OCI process

[dineshrehab]

My status on Passport Seva site changed to:

Surrender certificate has been granted and is available for issuance.

Status history:

Date	Status on BLS	Status on Passport Portal	Days since applied
2022-02-26​	N/A	Surrender Certificate application form has been submitted.
2022-03-01​	Processing at Consulate General	Passport application along with fee details have been received. The same is under processing at the Embassy/Consulate.	4​
2022-03-10​	Processing at Consulate General	Surrender certificate is under review at Indian Embassy/Consulate.	13​
2022-03-14​	Processing at Consulate General	Surrender certificate has been granted and is available for issuance.	17​

You didnt receive any updates from purulator I guess. I am on tight schedule, it would be helpful if I receive the surrender within this week.
My timeline 2 days later March 1

 

[royce110]

Is it just me or every time I read this thread I am extremely confused because there seem to be 3 different topics being discussed simultaneously - Surrender, Visa & OCI

 

[dineshrehab]

Is it just me or every time I read this thread I am extremely confused because there seem to be 3 different topics being discussed simultaneously - Surrender, Visa & OCI

lol that is true.
Everyone wants to ultimately get to OCI but end up talking Surrender and BLS force us to get Entry visa....

 

[Nkrumah]

Is it just me or every time I read this thread I am extremely confused because there seem to be 3 different topics being discussed simultaneously - Surrender, Visa & OCI

You forgot the one topic that unites them all - BLS's notorious courier fees!

 

[funloving]

I just noticed that BLS had input a my phone # wrong. Its correct on my application but on the receipt that BLS gave me has a wrong phone number. Should I go back to them to correct it or let it go? I believe this would be for the Purolator guys?

BTW do you know that Purolator is owned by Canada Post?!?!? No wonder the service is like any governmental agency.

 

[funloving]

Is it just me or every time I read this thread I am extremely confused because there seem to be 3 different topics being discussed simultaneously - Surrender, Visa & OCI

That's why I asked a couple of times to have a separate OCI tread. This one is really messed up as this goes back 8 years and there is a lot of noise as well. But I guess the main problem is the PUROLATOR and BLS, while the OCI other things are fairly easier.

 

[funloving]

Hi @funloving - could you tell us more about your experience on walkin at Surrey? I guess you went without an appointment? Around what time? Did they allow you in just like that? And how much did you have to wait?

I had explained it to couple other people in DM. I thought I will share it on this thread.

"I went to BLS, I had an appointment (I got it before I received my citizenship certificate, Iuckily I had one open but I was not sure if that was an error, I believe it could have been) and I had never received an email confirmation from BLS with the confirmation #. BLS in Vancouver allows Surrender and OCI at the same time but other jurisdiction has different rules.

Since I didn't have the appointment but I explained the situation to security, they were not convinced but then I said that surrender does not need an appointment. So, I stood in line for about 1.5 hours for no appointment line.

Went to the front desk, they asked for the OCI appointment confirmation #, I explained the situation. She checked something on computer and said ok.

She checked both the applications and also all the documents.

She found a 1 mistake in OCI application, and also 1 mistake in surrender app (it is not a mistake but I didn't want to fight for that and miss my chance to apply, you how BLS can be).

So, I had to fill out the OCI and SC app again in the BLS office on the side on my phone. I spent another 1 hour filling out the apps.

After that I went again to the lady, she checked everything and it was ok. I waited for 30-40 mins for my turn. Paid about $565 total for OCI and SC for 1 person.

They check every document original passports, certificates.

They just take your Indian passport for surrendering. It will be back to you in 2-3 weeks.

The OCI she told should be in 5 weeks, I don't know if that will happen or not but that is what she told me. But take that with a pinch of salt. If you need urgent travel go for Visa app not OCI. and once you are back you can get the OCI. "

Hopefully, this would help.

Thanks,

 

[funloving]

I was told by BLS call center, that for Professional details, I need to upload just a self attested letter stating my job and Professional details. Is that not enough? Did they ask for company appointment/offer letter too?

I wrote a letter to Consulate General stating that I work at XYZ and position, address of employer, phone # etc. I also provided them with my latest paystub as a proof. They kept both the letter and the paystubs.

Thanks,

 

[vvarma]

I had explained it to couple other people in DM. I thought I will share it on this thread.

"I went to BLS, I had an appointment (I got it before I received my citizenship certificate, Iuckily I had one open but I was not sure if that was an error, I believe it could have been) and I had never received an email confirmation from BLS with the confirmation #. BLS in Vancouver allows Surrender and OCI at the same time but other jurisdiction has different rules.

Since I didn't have the appointment but I explained the situation to security, they were not convinced but then I said that surrender does not need an appointment. So, I stood in line for about 1.5 hours for no appointment line.

Went to the front desk, they asked for the OCI appointment confirmation #, I explained the situation. She checked something on computer and said ok.

She checked both the applications and also all the documents.

She found a 1 mistake in OCI application, and also 1 mistake in surrender app (it is not a mistake but I didn't want to fight for that and miss my chance to apply, you how BLS can be).

So, I had to fill out the OCI and SC app again in the BLS office on the side on my phone. I spent another 1 hour filling out the apps.

After that I went again to the lady, she checked everything and it was ok. I waited for 30-40 mins for my turn. Paid about $565 total for OCI and SC for 1 person.

They check every document original passports, certificates.

They just take your Indian passport for surrendering. It will be back to you in 2-3 weeks.

The OCI she told should be in 5 weeks, I don't know if that will happen or not but that is what she told me. But take that with a pinch of salt. If you need urgent travel go for Visa app not OCI. and once you are back you can get the OCI. "

Hopefully, this would help.

Thanks,

Thanks a ton for sharing your experience. If you don't mind, could you share what mistakes they found? I am getting my Passport by Thursday and thinking of Walk-in on Friday for Surrender + OCI. Don't know if they will simply turn me back. What do you think? You mentioned the "no-appointment" line - does that mean that they do accept walkins?

 

[funloving]

Thanks a ton for sharing your experience. If you don't mind, could you share what mistakes they found? I am getting my Passport by Thursday and thinking of Walk-in on Friday for Surrender + OCI. Don't know if they will simply turn me back. What do you think? You mentioned the "no-appointment" line - does that mean that they do accept walkins?

1. Mistake in OCI application was I filled out my Indian Passport details instead of Canadian one.
2. Mistake in Surrender Certificate, as I said that I had filled out these applications well before my citizen certificates, I of course at that time I didn't have my Canadian passport (which BTW is not required to file for surrendering). By the time I applied, I had got my Canadian passport (which is required for OCI). So they forced me to re fill the application.

For OCI you need an appointment but for Surrendering you don't. So, you could go and say that you are surrending your passport and also submit the OCI at the same time at the reception. Now, I don't know if they will accept your OCI without appointment but you can try, just say you have to submit both at the same time.

Hope this helps.

Thank you.

 

[vvarma]

1. Mistake in OCI application was I filled out my Indian Passport details instead of Canadian one.
2. Mistake in Surrender Certificate, as I said that I had filled out these applications well before my citizen certificates, I of course at that time I didn't have my Canadian passport (which BTW is not required to file for surrendering). By the time I applied, I had got my Canadian passport (which is required for OCI). So they forced me to re fill the application.

For OCI you need an appointment but for Surrendering you don't. So, you could go and say that you are surrending your passport and also submit the OCI at the same time at the reception. Now, I don't know if they will accept your OCI without appointment but you can try, just say you have to submit both at the same time.

Hope this helps.

Thank you.

Thanks for your responses! #2 is definitely a technicality and should have been passed.
Well....that does give me hope, I will try my luck with Vancouver on Friday morning.

 

[richieP]

My status on Passport Seva site changed to:

Surrender certificate has been granted and is available for issuance.

Status history:

Date	Status on BLS	Status on Passport Portal	Days since applied
2022-02-26​	N/A	Surrender Certificate application form has been submitted.
2022-03-01​	Processing at Consulate General	Passport application along with fee details have been received. The same is under processing at the Embassy/Consulate.	4​
2022-03-10​	Processing at Consulate General	Surrender certificate is under review at Indian Embassy/Consulate.	13​
2022-03-14​	Processing at Consulate General	Surrender certificate has been granted and is available for issuance.	17​

I have been stuck on this status for almost7 days now "Surrender certificate has been granted and is available for issuance."
I am not sure When will they issue (Or print the certificate ) and mail it. on the other note, I never received any email or text message from BLS. I did the postal application and paid the currier fees (Both ways). Does any one has any idea about that?

 

[royce110]

A

Thanks for your responses! #2 is definitely a technicality and should have been passed.
Well....that does give me hope, I will try my luck with Vancouver on Friday morning.

My colleague’s application was also returned due to Canadian Passport # missing.

Basically B(L)S will look for any pretext to return your application just so you can pay for postal fees again.

 

[ambikadas]

I had explained it to couple other people in DM. I thought I will share it on this thread.

"I went to BLS, I had an appointment (I got it before I received my citizenship certificate, Iuckily I had one open but I was not sure if that was an error, I believe it could have been) and I had never received an email confirmation from BLS with the confirmation #. BLS in Vancouver allows Surrender and OCI at the same time but other jurisdiction has different rules.

Since I didn't have the appointment but I explained the situation to security, they were not convinced but then I said that surrender does not need an appointment. So, I stood in line for about 1.5 hours for no appointment line.

Went to the front desk, they asked for the OCI appointment confirmation #, I explained the situation. She checked something on computer and said ok.

She checked both the applications and also all the documents.

She found a 1 mistake in OCI application, and also 1 mistake in surrender app (it is not a mistake but I didn't want to fight for that and miss my chance to apply, you how BLS can be).

So, I had to fill out the OCI and SC app again in the BLS office on the side on my phone. I spent another 1 hour filling out the apps.

After that I went again to the lady, she checked everything and it was ok. I waited for 30-40 mins for my turn. Paid about $565 total for OCI and SC for 1 person.

They check every document original passports, certificates.

They just take your Indian passport for surrendering. It will be back to you in 2-3 weeks.

The OCI she told should be in 5 weeks, I don't know if that will happen or not but that is what she told me. But take that with a pinch of salt. If you need urgent travel go for Visa app not OCI. and once you are back you can get the OCI. "

Hopefully, this would help.

Thanks,

my oci time line for vancouver

OCI application: walkin

Mission: vancouver

Application date : 7 february

oci website: 11 feb

Status: processed 3 march

printed and at Vancouver : 10 march



collect at ls edmonton today 14 march

 

[Mishti]

YW.

re. Your returned application, that is strange since my entire application was returned to me along with the passport and documents.

Hi Royce
Now that makes me worried. My initial package had gone through pre paid Purolator service. My online status on BLS says pending. Also BLS has a courier option to send pending document. Am wondering what should I do to find out. I did not receive any document. if they would send my documents back would they not update it to closed. In fact they even wrote the address on the status and asked to send the new Application