My first post here, I just discovered this forum. Excellent intel.
I agree 100% they are trying to scam people to get their additional services, and in situations like these where you either cough up 100s of dollars or your travels plans might change, desperate customers will pay and BLS takes advantage of this.
My first experience with them:
For PCC they asked for more documents than required. Like spouses proof of address in India, Parents proof of address in India, and 2 photos instead of 1 mentioned in the checklist. They sent back 1 photo with PCC. Thankfully we carried additional photos so wasn't charged for them but was charged for printouts of various address proofs.
Second case:
I was anticipating surrender certificate to be completed by now, and I booked OCI appointment for 15th Nov. Unfortunately Ottawa jurisdiction is taking 8 weeks, and I most probably wont get it by then.
I called them to check if I can apply for Entry Visa with a letter to state that SC in under review at the Embassy. They said YES. Which is good, but odd as I asked if OCI can be applied simultaneously with SC application they said NO. anyway I said I will do that since it will take 45 days to issue Enrty visa.
I asked them if I can use my 15th Nov appointment for Visa instead of OCI. They said No. They say I will have to cancel the appointment and schedule another appointment for "Visa". It doesn't make any logical sense as the staff take all applications and there is no specific counter for specific applications. Passport, OCI and Visa applications also the equal time slot. Then they pitched the courier service, as an option.
