OCI process

[rajkamalmohanram]

Hey guys,

Was on the phone with BLS Brampton today, and they said that there is a new rule issued today, which states that you cannot apply for OCI and Surrender Certificate together.

From now on, surrender certificate needs to be attained before applying for OCI. This won't affect applications made prior to today, but from today onwards that's the new rule apparently.

I was going to apply for both of them together but due to the new rule can only do one at a time.

Just thought I'd let everyone know about this, and incase anyone is in the same boat, if they can confirm this with their experience/interaction with BLS that'd be great!

This is just dumb. I mean, what the hell. There was something good about the process where you can apply for both together and save time but that one good thing is also gone... This just sucks.

 

[raghu19]

Hi I'm planning to apply OCI for my newborn. Do they need marriage certificate certified by MEA and CGI? Thanks

I'm also going to apply for surrender certificate and OCI for myself only (I'm Indian citizen and spouse is Indian citizen too). Do i need to submit our birth certificates in that case if I already have Indian passports? Thanks

You don't need attestation from MEA and CGI if you are married in India. Just submit the marriage certificate from India. You need to get it attested if you are married in Canada though.

I'm not sure about Birth certificate as I did not apply for Surrender/OCI for myself.

 

[sumg]

The BLS agent on the phone mentioned it would take approximately 3 weeks for the surrender certificate to arrive. Can arrive little later as well. Some people seem to have gotten it after the 3 week time frame as well..

Thank you. I am guessing on applying for the surrender, we will be given a receipt. We can then use the receipt to apply for evisa or emergency visa should the need arise for an emergency travel.
Not being able to travel to India if the need arises gives me nightmares!

 

[sumg]

This is just dumb. I mean, what the hell. There was something good about the process where you can apply for both together and save time but that one good thing is also gone... This just sucks.

Exactly, instead of making a cumbersome process simpler, they are hell bent on making it all the more difficult!

 

[lifein360]

Thank you. I am guessing on applying for the surrender, we will be given a receipt. We can then use the receipt to apply for evisa or emergency visa should the need arise for an emergency travel.
Not being able to travel to India if the need arises gives me nightmares!

Yes. I think this is the right approach if it’s Important. Apply for surrender and entry visa together and you’ll get visa in a week. Best option for urgent travel.

 

[sumg]

Yes. I think this is the right approach if it’s Important. Apply for surrender and entry visa together and you’ll get visa in a week. Best option for urgent travel.

Thank you..

 

[sharadsinha]

BLS NIGHTMARE is over. Such INCOMPETENT and broken process and people . Had to go in person to collect OCI.

Below is just one example of many, throughout passport surrender and OCI process.

Status was showing "Ready for collection after OCI stamping" for 4 days" and on calling BLS yesterday for status, their agents were saying, its "processing at consulate general".
I got worried and called again and they asked to check with UPS courier company who sent the return label OR take their service to send the packet. I even went on to call the courier services only to understand the negligence of BLS agents.
next call, agent asked to collect in person followed by a next agent who shared the same status "processing at consulate general" and asked me to wait for few more days.
I had to push very hard this time to make my point so they can re-check with their team lead. After 30 minutes of call, they got back and asked me to go in person.

I went in person and to my surprise, BLS center agents in Brampton also could not find the details of the return envelop. They checked for some more time and at last, sigh of relief when I saw my OCI.

--My experience is ""don't trust one BLS call center agent rather re-confirm with more agents or this forum is much much better than BLS for queries.

We all should write the MEA to change it and hire a more professional agency. In USA it changes every year.

 

[Robbssiee]

We all should write the MEA to change it and hire a more professional agency. In USA it changes every year.

I agree, if there is a portal or a form anywhere we can collectively write to the MEA and voice our opinions it might change for the better , we will most likely be finished with the process before any positive change comes in , but maybe our actions can help the future generations and they dont have to deal with the same BS we did also maybe BLS tightens its ship after losing the contract for a year or 2

please let everyone know here if someone finds a way to write to MEA or to get this noticed in anyway.

 

[imm01]

I agree, if there is a portal or a form anywhere we can collectively write to the MEA and voice our opinions it might change for the better , we will most likely be finished with the process before any positive change comes in , but maybe our actions can help the future generations and they dont have to deal with the same BS we did also maybe BLS tightens its ship after losing the contract for a year or 2

please let everyone know here if someone finds a way to write to MEA or to get this noticed in anyway.

There are lot of grievances against BLS Toronto, just look at the posts in this forum itself and it speaks volume
One of the most common concern is forcing people to pay for the courier services even if somebody doesn't want it.I have heard a recent case where the lady at counter # 3 (BLS Toronto) said due to pandemic, pick up service is not available and he was forced to pay $65 courier charges for an OCI application. This is gross and extortion, some people who vehemently opposes this courier services are allowed to pick up their documents though.


While applying for OCI and passport surrender together, I don't understand why they charge 3x courier charges, the oci booklet,indian passport, surrender certificate and the original document can be couriered in the same single package. Also, retention of one original document is another means to extort money, in BLS website it clearly says that originals are not required to be submitted along with the application for Toronto jurisdiction, it should however be brought for verification only. I have read in one post in this thread itself, where the person did not carry original COPR, and they kept his original citizenship certificate. Isn't it grotesque? They did it just to extort money in the name of courier charges. While BLS Brampton doesn't retain any original, don't really understand why BLS Toronto has a different set of rules, both locations are in Ontario itself.


This malpractices are ongoing and we need to raise our voice to stop it. One option is to file a class action lawsuit against BLS Toronto for extortion in the name of courier charges,if anybody reading this post knows the process, would request to provide some pointers. We can also collectively submit a complaint in a small claims court, unless no action is taken by suffering public, these kind of malpractices would continue. Another option is to write to MEA, but not sure how seriously it would be taken, and I am sure people might have already tried this escalation path.
But I must also say that the behaviour of their staff at Toronto location has improved compared to 5 years ago, but extortion in the name of courier charges continues....

 

[nila001]

There are lot of grievances against BLS Toronto, just look at the posts in this forum itself and it speaks volume
One of the most common concern is forcing people to pay for the courier services even if somebody doesn't want it.I have heard a recent case where the lady at counter # 3 (BLS Toronto) said due to pandemic, pick up service is not available and he was forced to pay $65 courier charges for an OCI application. This is gross and extortion, some people who vehemently opposes this courier services are allowed to pick up their documents though.


While applying for OCI and passport surrender together, I don't understand why they charge 3x courier charges, the oci booklet,indian passport, surrender certificate and the original document can be couriered in the same single package. Also, retention of one original document is another means to extort money, in BLS website it clearly says that originals are not required to be submitted along with the application for Toronto jurisdiction, it should however be brought for verification only. I have read in one post in this thread itself, where the person did not carry original COPR, and they kept his original citizenship certificate. Isn't it grotesque? They did it just to extort money in the name of courier charges. While BLS Brampton doesn't retain any original, don't really understand why BLS Toronto has a different set of rules, both locations are in Ontario itself.


This malpractices are ongoing and we need to raise our voice to stop it. One option is to file a class action lawsuit against BLS Toronto for extortion in the name of courier charges,if anybody reading this post knows the process, would request to provide some pointers. We can also collectively submit a complaint in a small claims court, unless no action is taken by suffering public, these kind of malpractices would continue. Another option is to write to MEA, but not sure how seriously it would be taken, and I am sure people might have already tried this escalation path.
But I must also say that the behaviour of their staff at Toronto location has improved compared to 5 years ago, but extortion in the name of courier charges continues....

I so agree to this. They kept my citizenship certificate too. I argued for 10 mins showing them the website says no need to keep originals and they said then we would mark your application incomplete. What a joke! I am quite panicked till I receive it in courier honestly provided level of professionalism they portray. I am 100% on this if anyone is submitting any complaint. I will join too so please let just all of us know.

 

[lifein360]

Hi guys,

As I understand with the new rules, if we are getting a new OCI at an age older than 20, you no longer need to get an OCI renewal right? Only update details on the OCI site

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Hi guys,

As I understand with the new rules, if we are getting a new OCI at an age older than 20, you no longer need to get an OCI renewal right? Only update details on the OCI site

You'll still have to upload the information online when you get your Canadian passport renewed when you're 50 years old.

 

[jansh]

Does anyone know if this change with Surrender and OCI application is carried to Surrender and Visa applications too? I mean if we can still apply for surrender and visa together or has that changed too?

 

[yourr.grace]

While filing for the OCI, i had opted the courier option for both pickup and drop.
ques1: Can I pick it up from the BLS centre personally and not avail the courier service now?
ques2: Also, how do i know which BLS centre, Brampton or Toronto, will it be for me to pick up.

Location: Toronto
Sent the OCI application to: Mississuaga address mentioned on shipping label
BLs received the pkg by purolator: 13th Oct
Date of application: 19th Oct
Date of Acknowledgement: 29th Oct
Status: counter delivery to BLS centre after OCI stamping (i always had this status, it is incorrect)

I am hoping the OCI to be processed in a couple of day going by the timelines of other folks. Waiting for it to be delivered by courier can jeopardize my travel plans. Kindly assist.

 

[viperD]

Yes. I think this is the right approach if it’s Important. Apply for surrender and entry visa together and you’ll get visa in a week. Best option for urgent travel.

Hi,

Do you know which Visa we go for and what will be the validity on it?