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Entry Visa India

I

Ian10

Member
Oct 25, 2023
18
11
Morning All, just wanted to provide a further update that I received the Entry Visa (Minor) this morning and below is my timeline for anyone looking to get some clarity.
  • Application Type: Entry Visa - Minor
  • Location & Submission Type : BLS Brampton | Walk-In
  • Application Date (BLS): 11th November 2023
  • Submitted to Consulate: 12th November 2023
  • Processing at CGI: 13th November 2023
  • Visa Granted: 13th November 2023
  • Visa Printed & Passport returned to BLS: 14th November 2023
  • Passport arrived @Bls & dispatched via Purolator: 15th November 2023
  • Passport Received in hand: 16th November 2023

The same has been updated and reflected on Entry Visa Tracker.

Once again thank you to everyone who provided feedback and insight into getting my minorapplication processed without any hiccups.

Hope everyone else has a smooth process in getting their Visa processed in time for their travel. Now onto waiting for the OCI application to be Acknolede and processed.
 
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S

samirradia

Member
Oct 5, 2016
16
1
Ian10 said:
Morning All, just wanted to provide a further update that I received the Entry Visa (Minor) this morning and below is my timeline for anyone looking to get some clarity.
  • Application Type: Entry Visa - Minor
  • Location & Submission Type : BLS Brampton | Walk-In
  • Application Date (BLS): 11th November 2023
  • Submitted to Consulate: 12th November 2023
  • Processing at CGI: 13th November 2023
  • Visa Granted: 13th November 2023
  • Visa Printed & Passport returned to BLS: 14th November 2023
  • Passport arrived @Bls & dispatched via Purolator: 15th November 2023
  • Passport Received in hand: 16th November 2023

The same has been updated and reflected on Entry Visa Tracker.

Once again thank you to everyone who provided feedback and insight into getting my minorapplication processed without any hiccups.

Hope everyone else has a smooth process in getting their Visa processed in time for their travel. Now onto waiting for the OCI application to be Acknolede and processed.
Click to expand...
Congratulations for Entry Visa. I had a few questions if you could answer:
1. How long did you need to wait in line before getting in BLS office for visa?
2. They have revised the processing time to 45 days, and visa was actually processed in 5 days. Would you be able to estimate how much time would it take to get visa in hand, if one were to apply it tomorrow?
3. Do we need to submit original passport with Entry visa application?
4. I also have an OCI application submitted last month. Though I wonder, if I leave Canada on entry visa and OCI arrives after departure, can the address be changed to a friend's address, so OCI is received by them in your absence. How to manage that? When did you apply for OCI?
Sorry for so many questions. I am looking for departure Dec 15 (applied OCI on Oct27)Just looking for options if OCI is not delivered in time.
Thanks,
 
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H

hp2023

Full Member
Oct 30, 2023
35
3
Neerja said:
Its very normal... This is the fist stage before printing and processed.. Congrats!
Click to expand...
This will be nothing sort of miracle if it happens as we didn't think it will get processed. Bls said there is very small chance it will be Granted.
 
I

Ian10

Member
Oct 25, 2023
18
11
samirradia said:
Congratulations for Entry Visa. I had a few questions if you could answer:
1. How long did you need to wait in line before getting in BLS office for visa?
2. They have revised the processing time to 45 days, and visa was actually processed in 5 days. Would you be able to estimate how much time would it take to get visa in hand, if one were to apply it tomorrow?
3. Do we need to submit original passport with Entry visa application?
4. I also have an OCI application submitted last month. Though I wonder, if I leave Canada on entry visa and OCI arrives after departure, can the address be changed to a friend's address, so OCI is received by them in your absence. How to manage that? When did you apply for OCI?
Sorry for so many questions. I am looking for departure Dec 15 (applied OCI on Oct27)Just looking for options if OCI is not delivered in time.
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Firstly thank you and would be glad to assist you with your queries, please see below my response.


1. How long did you need to wait in line before getting in BLS office for visa? - I go there the previous evening around 20:00hrs and was about # 30 in the line. However got into BLS only at 13:00hrs the next day just before closing and was actually moved to BLDG 40 around 12:30 as they had more counters to service.
2. They have revised the processing time to 45 days, and visa was actually processed in 5 days. Would you be able to estimate how much time would it take to get visa in hand, if one were to apply it tomorrow? - Yes thats correct its is 45 days of processing on their portal, however when I called BLS they said it would take around 15 - 20 days. On checking the Forums and Tracker I knew that in the last couple of weeks they were processing Entry Application within 5 - 10 days. However Postal Application are still taking additional 5 - 10 days on top of the normal processing time.
3. Do we need to submit original passport with Entry visa application? - Yes you would need to.
4. I also have an OCI application submitted last month. Though I wonder, if I leave Canada on entry visa and OCI arrives after departure, can the address be changed to a friend's address, so OCI is received by them in your absence. How to manage that? When did you apply for OCI? - I am in a similar situation, as will be travelling shortly, however will have someone collect it on my behalf from my mailbox. | My application was received by BLS on the 26th of Oct, however they applied it only on 9th November and is currently Processing @ Consulate. It will further taken anywhere from 3 - 4 weeks for Acknowledge and processing.

So given the similar timeline with OCI, to play it safe your best bet would be Entry Visa to make it for December 15th.

Hope I was able to help and all the best.
 
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samirradia

Member
Oct 5, 2016
16
1
Ian10 said:
Firstly thank you and would be glad to assist you with your queries, please see below my response.


1. How long did you need to wait in line before getting in BLS office for visa? - I go there the previous evening around 20:00hrs and was about # 30 in the line. However got into BLS only at 13:00hrs the next day just before closing and was actually moved to BLDG 40 around 12:30 as they had more counters to service.
2. They have revised the processing time to 45 days, and visa was actually processed in 5 days. Would you be able to estimate how much time would it take to get visa in hand, if one were to apply it tomorrow? - Yes thats correct its is 45 days of processing on their portal, however when I called BLS they said it would take around 15 - 20 days. On checking the Forums and Tracker I knew that in the last couple of weeks they were processing Entry Application within 5 - 10 days. However Postal Application are still taking additional 5 - 10 days on top of the normal processing time.
3. Do we need to submit original passport with Entry visa application? - Yes you would need to.
4. I also have an OCI application submitted last month. Though I wonder, if I leave Canada on entry visa and OCI arrives after departure, can the address be changed to a friend's address, so OCI is received by them in your absence. How to manage that? When did you apply for OCI? - I am in a similar situation, as will be travelling shortly, however will have someone collect it on my behalf from my mailbox. | My application was received by BLS on the 26th of Oct, however they applied it only on 9th November and is currently Processing @ Consulate. It will further taken anywhere from 3 - 4 weeks for Acknowledge and processing.

So given the similar timeline with OCI, to play it safe your best bet would be Entry Visa to make it for December 15th.

Hope I was able to help and all the best.
Click to expand...
Thanks, this was very helpful. Have a nice journey.
 
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V

Vector Calculus

Member
Nov 16, 2023
11
3
Submitted 3 postal packages (why not combine 3 child entry visas form into 1 postal package? I found the instructions on the bsl unclear).
Looks like they treat each postal package separately hence the different timelines for each kid.

One thing to note i followed the new checklist (Nov 2023) for minors which states: fingerstamping is not required for minors anymore . I put both parents signatures instead. I recalled doing the stamp for fingerprints for previous visas but i guess HCI realized its useless?

Application Type: Entry Visa - Minor
Location & Submission Type : BLS Brampton | Postal
Mailed via Puralator: Oct 31 2023
Accepted Postal package by (BLS):Nov 2 2023
Application Date (BLS): Nov 2 2023
Submitted to Consulate: Nov 3 2023
Processing at CGI: Nov 7 2023 -Your visa is Processed and Printed.
Visa Granted: Nov 7 2023
Visa Printed & Passport returned to BLS: Nov 8 2023
Manual Pickup Passport: Nov 17 2023

Application Type: Entry Visa - Minor
Location & Submission Type : BLS Brampton | Postal
Mailed via Puralator: Oct 31 2023
Accepted Postal package by (BLS):Nov 4 2023
Application Date (BLS): Nov 10 2023
Submitted to Consulate: Nov 11 2023 -called to escalate
Processing at CGI: Nov 13 2023 -Your visa is Processed and Printed.
Visa Granted: Nov 13 2023
Visa Printed & Passport returned to BLS: Nov 14 2023
Manual Pickup Passport: Nov 17 2023

Application Type: Entry Visa - Minor
Location & Submission Type : BLS Brampton | Postal
Mailed via Puralator: Oct 31 2023
Accepted Postal package by (BLS):Nov 4 2023
Application Date (BLS): Nov 13 2023
Submitted to Consulate: Nov 13 2023 -called to escalate
Processing at CGI: Nov 14 2023 -Your visa is processed is Granted but Not-Printed. I guess it was end of day at BLS?
Visa Granted: Nov 15 2023 -printed the next day.
Visa Printed & Passport returned to BLS: Nov 16 2023
Manual Pickup Passport: Nov 17 2023

Thanks @Ian10, i borrowed your formatting with some changes since my application forms were postal vs walk-in.
 
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Snij

Member
Oct 27, 2021
18
9
Vector Calculus said:
Submitted 3 postal packages (why not combine 3 child entry visas form into 1 postal package? I found the instructions on the bsl unclear).
Looks like they treat each postal package separately hence the different timelines for each kid.

One thing to note i followed the new checklist (Nov 2023) for minors which states: fingerstamping is not required for minors anymore . I put both parents signatures instead. I recalled doing the stamp for fingerprints for previous visas but i guess HCI realized its useless?

Application Type: Entry Visa - Minor
Location & Submission Type : BLS Brampton | Postal
Mailed via Puralator: Oct 31 2023
Accepted Postal package by (BLS):Nov 2 2023
Application Date (BLS): Nov 2 2023
Submitted to Consulate: Nov 3 2023
Processing at CGI: Nov 7 2023 -Your visa is Processed and Printed.
Visa Granted: Nov 7 2023
Visa Printed & Passport returned to BLS: Nov 8 2023
Manual Pickup Passport: Nov 17 2023

Application Type: Entry Visa - Minor
Location & Submission Type : BLS Brampton | Postal
Mailed via Puralator: Oct 31 2023
Accepted Postal package by (BLS):Nov 4 2023
Application Date (BLS): Nov 10 2023
Submitted to Consulate: Nov 11 2023 -called to escalate
Processing at CGI: Nov 13 2023 -Your visa is Processed and Printed.
Visa Granted: Nov 13 2023
Visa Printed & Passport returned to BLS: Nov 14 2023
Manual Pickup Passport: Nov 17 2023

Application Type: Entry Visa - Minor
Location & Submission Type : BLS Brampton | Postal
Mailed via Puralator: Oct 31 2023
Accepted Postal package by (BLS):Nov 4 2023
Application Date (BLS): Nov 13 2023
Submitted to Consulate: Nov 13 2023 -called to escalate
Processing at CGI: Nov 14 2023 -Your visa is processed is Granted but Not-Printed. I guess it was end of day at BLS?
Visa Granted: Nov 15 2023 -printed the next day.
Visa Printed & Passport returned to BLS: Nov 16 2023
Manual Pickup Passport: Nov 17 2023 (
Click to expand...
Thanks for the detail. Can you please provide the link to the new checklist (Nov 2023) for minors? I am unable to locate it.
Did both parents sign under the picture and Page 2 or just Page 2?
Also, did you need to self attest all copies?
 
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Vector Calculus

Member
Nov 16, 2023
11
3
Here you go:

To be honest, i wasn't sure so we signed both under the picture and page 2 of the form. They accepted my forms.

This seems to be a checklist for all the visa types now. See page 2 for the checklist for entry: Toronto_Ottawa-Checklist_and_Information_Booklet_for_Visa_Nov_23.pdf (blsindia-canada.com)
(nov 23)

Please note: If you google "bsl entry checklist", you will find older checklist (so don't use them, older ones mention fingerstamping). Just use the one they have currently linked from their website.. It was recenly updated for Nov 2023.

Under this section in the instruction booklet - you will see the instructions for signature for minors.
"(vi) The application form is to be signed by the visa applicant. The signature should match with the signature in passport and other documents. In case of minor, both the parents are required to sign the visa application. If parents are separated, please enclose a copy of court order having a mention about the custody of the child."

For the self attest all copies, yes you have to. "I certify this is a true copy of the original", date, signature.
I can't remember the exact wording i used.... but you can google for this.
 
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H

harmanr302

Member
Nov 7, 2023
11
2
Vector Calculus said:
Here you go:

To be honest, i wasn't sure so we signed both under the picture and page 2 of the form. They accepted my forms.

This seems to be a checklist for all the visa types now. See page 2 for the checklist for entry: Toronto_Ottawa-Checklist_and_Information_Booklet_for_Visa_Nov_23.pdf (blsindia-canada.com)
(nov 23)

Please note: If you google "bsl entry checklist", you will find older checklist (so don't use them, older ones mention fingerstamping). Just use the one they have currently linked from their website.. It was recenly updated for Nov 2023.

Under this section in the instruction booklet - you will see the instructions for signature for minors.
"(vi) The application form is to be signed by the visa applicant. The signature should match with the signature in passport and other documents. In case of minor, both the parents are required to sign the visa application. If parents are separated, please enclose a copy of court order having a mention about the custody of the child."

For the self attest all copies, yes you have to. "I certify this is a true copy of the original", date, signature.
I can't remember the exact wording i used.... but you can google for this.
[/QUOTE
Hello, what number did you call for escalation of application?
Click to expand...
 
V

Vector Calculus

Member
Nov 16, 2023
11
3
2894981320 for the toronto jurisdiction. But their IVR systems kinda sucks. Would disconnect constantly. But if you finally reach a human agent, and get disconnected they should call you back.
 
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