OCI process

[Maha1981]

Hello All, I have a question about appointment. Since no available appointment for OCI, can I book appointment for Visa application and instead of visa application can I submit OCI application? for Mississuaga office.

You can do that. They only check if you have an appointment, to let you in. You can submit OCI application.
I did the same in Brampton BLS in Nov.

 

[KarthikVV]

OCI for Minor:
Walk-In Application in Toronto: Nov 2nd 2023

Still not yet approved. Shows "No records found" in https://ociservices.gov.in/statusEnqury
Even if I go to "Retrieve Forget Details" and give DOB & Passport number, to check the tracking number is correct or not. It still says "No records found". I'm worried CGI didn't even receive the application. Should i call BLS and check ? Please advice.

Travel Planned for Jan 7th to India. Is it possible ? Please advice.

Acknowledge on Dec 6th.
Current Status :

Dispatched From MEA (OCI )

NEW DELHI

On

03-JAN-2024

Can i get it before 7th Jan in Toronto ? Any chance ?
Some say if i go directly to Toronto BLS office i can save 1 or 2 days. Is that possible ?

 

[einav]

Acknowledge on Dec 6th.
Current Status :

Dispatched From MEA (OCI )

NEW DELHI

On

03-JAN-2024

Can i get it before 7th Jan in Toronto ? Any chance ?
Some say if i go directly to Toronto BLS office i can save 1 or 2 days. Is that possible ?

@KarthikVV In my opinion, go directly to the Toronto BLS office and collect it (safer side). As per trend, you will get the OCI in next two days once Document received At Canada.
FYI, I have the same timeline.

 

[Helpnew]

Is it not showing processed for you?

Yes ack date 27th oct .processed yesterday 3rd jan (IST)

 

[Newwapply]

@KarthikVV In my opinion, go directly to the Toronto BLS office and collect it (safer side). As per trend, you will get the OCI in next two days once Document received At Canada.
FYI, I have the same timeline.

When did it said document printing because ours minor child showed yesterday document printing but it has not been dispatched yet from Delhi

 

[desmat]

submitted in beginning of Nov but, Ack date on oci website is 9th dec for kid.. can we expect oci issued this week or what date next week?

 

[B.patel]

Is it mandatory to enter Spouse's Passport Details in OCI application? Also, what documents need to be uploaded for Indian origin?

 

[gaurav1282]

i noted this posted on BLS Canada

The Original documents will be returned back to walk-in applicants, after verification on counter. The applicants submitting original documents through courier, may collect the original documents from BLS Office once tracking status of OCI shows 'Original ready for collection'. Those who have opted & paid for sending back original documents through courier, their original documents will be dispatched through paid courier.


Is the expectation now to send original documents through courier.

 

[desmat]

BLS OCI Experience:

I have just returned home today from submitting the OCI application for myself, my wife and my minor daughter. I will narrate my experience below.

First of all, I want to express sincere thanks to the lady at the counter who allowed me to submit 3 applications in 1 time slot. It is in fact mentioned in the FAQs on the BLS website that one slot corresponds to one application. I should have booked more appointments, similar to what I did when we surrendered our passports. So I am grateful that all 3 were considered.

The centre I visited was BLS Brampton. I had a 1 appointment slot. I went alone with all 3 applications. It was as crowded as it usually is. No surprise there. I was called to the counter after a wait of around 10 minutes. My application was in order. I had sorted, aligned and ordered each document, as enlisted by the BLS website. My wife's application was the first to be verified, then my daughter's and then my own.

The draft and a single photograph were placed in an envelope together. They were the last to be verified. Here's where things began to go south. I was told that there should be 2 photographs. I responded by stating that only 1 photograph is requested. 2 photographs is not a requirement, neither on the BLS checklist & instructions nor on the CGI website. This concern was then deflected to the statement - "The photographs are not stamped". Again, I reiterated my previous stance. Not a requirement in either of those places.

So when this didn't work, lastly, I was told that the shoulders were not visible, and the photographs were not on glossy paper. The photographs were in fact, on a glossy Kodak photo paper. In fact, I used the same photos for the surrender certificate. She said to ask your wife to "click a photo from her phone of self and my daughter and send it over to you. We will upload and resubmit."

I resisted.

Ultimately, I was told to write an application stating that BLS would not be held responsible for any rejections as a result of incorrect photograph specifications. I wrote an application and gave it back to her. She kept it aside, went ahead and processed my applications and charged me, for each application, in addition to the $345 bank draft:

BLS Fee - $6.55
Courier Fee - $26.55
GST - $4.26
Debit card surcharge - $0.70

So in total, I paid $383 per application. It took a total of 30 minutes for 3 applications.

To summarize, it was a strenuous and mentally tasking experience. In the past, I have applied for and obtained my daughter's renewed Indian passport, applied for and successfully renewed my own Indian passport, obtained my younger daughter's (who was born in Canada) OCI in 2021, and surrendered our Indian passports - All at a BLS location - Either Toronto or Brampton. And NOT ONCE have I faced the difficulty in submitting an application, that I have faced today. I spent an entire week ensuring everything was in order, took multiple copies of each document, checked each attestation, ensured that the photographs were perfect according to spec, and was successfully able to upload them to the portal in one go - without cropping - YET, I faced this hassle when submitting the applications.

I can only conclude that this is done in deliberation, to earn money from VAS at their locations, from the vulnerable applicants, who, in a bid to get it over with are willing to pay obnoxious amounts to get the work done and dealt with.

I also understand that it's not an easy job working desks at a BLS counter. People come in with all sorts of errors in their applications and some officials do go above and beyond to ensure that the applicant is taken care of all at a measly service fee of $6.55 per application BUT the service is not consistent throughout and there is definitely room for improvement.

Thanks!

PS: I just hope that I did the right thing, and the application is not rejected on accord of photographs (which it shouldn't ideally)

so finally, did you get all 3 oci without any issues in normal time??

 

[Newwapply]

5-7 days

Thanks did you friend receive it in hand yet ?

 

[forw.jane]

Thanks did you friend receive it in hand yet ?

No still "Processing at Consulate General" on BLS

 

[Nidhi sareen]

Anyone Nov 3rd applicants got approval?

 

[Lovery]

My flight is a week away and I am at decision point on whether I get an e-visa and abandon waiting for my OCI card (Application date Nov3/CGI acknowledgement Dec7) any advice>

 

[jainp01]

Last month people who rcvd their OCI card were having print, dispatch and received on same day but now it seems to have changed, anyone having any idea or input on this.

doc printed on Jan 2nd
Dispatched on Jan 3rd
Received in Toronto……..

 

[einav]

When did it said document printing because ours minor child showed yesterday document printing but it has not been dispatched yet from Delhi

@Newwapply For me, it took 1 day after document printing status "PROCESSED".

Currently my status:

Documents Printing Status	PROCESSED	On	01-JAN-2024
Dispatched From MEA (OCI )	NEW DELHI	On	02-JAN-2024
Document received At	TORONTO	On	---