OCI process

[FMCAD]

Hello everyone - I need your help with clarification regarding the OCI card for my son, who is currently a dual citizen of the United States and Canada.

Previously, my son obtained his OCI card based on our (parents') Indian citizenship. However, since then, my spouse and I have acquired Canadian citizenship, and our son has also become a Canadian citizen through dual nationality.

Given these recent changes in our citizenship status, we are unsure about the appropriate steps to take regarding our son's OCI card. Could you provide me with information on the following process for updating or obtaining a new OCI card for him?

Specifically, I would like to know:

• Is it necessary to apply for a new OCI card for our son, now that he holds Canadian and US citizenship?
• If a new OCI card is required, what are the documents and forms that need to be submitted for the application?
• In case an update is needed rather than a new card, what documents and procedures are involved in the OCI card update process?

In BLS, I am not able to find my answers. Thank you very much.

You need to clarify which passport does your son hold? US passport or Canadian?

 

[Shaurya2013]

You need to clarify which passport does your son hold? US passport or Canadian?

both

 

[Shaurya2013]

You dont need to get new OCI card for your son. Just use your son's US passport instead of Canadian while entering/exiting India.

The OCI card is based on our previous citizenship (Indian), which has changed now to Canadian.

 

[krishere1982]

Mind sharing timeline?

I just sent the OCI application via Purolator last week :

Application sent : 2023-Sep-25
Application delivered : 2023-Sep-27

Waiting to see the application on BLS tracking.

 

[truthbetold]

Did you get your OCI in hand?

No update yet after document received at Ottawa. Hoping there will be some update tomorrow or day after.

 

[somak2001]

OCI documents sent via Purolator - Sep 22, 2023 (Brampton)
Documents delivered - Sep 25, 2023
Email from BLS acknowledging receipt - Sep 26, 2023 (BLS tracker started saying 'documents received, please give us 4-5 days to process')
BLS tracker says 'under process' 2 times - Sep 29, 2023

Does this mean that my documents were accepted and sent to Consulate?

Reason for asking: I have an in person appointment on Oct 3, 2023. Since, i submitted all photocopies, I can go to BLS and resubmit my application on Oct 3.
Can someone guide?

 

[forw.jane]

OCI documents sent via Purolator - Sep 22, 2023 (Brampton)
Documents delivered - Sep 25, 2023
Email from BLS acknowledging receipt - Sep 26, 2023 (BLS tracker started saying 'documents received, please give us 4-5 days to process')
BLS tracker says 'under process' 2 times - Sep 29, 2023

Does this mean that my documents were accepted and sent to Consulate?

Reason for asking: I have an in person appointment on Oct 3, 2023. Since, i submitted all photocopies, I can go to BLS and resubmit my application on Oct 3.
Can someone guide?

Acknowledgement from consulate will take time. There is no need for any resubmit till you get any communication from consulate for the same.

 

[catalyst06]

OCI documents sent via Purolator - Sep 22, 2023 (Brampton)
Documents delivered - Sep 25, 2023
Email from BLS acknowledging receipt - Sep 26, 2023 (BLS tracker started saying 'documents received, please give us 4-5 days to process')
BLS tracker says 'under process' 2 times - Sep 29, 2023

Does this mean that my documents were accepted and sent to Consulate?

Reason for asking: I have an in person appointment on Oct 3, 2023. Since, i submitted all photocopies, I can go to BLS and resubmit my application on Oct 3.
Can someone guide?

BLS tracker

https://www.blsindia-canada.com/toronto-jurisdiction/track-application.php

OCI MEA Tracker

https://ociservices.gov.in/statusEnqury

 

[abbas.pasha]

OCI documents sent via Purolator - Sep 22, 2023 (Brampton)
Documents delivered - Sep 25, 2023
Email from BLS acknowledging receipt - Sep 26, 2023 (BLS tracker started saying 'documents received, please give us 4-5 days to process')
BLS tracker says 'under process' 2 times - Sep 29, 2023

Does this mean that my documents were accepted and sent to Consulate?

Reason for asking: I have an in person appointment on Oct 3, 2023. Since, i submitted all photocopies, I can go to BLS and resubmit my application on Oct 3.
Can someone guide?

@forw.jane ne bol diya matlab final...

 

[PratikD]

Digged out an old thread where someone confirmed they did this. But better to confirm with the frro before travelling if you are going to do this.

https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/travel-to-india-after-oath-on-indian-passport.749934/post-9818937

EDIT: The person also confirmed that once you surrender, you need to apply for a stay visa in India, for which Canadians are not eligible at the moment. So my suspicion was right I guess.

https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/travel-to-india-after-oath-on-indian-passport.749934/post-9819099

Thank you for digging it up. I emailed Bureau of Immigration asking about to travel to India after acquiring Canadian passport. They replied," You may use Indian passport. Surrender it to appropriate authority then apply for exit permit on Canadian passport."

I have confirmed with my local RPO (Regional Passport Office) that they'll be able to issue surrender certificate on the same day for most of the cases. For some cases it could take couple of days but should not take more than that.

Now the next piece of puzzle is exit permit from FRRO. I have emailed them about stay visa requirement for Canadians. If I do not here back by Wednesday, a friend of mine is going to visit their office on Wednesday. Let's see what they say.

If we go to India and they are not issuing stay visa and thus exit permits, can they just hold us it India indefinitely?

 

[rizingphoenix]

Hello All

Below are my timelines, my oci application was sent via post on 8th September, Finally on 19th September i could see status on bls tracker that it is Processing at Consulate General. however when i try searching using my file reference number in oci web site it is saying file not found. Is this common.

Also am planning travel to india sometime around 1st week of December. May i know what is the average timelines for oci applications in toronto in light of the latest happenings. Based on which i can book my ticket if its cutting too close.

 

[karamjeeet]

anybody doing gov job recived OCI? i was told by BLS person while submitting my application that OCIs are not issued to Canadian Gov employees, and mine will be likely rejected? i am not sure this canbe the reason, i was born in India and lived in India most of my life.
Any thoughts?

Hi, a government employee can not get OCI?

 

[abbas.pasha]

Hi, a government employee can not get OCI?

Federal Govt yes cannot get the OCI

 

[forw.jane]

Hello All

Below are my timelines, my oci application was sent via post on 8th September, Finally on 19th September i could see status on bls tracker that it is Processing at Consulate General. however when i try searching using my file reference number in oci web site it is saying file not found. Is this common.

Also am planning travel to india sometime around 1st week of December. May i know what is the average timelines for oci applications in toronto in light of the latest happenings. Based on which i can book my ticket if its cutting too close.

Which BLS did you apply with?

 

[abbas.pasha]

Hello All

Below are my timelines, my oci application was sent via post on 8th September, Finally on 19th September i could see status on bls tracker that it is Processing at Consulate General. however when i try searching using my file reference number in oci web site it is saying file not found. Is this common.

Also am planning travel to india sometime around 1st week of December. May i know what is the average timelines for oci applications in toronto in light of the latest happenings. Based on which i can book my ticket if its cutting too close.

6-8 weeks to pakad ke chalo