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I have a question. If I become a citizen of Canada and but I didn't apply for the passport yet. Can I use the Indian passport to travel then?
 
mickeyindia said:
Yes they asked me to track the initial OCI application tracking number that BLS has given (not one from consulate) in BLS website. Currently it shows I have submitted passport for OCI stamp.
Also i requested for pick up as BLS is a block from my work. But if you have paid for courier i believe you will get in courier.

Thanks mickeyindia!
 
sinpguy said:
I have a question. If I become a citizen of Canada and but I didn't apply for the passport yet. Can I use the Indian passport to travel then?

Not 100% sure.. but if incase you have used it after acquiring Canadian citizenship, there might be penalty while applying for Surrender/OCI process.

Check the BLS site:

http://www.blsindia-canada.com/renunciation_ppt.php

The Mission/Consulate would levy penalty if the Indian passport has not been cancelled for more than 3 years, or if it was utilized to visit India or any other consular service was obtained after acquiring foreign nationality. The penalty would be in addition to the Renunciation Fee. Following are the provisions relating to penalty:

1. Penalty for retention of Indian passport after acquiring Canadian citizenship for a period in excess of three years from the date of acquiring Canadian citizenship
a) If your Passport expired on or before 31 December, 2004 - no penalty
b) If your passport expired on or after 1 January, 2005 - C$ 343
(Note: Retention Penalty (C$343) is different from Renunciation Fee (C$ 240). The latter needs to be paid by those who acquire foreign nationality on or after 1 June, 2010.)
2. Penalty for travelling on Indian Passport after acquiring Canadian citizenship is C$ 343 for each time, subject to a maximum of C$ 1711
3. Penalty for getting Indian Passport renewed or re-issued after acquiring Canadian citizenship is C$ 856 for each such renewal or reissue.
4. Penalty for obtaining any miscellaneous passport service (name change, etc.) on Indian Passport after acquiring Canadian citizenship is C$ 343 for each such service.
 
email2kale said:
Not 100% sure.. but if incase you have used it after acquiring Canadian citizenship, there might be penalty while applying for Surrender/OCI process.

Check the BLS site:

http://www.blsindia-canada.com/renunciation_ppt.php

The Mission/Consulate would levy penalty if the Indian passport has not been cancelled for more than 3 years, or if it was utilized to visit India or any other consular service was obtained after acquiring foreign nationality. The penalty would be in addition to the Renunciation Fee. Following are the provisions relating to penalty:

1. Penalty for retention of Indian passport after acquiring Canadian citizenship for a period in excess of three years from the date of acquiring Canadian citizenship
a) If your Passport expired on or before 31 December, 2004 - no penalty
b) If your passport expired on or after 1 January, 2005 - C$ 343
(Note: Retention Penalty (C$343) is different from Renunciation Fee (C$ 240). The latter needs to be paid by those who acquire foreign nationality on or after 1 June, 2010.)
2. Penalty for travelling on Indian Passport after acquiring Canadian citizenship is C$ 343 for each time, subject to a maximum of C$ 1711
3. Penalty for getting Indian Passport renewed or re-issued after acquiring Canadian citizenship is C$ 856 for each such renewal or reissue.
4. Penalty for obtaining any miscellaneous passport service (name change, etc.) on Indian Passport after acquiring Canadian citizenship is C$ 343 for each such service.

Thanks email2kale
 
My timeline:

Acknowledgement 8-APR-2015
Documents Printing Status PROCESSED On 12-MAY-2015
Dispatched From MOIA (OCI ) NEW DELHI On 13-MAY-2015
Document received At TORONTO On
 
mickeyindia said:
Yes they asked me to track the initial OCI application tracking number that BLS has given (not one from consulate) in BLS website. Currently it shows I have submitted passport for OCI stamp.
Also i requested for pick up as BLS is a block from my work. But if you have paid for courier i believe you will get in courier.

Hi mickeyindia - I have submitted our passports this morning and looking at BLS website to see the status using OCI application tracking... but it shows all the details of its initial submission status ie 2 months back old status(no new updated status). Is it the same for you too??? or am I missing something?
 
email2kale said:
Hi mickeyindia - I have submitted our passports this morning and looking at BLS website to see the status using OCI application tracking... but it shows all the details of its initial submission status ie 2 months back old status(no new updated status). Is it the same for you too??? or am I missing something?

May be they are just working on your update. I remember seeing the details updated on their website couple of hours after passport submission.

You should see the latest update.
this is what I see providing BLS OCI tracking number and other details.

Application Status Original documents Delivered by Hand
(Counter Delivery to BLS Centre after OCI stamping)

Just give sometime, if not try calling their helpline (You may have to call more than once because most of the agents don't have common sense)
 
mickeyindia said:
May be they are just working on your update. I remember seeing the details updated on their website couple of hours after passport submission.

You should see the latest update.
this is what I see providing BLS OCI tracking number and other details.

Application Status Original documents Delivered by Hand
(Counter Delivery to BLS Centre after OCI stamping)

Just give sometime, if not try calling their helpline (You may have to call more than once because most of the agents don't have common sense)

Thanks mickeyindia! I was able to get the status in evening in BLS site as:

Application Status :
Original documents Dispatched via courier
(In Transit from BLS Centre to High Commission/Consulate General for OCI stamping)
 
email2kale said:
Thanks mickeyindia! I was able to get the status in evening in BLS site as:

Application Status :
Original documents Dispatched via courier
(In Transit from BLS Centre to High Commission/Consulate General for OCI stamping)

Today's online status:

Application Status :
Original documents Dispatched via courier
(Processing at Consulate General/High Commission for OCI stamping)
 
I got my child's passport with OCI sticker and OCI card yesterday from BLS.
Finally it all came it time before the travel..
Good luck for you guys.. i can't believe they keep under the promise of 42 days :)
 
mickeyindia said:
I got my child's passport with OCI sticker and OCI card yesterday from BLS.
Finally it all came it time before the travel..
Good luck for you guys.. i can't believe they keep under the promise of 42 days :)

That was quick! Good Luck & Happy Travel.
 
Finally received our passports back with sticker & the OCI cards by hand at BLS.

Thanks everyone! and wish you all the best in your OCI process. Feeling better now... :)

(Note: As on today, all the adults have to be present at BLS to collect their submitted passport or an authorization letter will also do)
 
So BLS took my original Canadian passport when I applied in April and said it will be returned via mail with the sticker the website shows -
Documents Printing Status PROCESSED On 11-MAY-2015
Dispatched From MOIA (OCI ) NEW DELHI On 12-MAY-2015
Document received At VANCOUVER On 15-MAY-2015

but BLS status site shows in process, does anyone know how long it will take for the passport and OCI to be sent to me
 
OCI timeline for myself.. Toronto office..

Date of Acknowledgement 27-MAR-2015
Documents Printing Status PROCESSED On 28-APR-2015
Dispatched From MOIA (OCI ) NEW DELHI On 06-MAY-2015
Document received At TORONTO On 13-MAY-2015

Passport submitted, BLS: 14-MAY-2015
Passport Received with U-Visa and OCI Book, BLS: 22-MAY-2015
 
BLS took original Canadian passport when I applied in April and said it will be returned via mail with the sticker the website shows -
Applied at Edmonton office April 14, file reached Vancouver April 17
Until May 10 file on Website showed In process
Documents Printing Status PROCESSED On 11-MAY-2015
Dispatched From MOIA (OCI ) NEW DELHI On 12-MAY-2015
Document received At VANCOUVER On 15-MAY-2015
OCI with passport and original papers received - 26-MAY-2015