OCI process

[ravich]

1. The national identification number field as I recall is not mandatory (Does not have an asterisk) and hence can be left blank.
I did that for my minors application.

2. Previous passport number would be if the person has a previous Canadian passport.
Its NOT the cancelled Indian passport number.

3. Yup, bls is flexible with thumbprints for babies.

4. Yes, please fill in mandatory declaration for the baby, even though it doesn’t make sense. They took the document while submitting minor application.
I also added parents additional declaration to the application and that was apparently required (as per the person accepting the application at bls)

Hope it helps !

Below is what mentioned by other member to mention Indian passport number (cancelled) in place of previous passport. Not sure, which way to go. can some one clarify ?

DRAJPUT said:
Hey guys, I have submitted my OCI application today at BLS ottawa center. I did not took the premium service. This forum helped me in preparing well for my application. This is my first visit at BLS center for OCI application and I am very satisfied that I got success in first attempt..hahahaha

Here is my experience at BLS ottawa:

Signature should match the one in your Canadian passport.

For Birth Mark: Put NONE if you dont have any. DONT put NA.

For previous passport section: Put your Indian Passport number (I know it sounds weird).

Dont forget to upload and print out of COPR. Note: BLS has updated the checklist in last 15 days. I have checklist which I downloaded in April that one doesn't have COPR mentioned in it. The latest one as COPR in the list. Make sure you always look for latest check list at BLS website.

For photograph: Make sure you have some white space above your head your head should not touch the border of the photo.

For voter id: Dont forget to take printout of form7 acknowledgement. If you have full status of your form 7 take print out of that as well. They wont accept the search result for EPIC card which shows NO record found.

Ottawa BLS has updated OCI declaration form, make sure you use the latest declaration form. This form ask for voter id number and ration card number. Please fill "NEVER APPLIED" if the blank space if you never held voter id or ration card.

Make sure to take your spouse passport copy if you are married and providing their information in your application.

The rule of thumb: any information that you put in the form, and I literally mean any info, they need supporting document to verify that information.

Even for section which ask for Relative name and address in india, make sure you carry a copy of their documents which has their name and address.The address field is small, you can fill the address till it fits and dont worry about the remaining address.

In case your spouse is applying immediately after you, she dont need to provide your application number in their application. I called BLS agent and they confirmed same. My wife submitted her application right after me and they did not create any issues about this. Her application was also accepted.

DO NOT MISS ANY DOCUMENT MENTIONED IN BLS CHECKLIST.

You need to upload all the documents mentioned in the checklist. I know there is no option to upload some documents, you need to make a single copy of multiple documents and upload together.
BLS guys wont know what you have uploades, but they will provide a letter and you will need to declare on it that you have uploaded all the documents.

Thats it!!
All the best.
Note: This is my experience at BLS ottawa, other BLS center may expect different info in different fields ( I know it sounds weird) pls call you local BLS office and confirm.

 

[Sijo Joseph]

Hi…..

Thank you so much for all your help and support.

Here is the timeline for my Baby’s OCI process (newborn in Canada)

Application (Walk-in at Brampton- through Premium Lounge service, CAD 100.00) : 09-APR-2025


As per https://ociservices.gov.in/onlineOCI/statusEnqury

Date Of Acknowledgment : 29-APR-2025

Granted on : 21-MAY-2025



As per https://www.blsindia-canada.com/toronto-jurisdiction/track-application.php

Counter Delivery to BLS Centre after OCI stamping : 02-Jun-2025

Passport ready For Collection after OCI stamping : 03-Jun-2025


Received at home (London-ON) : 04-Jun-2025


Thank you all… Wish you all the best…

 

[Emmemm07]

Below is what mentioned by other member to mention Indian passport number (cancelled) in place of previous passport. Not sure, which way to go. can some one clarify ?

DRAJPUT said:
Hey guys, I have submitted my OCI application today at BLS ottawa center. I did not took the premium service. This forum helped me in preparing well for my application. This is my first visit at BLS center for OCI application and I am very satisfied that I got success in first attempt..hahahaha

Here is my experience at BLS ottawa:

Signature should match the one in your Canadian passport.

For Birth Mark: Put NONE if you dont have any. DONT put NA.

For previous passport section: Put your Indian Passport number (I know it sounds weird).

Dont forget to upload and print out of COPR. Note: BLS has updated the checklist in last 15 days. I have checklist which I downloaded in April that one doesn't have COPR mentioned in it. The latest one as COPR in the list. Make sure you always look for latest check list at BLS website.

For photograph: Make sure you have some white space above your head your head should not touch the border of the photo.

For voter id: Dont forget to take printout of form7 acknowledgement. If you have full status of your form 7 take print out of that as well. They wont accept the search result for EPIC card which shows NO record found.

Ottawa BLS has updated OCI declaration form, make sure you use the latest declaration form. This form ask for voter id number and ration card number. Please fill "NEVER APPLIED" if the blank space if you never held voter id or ration card.

Make sure to take your spouse passport copy if you are married and providing their information in your application.

The rule of thumb: any information that you put in the form, and I literally mean any info, they need supporting document to verify that information.

Even for section which ask for Relative name and address in india, make sure you carry a copy of their documents which has their name and address.The address field is small, you can fill the address till it fits and dont worry about the remaining address.

In case your spouse is applying immediately after you, she dont need to provide your application number in their application. I called BLS agent and they confirmed same. My wife submitted her application right after me and they did not create any issues about this. Her application was also accepted.

DO NOT MISS ANY DOCUMENT MENTIONED IN BLS CHECKLIST.

You need to upload all the documents mentioned in the checklist. I know there is no option to upload some documents, you need to make a single copy of multiple documents and upload together.
BLS guys wont know what you have uploades, but they will provide a letter and you will need to declare on it that you have uploaded all the documents.

Thats it!!
All the best.
Note: This is my experience at BLS ottawa, other BLS center may expect different info in different fields ( I know it sounds weird) pls call you local BLS office and confirm.

I can confirm that a close family friend of mine had to pay bls money for correction when they entered Indian passport number in previous passport number field.
I didn’t have to pay for any correction and the application was accepted.

The same can be confirmed by this video:

That being said, bls operates in mysterious ways so don’t know why/how the application was accepted but my friends wasn’t.

 

[krunal2904]

Submitted (Postal) - 11 April; Reached Consulate on 15 April; Date of Acknowledgement was 03 May; Granted 27 May

Submitted (Walk-In) - 16 April
Date Of Acknowledgement - 9 May
Granted - May 30

 

[International-2924]

Status on OCI Tracker shows Granted - 27/MAY/2025
BLS Tracker - Under Process at Consulate General

Let me know if you get any update, my oci tracker shows granted on 28 May 2025

 

[Optimistic11]

Hey everyone applied for my child OCI at halifax walkin office on April 19th . Where do you all checking the status - like printing, dispatched ,etc.. , in bls it is still showing processing under consulate. In OCI website , it got granted 1 day ago. When can i expect my OCI card ?

 

[harryguns]

Hello,
I am filling up OCI application for my newborn and had few questions.
1. For the birthmark, can I put as "NONE" ?
2. For document upload, it shows to upload the Proof of Present citizenship, Evidence of address and Minor child whose parents are Citizen of India. What documents have to be uploaded? Me and my wife, both have OCI now (both of us were Indian nationality earlier)
3. I have booked an in-person appointment under my name at BLS Toronto, will they allow ?

 

[d13]

Congratulations! Must feel like a huge weight off you, I know I felt that way !
Makes us wonder, if they are making up these excuses to make things more difficult.

Today I checked on BLS website tracking it show me processing at consulate general..but on OCi it shows pending..can you tell me what is your tracking update?

 

[d13]

How we get acknowledgement for OCI?? Do they email?

 

[Emmemm07]

Today I checked on BLS website tracking it show me processing at consulate general..but on OCi it shows pending..can you tell me what is your tracking update?

It’s the same for me. Based on the timelines shared, I’m assuming it takes roughly three weeks from application submission until acknowledgement and another three weeks until it gets granted.
Another couple of days for it to be ready for pick up / show up in mail.

 

[d13]

It’s the same for me. Based on the timelines shared, I’m assuming it takes roughly three weeks from application submission until acknowledgement and another three weeks until it gets granted.
Another couple of days for it to be ready for pick up / show up in mail.

How we get acknowledgement?

 

[zeninmaking]

I too would like to know what this acknowledgement is. So far, I have only seen "Processing at Consulate General" on BLS tracker and "Under Process" on OCI status page as the statuses. How does one get acknowledgement?
My submission dates are 24 April, 2025 (postal) for my application and 28th April, 2025 (walk-in) for my kid's.
Thank you!

 

[DRAJPUT]

Hello,
I am filling up OCI application for my newborn and had few questions.
1. For the birthmark, can I put as "NONE" ?
2. For document upload, it shows to upload the Proof of Present citizenship, Evidence of address and Minor child whose parents are Citizen of India. What documents have to be uploaded? Me and my wife, both have OCI now (both of us were Indian nationality earlier)
3. I have booked an in-person appointment under my name at BLS Toronto, will they allow ?

Put NONE for birth mark.

I can confirm that a close family friend of mine had to pay bls money for correction when they entered Indian passport number in previous passport number field.
I didn’t have to pay for any correction and the application was accepted.

The same can be confirmed by this video:

That being said, bls operates in mysterious ways so don’t know why/how the application was accepted but my friends wasn’t.

If you look at a comment from that video, you fill find out that at Ottawa centre they want you to write your cancelled indian passport number as previous passport number.

 

[DRAJPUT]

Hello,
I am filling up OCI application for my newborn and had few questions.
1. For the birthmark, can I put as "NONE" ?
2. For document upload, it shows to upload the Proof of Present citizenship, Evidence of address and Minor child whose parents are Citizen of India. What documents have to be uploaded? Me and my wife, both have OCI now (both of us were Indian nationality earlier)
3. I have booked an in-person appointment under my name at BLS Toronto, will they allow ?

Put NONE.
Make sure you have provided your and your wife's OCI application number in your kid's OCI application.
what did you put in: Relationship with the Root Indian??

 

[d13]

I too would like to know what this acknowledgement is. So far, I have only seen "Processing at Consulate General" on BLS tracker and "Under Process" on OCI status page as the statuses. How does one get acknowledgement?
My submission dates are 24 April, 2025 (postal) for my application and 28th April, 2025 (walk-in) for my kid's.
Thank you!

When did you get update as under process on OCi tracker??