca/eoi.php?id=oci_application

Surrender Certificate issued by the Indian Consulate/High Commission/Embassy stating that you have surrendered Indian passport upon acquiring foreign citizenship (OCI applicants, if surrendering their Indian passport now, can apply for OCI and Surrender Certificate simultaneously).

Thanks Moabbasi.

 

[moabbasi]

Thanks...since you are at BLS, can you please check if there is any way to expedite OCI process? i mean submitting air tickets along with OCI application or any other way? if so whats the timeline for expedite OCI?

Just came back from BLS took almost 1:45 mins for processing 3 applications for both surrender and oci.

I asked the lady about you, she said there is no mechanism of urgent processing of OCI. However, she emphasized if your friend uploads all the required documents clearly and as per the instructions he may get it sooner.. in 45 days.

Also when you have minors for the OCI Application, make sure you attach all the required documents mentioned in the check list page 3. I missed one document “no objection letter from both the parents with photo and signatures.

She helped me with the format...
You may download it here just in case:
https://cisco.box.com/s/zn0jydv2wuec837r54zqthiwz98t75ge

 

[TorontoFerrari]

Just came back from BLS took almost 1:45 mins for processing 3 applications for both surrender and oci.

I asked the lady about you, she said there is no mechanism of urgent processing of OCI. However, she emphasized if your friend uploads all the required documents clearly and as per the instructions he may get it sooner.. in 45 days.

Also when you have minors for the OCI Application, make sure you attach all the required documents mentioned in the check list page 3. I missed one document “no objection letter from both the parents with photo and signatures.

She helped me with the format...
You may download it here just in case:
https://cisco.box.com/s/zn0jydv2wuec837r54zqthiwz98t75ge

Thanks moabbasi. I just sent you a pm, please check.

 

[rashu268]

Guys, I have a question. I recently became a citizen and got my passport too. Now, if I apply for OCI do I need to submit the original documents of my wife too? She is not a citizen yet and is a PR. Please help me.

 

[Jai Rathore]

Have a look at this page where the process has been documented https://spark.adobe.com/page/w4G13xr1y2ut4/