OCI process

[eager]

Hello Everyone,

I am just beginning to start with this whole surrender certificate / OCI process and had a question:

How difficult is it to apply in person at the BLS office in Toronto? Is there a long line up and is the chance of being turned away high?

I am inclined to apply via mail to avoid the whole line up at the office but I am not sure as the process can be unpredictable and am afraid my application may get returned after a few weeks in case some document is missing.

Any inputs would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hi, I was at BLS Toronto centre today for my surrender certificate form submission. Though I had a prior appointment, there was a big line up for the walk ins. People reached the centre as early as 5am to be first in the line. A security person at the center was creating a list of walk-in on first come first serve basis. After every few appointments, one walk-in is sent in. People were being turned away if they reached the centre post 11:00am as already waiting candidate list was too long. They only operate from 9;00am -12;00pm so if you are an early riser and can make it to the centre like between 6-9am you might have a chance but the wait is too much. They have four counters operating but super slow because of the verification and data entry that they need to do with each application. If you have a small mistake in your form , you will need to redo it . There is a internet cafe next door but that means you need to line up all over again one you are ready with the updated form. Or else come back another time.
Let me know if you have any further questions.

 

[eager]

Also for the surrender certificate: do we need to submit originals of the Canadian citizenship certificate and Canadian passport or would copies suffice?

I am planning to apply by mail.

Only copy or Canadian Citizenship , you need to carry the originals to show them at the counter. Canadian passport again copies but carry original with you.

Hope this helps.

 

[ms453]

Only original India Passport everything else just copies

Great perfect thank you!

 

[ms453]

Hi, I was at BLS Toronto centre today for my surrender certificate form submission. Though I had a prior appointment, there was a big line up for the walk ins. People reached the centre as early as 5am to be first in the line. A security person at the center was creating a list of walk-in on first come first serve basis. After every few appointments, one walk-in is sent in. People were being turned away if they reached the centre post 11:00am as already waiting candidate list was too long. They only operate from 9;00am -12;00pm so if you are an early riser and can make it to the centre like between 6-9am you might have a chance but the wait is too much. They have four counters operating but super slow because of the verification and data entry that they need to do with each application. If you have a small mistake in your form , you will need to redo it . There is a internet cafe next door but that means you need to line up all over again one you are ready with the updated form. Or else come back another time.
Let me know if you have any further questions.

Great this is very helpful! Mail in it is

 

[ms453]

Only copy or Canadian Citizenship , you need to carry the originals to show them at the counter. Canadian passport again copies but carry original with you.

Hope this helps.

Great thank you! Appreciate it!

 

[Edifytech]

I live near Windsor. I plan to mail in the surrender and interim visa application next week.

 

[Risabh_Canada]

in document upload section . Do we need to upload Spouse OCI Card and marriage ceriticate even we are not applying on basis of spouse . Applying for self ?

 

[Craxyrider]

Great this is very helpful! Mail in it is

Well make sure to triple check you documentation otherwise they will make you pay for the postal again if there is any mistake. My friend ended up paying 3 times for courier for PCC service that was almost $ 240 + the application fee. For no reason. I would still recommend for an in-person submission at least you get a chance to re-submit which happened with me for SC last month on 6th April 2022. I had a few errors in my application the staff member at the counter req. met to redo the whole thing and return before 1:30 PM this was at Brampton BLS location it is open until 2 PM. They accepted my application it was completed and I received my cancelled passport along with SC yesterday. It was ready for pickup on 11 May 2022. It was an in person pick-up at Brampton BLS again it depends on the location you opt for.

 

[dushyant2809]

in document upload section . Do we need to upload Spouse OCI Card and marriage ceriticate even we are not applying on basis of spouse . Applying for self ?

yes. Even if the website say not required, still do it.
i was forced to upload all these at the counter itself using my mobile.

Also attach a copy of landing paper of both and since your spouse is OCI so status is clear else if it was PR then PR copy.

 

[akbardxb]

Agree with this 100%

For the OCI in-person application - the lady at the counter literally took the indian surrendered passport and directly put that in a brown envelope and stapled it in front of me.

Yesterday I got the EXACT SAME envelope with no changes to the stapling or anything different containing the original indian surrendered passport via PUROLATOR for which I was made to pay CAD 60+!

Which means, I was made to pay for a PUROLATOR courier for JUST the surrender passport to be sent back to me from BLS.

Such a waste of money and shitty way to cheat people. This is bonkers.

I wonder if anyone has complained to MEA and/or the Indian mission in Canada about this daylight robbery. They are selling appointments for $15 each and then you have to opt for the drop off service. Between my wife and me, it means two appointments, two applications, two separate couriers apart from the service cost of visa / OCI. The only reason I would want to get an OCI is never to deal with BLS again. I wish they would reinstate e-visa. There would be no need to even surrender your passport then. (Maybe that is the reason they have discontinued the option.)

 

[alexpolis007]

hi all,

what is the timeline for surrendering Indian passport after receiving citizenship ? I don't have any travel plans for 2-3 yrs.
And i was hoping I can surrender passport after 2-3 yrs. will there be any issue or charges for not surrendering passport. (just an FYI; I will not travel with Indian passport in the meantime, its just that i don't want to spend immediately on surrendering Indian passport, i rather do it when there is a need to travel to India and apply for OCI)

 

[Risabh_Canada]

yes. Even if the website say not required, still do it.
i was forced to upload all these at the counter itself using my mobile.

Also attach a copy of landing paper of both and since your spouse is OCI so status is clear else if it was PR then PR copy.

in which section do we need to update landing paper ?

 

[kc_s008]

Hey Everyone,

How to book appointment for OCI in-person application @ BLS -Brampton or BLS-Toronto ? when i check website nothing is selectable when i select OCI https://www.blsindia-canada.com/appointmentbls/appointment.php

Thanks

 

[kc_s008]

Hi, I was at BLS Toronto centre today for my surrender certificate form submission. Though I had a prior appointment, there was a big line up for the walk ins. People reached the centre as early as 5am to be first in the line. A security person at the center was creating a list of walk-in on first come first serve basis. After every few appointments, one walk-in is sent in. People were being turned away if they reached the centre post 11:00am as already waiting candidate list was too long. They only operate from 9;00am -12;00pm so if you are an early riser and can make it to the centre like between 6-9am you might have a chance but the wait is too much. They have four counters operating but super slow because of the verification and data entry that they need to do with each application. If you have a small mistake in your form , you will need to redo it . There is a internet cafe next door but that means you need to line up all over again one you are ready with the updated form. Or else come back another time.
Let me know if you have any further questions.

How to get appointments ? is walk-in available in bothe BLS-Brampton or BLS-Toronto ? can we go to either of it ?

 

[dushyant2809]

in which section do we need to update landing paper ?

you dont need to upload but when filing application...carry a copy and also the original.