OCI process

[D3xt0r]

Hi everyone.

When I called BLS, they asked me to send original Canadian Passport and Original Citizenship Certificate for verification because I belong to the Ottawa Jurisdiction.

And other 2 BLS agents told me that only photo copies with self attestation is enough and the originals are not required since they changed the rule 7 days ago.

Could someone please confirm if I need to send any original documents?

Thanks a lot.

 

[sundeep_s_]

By sticker visas, you mean this? https://www.blsindia-canada.com/vancouver-jurisdiction/tourist-visa.php

No, by sticker visa he means this: https://www.blsindia-canada.com/vancouver-jurisdiction/entry-visa.php

Entry visa is almost the same as tourist visa except:
1. You should have been an Indian at some point in your life to get it.
2. You can stay in India for more than 6 months
3. You can extend it while in India via FRRO

 

[Craxyrider]

All OCIs are Blue. They used to be a darker shade of blue, for the past few years, they've been a slightly lighter shade of blue than the passport.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overseas_Citizenship_of_India

 

[Craxyrider]

Toronto/Brampton BLS?

GTA has this timeline now for OCI

 

[Craxyrider]

Gents,
RE Toronto Jurisdiction

I want to know the current processing times for Surrender Certificate in Toronto jurisdiction on average, have anyone applied recently and already received it?

About 1 week to 10 days if done in person for postal add 2 weeks more.

 

[Craxyrider]

BLS and the Indian gov portal show, that the e-visa/visitor visa for Candian passport holders are not permitted at the moment? Can't we get it any chance as OCI is taking the time currently?

ENTRY VISA is your best bet processing within a week

 

[Craxyrider]

Hi Experts, Can someone please help on how to get surrender certificate, the link and which option to select out of the below link ( if this is the correct link) https://passport.gov.in/nri/

https://portal3.passportindia.gov.in/Online/index.html

This is the link I use to to fill in my app for SC

 

[Craxyrider]

Hi everyone.

When I called BLS, they asked me to send original Canadian Passport and Original Citizenship Certificate for verification because I belong to the Ottawa Jurisdiction.

And other 2 BLS agents told me that only photo copies with self attestation is enough and the originals are not required since they changed the rule 7 days ago.

Could someone please confirm if I need to send any original documents?

Thanks a lot.

I would suggest you carry all docs to BLS office and do an in person submission. If you follow the website and customer care guys it will be confusing.

I did both SC and OCI in person to avoid this confusion after reading feedback from people in this forum thread and it was a breeze for both at BLS Brampton. Again, It totally depends on the local BLS office. In GTA Toronto asks you to submit originals whereas Brampton BLS does not, they only verified physically and gave them back they did not even ask to sign/attest anywhere on the Photo Copies. So it entirely depends on the local office in your area.

 

[Prez2015]

Hi Fellas,

I'm about to start the Surrender of Indian passport and OCI applications process.

My current status: Canadian citizen as of 29-Jun-2022, received Citizenship certificate and applied for Canadian passport , will be getting the passport on Aug 4th . I have travel plans to India on October last week, so would like to start the surrender and OCI process right away.
I have following questions, would be great if anyone can clarify these .

1. Is Canadian passport mandatory for Surrender and OCI ? I read somewhere if we provide the explanation that Canadian passport is not available or in process , we could still go ahead with Surrender and OCI ,is that right?
2. Also considering the processing time , will I be getting OCI before October last week or should I proceed with visitor visa instead of OCI?
3. Can I complete Surrender and OCI submission on same day or require another BLS visit?
4. Is appointments necessary for BLS ? can I just walk in ?
5. Is every family member required to present in BLS , one person with required authorization is enough submit applications for all family members?

I always had issue with BTS be it passport renewal or PCC eventually ended up with multiple visits, would like to get it right first time .
so looking for inputs and do's and don'ts. If this questions /process was already explained , please point me to the link.

Thanks in Advance.. Have a great weekend everyone

 

[Jakev]

Hi Fellas,

I'm about to start the Surrender of Indian passport and OCI applications process.

My current status: Canadian citizen as of 29-Jun-2022, received Citizenship certificate and applied for Canadian passport , will be getting the passport on Aug 4th . I have travel plans to India on October last week, so would like to start the surrender and OCI process right away.
I have following questions, would be great if anyone can clarify these .

1. Is Canadian passport mandatory for Surrender and OCI ? I read somewhere if we provide the explanation that Canadian passport is not available or in process , we could still go ahead with Surrender and OCI ,is that right?
2. Also considering the processing time , will I be getting OCI before October last week or should I proceed with visitor visa instead of OCI?
3. Can I complete Surrender and OCI submission on same day or require another BLS visit?
4. Is appointments necessary for BLS ? can I just walk in ?
5. Is every family member required to present in BLS , one person with required authorization is enough submit applications for all family members?

I always had issue with BTS be it passport renewal or PCC eventually ended up with multiple visits, would like to get it right first time .
so looking for inputs and do's and don'ts. If this questions /process was already explained , please point me to the link.

Thanks in Advance.. Have a great weekend everyone

Surrender is possible without a Canadian passport. You’d have to write a letter and sign with the date (so does your spouse with his/her signature). The whole process takes only a week albeit they will say it would take 6-8 weeks lol. This was in Brampton and I applied last Friday in person and got the message that it’s been dispatched (should receive it on Monday).

For OCI you need the surrender certificate, and there’s no two ways about this.
Suggest you to apply for an entry visa parallely to get it done for your upcoming travels.

 

[Prez2015]

Surrender is possible without a Canadian passport. You’d have to write a letter and sign with the date (so does your spouse with his/her signature). The whole process takes only a week albeit they will say it would take 6-8 weeks lol. This was in Brampton and I applied last Friday in person and got the message that it’s been dispatched (should receive it on Monday).

For OCI you need the surrender certificate, and there’s no two ways about this.
Suggest you to apply for an entry visa parallely to get it done for your upcoming travels.

Thanks for the response, just like to know if every family member is required to present or one person can submit all the docs for entire family?

 

[Jakev]

Thanks for the response, just like to know if every family member is required to present or one person can submit all the docs for entire family?

One person can do the job - like I said in my previous post, you’d need signatures of your spouse on the self-declaration, forms, and self-attested copies.

 

[Jakev]

Gents,
RE Toronto Jurisdiction

I want to know the current processing times for Surrender Certificate in Toronto jurisdiction on average, have anyone applied recently and already received it?

I did it last Saturday and it’s just 4/5 days to get the certificate should you wish to pick it up in person from BLS.

 

[alexpolis007]

Gents,
RE Toronto Jurisdiction

I want to know the current processing times for Surrender Certificate in Toronto jurisdiction on average, have anyone applied recently and already received it?

i did it recently...

took 1 week to receive Surrender certificate
and 6 weeks to receive OCI card

 

[crips]

Hello All, submitted my baby's OCI application via walk-in to Toronto BLS today. 24th in line when I reached at 7.15AM. It appeared that Saturdays are better for walk-ins than weekdays as only until 13th walk-in person was allowed inside on Friday. Entered the office at 12.30 PM. Missed taking my COPR copy and ended up taking a printout of it at nearby internet cafe. Still held my position inside the office afterwards. Had to pay 73$ as BLS processing fee. Was told birth cert original will arrive via courier in 2 weeks and OCI will arrive in 6-8 weeks. Now we wait...