OCI process

[canadamaple]

Can somebody please share a timeline for OCI applications submitted to Ottawa? The ones that I see most often in this forum are from Vancouver and Brampton (both of which are much more efficient than Ottawa). My application was submitted on April 12th and on May 12th (1 month later), I see on the BLS portal that my application is being processing at HCI. All this while, I have still not receive my original documents. I am sounding like a broken record by now. Haha. Apologies for that

 

[raultest]

Hi @K310 for OCI application did you submit any original documents along with application?

 

[jansh]

Other adult can pick up with authorization letter, copy of applicant ID and copy of authorized person ID.

Hi, thanks for the info on picking up SC & cancelled passport for another applicant.
Do you have personal experience with this and is there any specific format for authorization letter?

 

[AKT]

Finally I see my application UNDER-PROCESS
Applied in-person at BLS Brampton - April 16, 2022
UNDER-PROCESS on OCI website - May 20, 2022

 

[Jasmohra]

Hi,
I am looking to submit my application for surrender of Indian passport. Here are the issues I am facing:
1. The info on CGI website for the checklist is somewhat different than BLS checklist. Weird, they should be mirroring each other.
2. There is different and unclear info on the address to send the application to. There is 20 gillingham, 40 gillingham and then there is a 60.
3. The return courier fee-- when you read what is on the bls and cgi websites, you gather that there is a total of $129.40 in draft that needs to go and then there is return courier that is to be either added thereto/paid separately (may be a second draft) or can be paid online.
I paid online for the return courier, however, the surprise came when I called them to confirm the address to send in application and the agent told me I WOULD HAVE TO USE PUROLATOR FOR BOTH SENDING IN AND RECEIVING MY DOCUMENTS!!! IF I SENT IN MY APPLICATION USING ANY OTHER SERVICE, THAT IT WOULD BE RETURNED UNPROCESSED!!!
I mean why? I should have the choice of sending it via whatever trackable service I wish to use. Back in 2015, they used to ask for a pre-paid envelop to be enclosed with the application for return mail.
By 2017, they began asking that we pay for return courier. And now in 2022, they have been asking me to pay both ways mandatorily??

I contacted CGI and the whoever replied (consular officer) said BLS has a tie-up with Purolator, so I would need to use that service.
I mean, BLS has a tie up, not me. Can't wrap my head around this.

Anyone faced a similar thing??

 

[Jasmohra]

Hi all

What is up with this bls courier service with Purolator?
Everytime I call bls to ask any questions regarding the application they always drag me to the payment for courier. I am not ready with my file yet and so payment.
Looks like they just want you to pay upfront even if your application form is not ready.
Once you deny for payment then they try to avoid answering anymore questions.

Seriously ?? You don't show your interest helping out ppl with their questions regarding application form but always want them to pay ?


Anyway I tried to see the cost with courier service. And I been quoted ( the link they sent to email address with order number ) is so high and different all the time ranging from 130 to 160 for 2 application.

Why are they all give different quotes on it Everytime? I don't get it at all.

And what is passport cover they charge you for? Looks like they're adding charges for services that I don't even need it. When i ask for the breakdown on the quote they provide they don't answer that.

So how do i know what I'm paying for and how much.

Wondering if you have submitted your application? I am looking to submit one now and going through the same issues as you have mentioned. They outrightly told me they will send my application back if I send it anyway except Purolator.
The CGI officer has the cheeks to tell me BLS has a tie up with purolator.

 

[K310]

Hi @K310 for OCI application did you submit any original documents along with application?

No original submitted. Did walk-in at Brampton, they checked original and return on the spot

 

[K310]

Hi, thanks for the info on picking up SC & cancelled passport for another applicant.
Do you have personal experience with this and is there any specific format for authorization letter?

Collected for my spouse

 

[softwaretesting]

Is it fine if we give Indian address as permanent address in form for Entry Visa & also on Canadian Passport? Do we need to provide proof for that? We don't have permanent address here in Canada yet?

 

[nskatcv]

Is it fine if we give Indian address as permanent address in form for Entry Visa & also on Canadian Passport? Do we need to provide proof for that? We don't have permanent address here in Canada yet?

What do you understand by 'Permanent Address?'

It is usually referred to your place of residence (owned or rented) where you live and can receive mail. It doesn't have to be an ancestral house (in Indian context).

So I would advise against using Indian address as permanent address, unless you are actually living there.

 

[softwaretesting]

What do you understand by 'Permanent Address?'

It is usually referred to your place of residence (owned or rented) where you live and can receive mail. It doesn't have to be an ancestral house (in Indian context).

So I would advise against using Indian address as permanent address, unless you are actually living there.

Thanks. I am confused since once it is written on Passport it will become part of passport for next 10 years & we are currently living in rental accommodation. For example, what happens if it is lost & we are not living at that address anymore? Or any other issue which we may face?

 

[DigitalDestiny]

Is it fine if we give Indian address as permanent address in form for Entry Visa & also on Canadian Passport? Do we need to provide proof for that? We don't have permanent address here in Canada yet?

Passport Canada will definitely not issue you a Canadian Passport if you give them Indian address. (By the way, there is no home address printed on Canadian passport).

BLS would reject your visa application because Indian visa will not be issued against an Indian address.

 

[softwaretesting]

Passport Canada will definitely not issue you a Canadian Passport if you give them Indian address. (By the way, there is no home address printed on Canadian passport).

BLS would reject your visa application because Indian visa will not be issued against an Indian address.

No, we already received passport. In the passport there is section on page-3 where passport holder needs to write permanent address. My question is regarding that.

 

[delray55]

Collected for my spouse

No, we already received passport. In the passport there is section on page-3 where passport holder needs to write permanent address. My question is regarding that.

its not mandatory to write any address

 

[psaini]

I am new to all this but can someone tell me if you have to submit your original documents, including passport, citizenship certificate etc. for OCI application?
I followed the instructions on the site and called them to confirm what to submit and there was no need to submit any original documents, they just asked for self attested copies. I posted my application on 21 April to Vancouver location and I can see my OCI application status UNDER-PROCESS Since May 4th on the site and , On BLS site the status is "Processing at Consulate General". Will be asked to send any original documents now?