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OCI process

M

mtlcanada

Star Member
May 17, 2019
108
6
anksyahoo said:
No. 1 DD in favour of HCI for 345$ and other in favour of BLS for BLS fees for each applicant. Others can correct me if this in in correct.
P.S: I did in person OCI application
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Thank you!!
Are they still accepting applications due to ongoing issues?
I wanted to courier this weekend.
And, how long does it take for processing in Ottawa office.
 
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S

samdevban

Member
Apr 21, 2023
16
14
forw.jane said:
7 weeks already done and still its "UNDER-PROCESS" . Isn't it going too slow?
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Yeah. I will try to raise a query to HCI Ottawa if they can assist. But from what I saw in this thread is many of the people got their OCI within a matter of few weeks. Fingers crossed. Will share the update.
 
Canadian-winter-is-coming

Canadian-winter-is-coming

Full Member
May 3, 2019
21
9
Toronto
They dont have any information about whether OCI applications can be submitted in person at a center on their website. Does the photo mean that we cannot book appointment and visit the centre to submit the application? I booked a flight to India for November 14th end of last month (got a good deal, tickets were on sale), and applied for e-VISA on Tuesday before the drama broke out. I am not even sure if they will process the visa. I just applied for OCI but I dont think I will be getting it before my india trip. Hence the e-VISA application as back up. Looks like I am screwed. Should I just cancel my tickets, wait for OCI and then go to India? Kinda stressed about the whole thing.
 
H

harryguns

Hero Member
Sep 27, 2019
264
99
Canadian-winter-is-coming said:
They dont have any information about whether OCI applications can be submitted in person at a center on their website. Does the photo mean that we cannot book appointment and visit the centre to submit the application? I booked a flight to India for November 14th end of last month (got a good deal, tickets were on sale), and applied for e-VISA on Tuesday before the drama broke out. I am not even sure if they will process the visa. I just applied for OCI but I dont think I will be getting it before my india trip. Hence the e-VISA application as back up. Looks like I am screwed. Should I just cancel my tickets, wait for OCI and then go to India? Kinda stressed about the whole thing.
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It seems there are applicants who submitted their OCI application yesterday. I personally saw them posting it on FB group.

If you have already submittied the OCI application, you have approx 7 weeks until you fly to India (from today). Given the current political relations between India and Canada, I would expect a further delay in application processing. I feel it would be too tight.
 
Canadian-winter-is-coming

Canadian-winter-is-coming

Full Member
May 3, 2019
21
9
Toronto
harryguns said:
It seems there are applicants who submitted their OCI application yesterday. I personally saw them posting it on FB group.

If you have already submittied the OCI application, you have approx 7 weeks until you fly to India (from today). Given the current political relations between India and Canada, I would expect a further delay in application processing. I feel it would be too tight.
Click to expand...
thank you for the input.
 
M

mtlcanada

Star Member
May 17, 2019
108
6
Can I still send my OCI application to BLS or they are not accepting it?
I am planning to travel in Jan and will need my Canadian passport.
By the way, does anyone know how long it will take to get OCI processed at Ottawa office.
Thanks
 
S

surajdarra

Newbie
Sep 22, 2023
1
0
FMCAD said:
Answer

1) There is a fee of $345 payable to Consulate General and $7.4 processing plus courier charge payable to BLS International
YES Correct

I have opted for drop off service and paid $30 something online. As I have already paid for drop off do I still need to get a demand draft for $7.4 for processing charge?

No you need to create a second seperate demand draft for $7.4 for BLS

2) Can I just provide self attested photo copies and no original supporting documents- I see a few people mentioning that they did the same. Have people got OCI cards by doing this?

You need to provide self attested copies as well as original Canadian Passport + Indian Cancelled Passport ( as per there checklist, failing to do so is adding on a risk of your application getting returned)- They will send this back to you the originals within 15days while the rest of application remains in process

3) I missed uploading marriage certificate online thinking it was optional. My root to OCI is self and I am not applying on the basis of spouse's Indian citizenship. Do I still need to recreate the online application and upload this doc or is it just ok if I send photocopy of marriage certificate

That's fine, no need to upload, but attach a photocopy in paper application

4) I didn't receive any proof for drop off service. Do they still get to know that I have paid?

No, that's for the Purolator charges, not them ( there fee is $7.4 on demand draft)
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Hi, with regards to point #2, I know the checklist clearly says to enclose ORIGINAL, however, I contacted BLS on Wed Sep 19, 2023 and they specifically told me twice that I must not send the originals and that the originals is only for those who are coming in for in person appointments. So, in accordance with their instruction, I will be submitting WITHOUT originals today and I'll see what happens... thanks.
 
P

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?

If anyone has an immigration lawyer who can answer these questions, I'd be happy to connect with them.

Thank you.
 
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