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Indian passport surrender

forw.jane

VIP Member
Apr 29, 2019
6,922
2,811
I am at 5 weeks 2 days today and the tracker still shows "Processing at embassy/consulate".
Its progressively getting slower. People who applied before me got in 3 weeks, then it touched 4, for me 5 and now I feel its 6 weeks.
Vancouver, Toronto still getting it within 2-3 weeks. It's a Ottawa problem.
 

appar

Hero Member
Nov 24, 2017
306
86
Quebec
Category........
FSW
Its progressively getting slower. People who applied before me got in 3 weeks, then it touched 4, for me 5 and now I feel its 6 weeks.
Vancouver, Toronto still getting it within 2-3 weeks. It's a Ottawa problem.
It's pretty crazy. Have you applied for your OCI yet? What's the timeline for that at Ottawa?
 

krishere1982

Hero Member
Mar 2, 2016
723
198
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
2171
My status changed to "In Transit from Consulate General to BLS Centre"
I just now checked BLS website. My status also changed to - "In Transit from Consulate General to BLS Centre"

Passport Seva still says -

Surrender certificate has been printed.
 
Last edited:

PratikD

Star Member
Feb 13, 2019
87
26
Hi, I received my oath date Oct 11, 2023. I have to travel to India on Dec 1, 2023, returning on Dec 31, 2023.

My plan before the visa ban was to follow these steps -
1. Take the oath on Oct 11
2. Get Canadian passport by first week of November
3. Apply for Indian e-visa, which would have taken maximum 5 days
4. Travel to India using e-visa
5. Apply for OCI after returning to Canada

But now I can't apply for the e-visa. I am not sure if OCI services are still active. Even if OCI services are active, I don't think I'll receive OCI within my timeline.

What can I do in this scenario?
- I suppose there is a three month grace period for continuing to use the Indian passport?
- So, can I travel to India using Indian passport after getting the Canadian passport, since it is within the 3 month grace period?
- Which passport do I use while returning to Canada?
- My Canadian passport will not have an India entry stamp. So, will the immigration officer not allow me to exit India? I also have a US tourist visa. I could travel to US using my Indian passport and then travel to Canada using my Canadian passport.
- Will it impact my OCI application later, as I would have traveled using Indian passport after acquiring a Canadian passport?

Thank you.
 

appar

Hero Member
Nov 24, 2017
306
86
Quebec
Category........
FSW
Hi, I received my oath date Oct 11, 2023. I have to travel to India on Dec 1, 2023, returning on Dec 31, 2023.

My plan before the visa ban was to follow these steps -
1. Take the oath on Oct 11
2. Get Canadian passport by first week of November
3. Apply for Indian e-visa, which would have taken maximum 5 days
4. Travel to India using e-visa
5. Apply for OCI after returning to Canada

But now I can't apply for the e-visa. I am not sure if OCI services are still active. Even if OCI services are active, I don't think I'll receive OCI within my timeline.

What can I do in this scenario?
- I suppose there is a three month grace period for continuing to use the Indian passport?
- So, can I travel to India using Indian passport after getting the Canadian passport, since it is within the 3 month grace period?
- Which passport do I use while returning to Canada?
- My Canadian passport will not have an India entry stamp. So, will the immigration officer not allow me to exit India? I also have a US tourist visa. I could travel to US using my Indian passport and then travel to Canada using my Canadian passport.
- Will it impact my OCI application later, as I would have traveled using Indian passport after acquiring a Canadian passport?

Thank you.
In your case, it might honestly make sense to request to postpone the ceremony. You have a valid reason for it.

OCI services are active but you are probably not going to get it before Dec 1.
 

PratikD

Star Member
Feb 13, 2019
87
26
In your case, it might honestly make sense to request to postpone the ceremony. You have a valid reason for it.

OCI services are active but you are probably not going to get it before Dec 1.
Thank you. Yes, postponing the ceremony is an option, sort of last resort. It's something I have waited for long, and now that I have an opportunity in hand, I do not want to push it further. That's why I am exploring all other possibilities before it comes down to pushing the ceremony.