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OCI process

rushi.gada

Champion Member
Jun 24, 2019
1,115
1,533
i'll be happy to see a common man's such complaint seeing any action, i've tried it twice against such charges several months ago - complaining thru the Sampark portal and to BLS too. needless to say - no action.
If you don't mind, I would recommend tagging PMO, CGI HCI BLS etc on Twitter (X) and sharing your grievances .. that usually work.
 

Tarakeshwar

Star Member
Aug 1, 2017
112
61
Hyderabad
Category........
FSW
NOC Code......
2171
AOR Received.
03-12-2017
Med's Done....
22-12-2017
Hi all, when were the fees hiked for OCI? I submitted application for my wife and toddler late March with $345. Will that have any impact?
 

abbas.pasha

VIP Member
Sep 17, 2016
3,601
2,022
Same with me. I have also sent postal application with older fee which was confirmed by BLS call center. Appointment slots are open for April month and I have booked one, instead of sending package again via courier and wasting another $71, planning to go there in person by appointment. You can also try this in case you live nearby.
Watch out for extra pricing gauging BLS will do -
sms/phone call ka value added service
Courier charges for delivery of SC and cancelled Indian Passport - I have heard that they are now charging $60+ per person for the courier
Passport cover offer. They will try and upsell you on this saying it’s complimentary and when you say yes they will then charge $12+ in the final bill


From the beginning you should put your foot down on these extra charges saying No.
For the courier if you want it to be delivered it’s fine. But if you want to pick up the OCI you should say ke we have to move her house in 3-4 weeks so you will need to come and collect it

Plz make sure they carry all originals of the supporting documents including Indian, Canadian passports, Citizenship certificates, Kids Birth Certificate, address proof (parents can use their drivers license or Utility Bill, for kids you submit parents proof of address), Marriage Certificate

At the time of collection for OCI documents you can collect yourself but in the case of kids both parents will be required to collect it ( does not required to be there for collection)
Collection is between 3:00-4:30 pm between Mon-Fri only

The BLS folks are still ok to deal with in Brampton instead of Toronto and Mississauga
 
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rushi.gada

Champion Member
Jun 24, 2019
1,115
1,533
Watch out for extra pricing gauging BLS will do -
sms/phone call ka value added service
Courier charges for delivery of SC and cancelled Indian Passport - I have heard that they are now charging $60+ per person for the courier
Passport cover offer. They will try and upsell you on this saying it’s complimentary and when you say yes they will then charge $12+ in the final bill


From the beginning you should put your foot down on these extra charges saying No.
For the courier if you want it to be delivered it’s fine. But if you want to pick up the OCI you should say ke we have to move her house in 3-4 weeks so you will need to come and collect it

Plz make sure they carry all originals of the supporting documents including Indian, Canadian passports, Citizenship certificates, Kids Birth Certificate, address proof (parents can use their drivers license or Utility Bill, for kids you submit parents proof of address), Marriage Certificate

At the time of collection for OCI documents you can collect yourself but in the case of kids both parents will be required to collect it ( does not required to be there for collection)
Collection is between 3:00-4:30 pm between Mon-Fri only
Who's living under the rock now? They have employees reading this forum and are aware of this trick .. LOL
 

rushi.gada

Champion Member
Jun 24, 2019
1,115
1,533
OCI update: I submitted OCI card applications for myself and my wife in person at BLS Brampton on March 2. We received acknowledgment on March 15, and the card was processed on April 5th. It appears that there is a consistent pattern of a two-week acknowledgment period followed by three weeks for processing. I anticipate that the printing and final courier delivery will take an additional 2-3 weeks. Will keep you'll posted.
 
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2017CanadaHo!

Hero Member
Nov 18, 2016
582
381
Ontario
Category........
Other
Hi,
I would like to share my pain here,
I applied for Surrender process 3 persons, each 62 $ as courier charge.
Two of it processed and one was sent back as wrong surname,
now all of a sudden when I tried to send back the corrected application I PAID 62 + 62 as a new charge for courier to pick up and drop - doubled, from April 1, 2024.
So collectively for 3 application I paid $310 just for courier service.
I called and asked for refund (as I was able to book an appointment online for the faulty application to re submit) the call centre person said big NO, even I use that service or not.
I am speechless.
TQ
now just multiply this amount by God knows how many postal applicants or those who've opted for courier mailback and see the kind of unreasonable income BLS is having thru price gouging.
i'm guilty myself of not taking them to the cleaners, because like many others, i said to myself - GOOD RIDDANCE. but that is what emboldens them, and they continue doing this.
@rushi.gada - to your point of using X. i haven't used that platform ever. so even if i create an ID, it will have ZERO connections (or whatever those are called on X) and this means no one is going to pay attention (at their end, or public in general) to my post.
 

ThenT

Star Member
Oct 6, 2023
57
39
My OCI application status is now showing returned due to an incorrect draft fee. I specifically talked to the BLS call center and asked about the fee and the lady told me it was $345 for the consulate and 1.70 for BLS. I made the draft the same day and the pickup was the next day. This was all before the fee change came into effect. Is there a way to get the courier charges waived or refunded? This is clearly BLS fault. I even have the phone recording of the BLS call center where the lady mentioned all the instructions and fees.
Hi,

Just I was checking, the fee is $376 for Consulate and 1.70 for BLS
 

rushi.gada

Champion Member
Jun 24, 2019
1,115
1,533
now just multiply this amount by God knows how many postal applicants or those who've opted for courier mailback and see the kind of unreasonable income BLS is having thru price gouging.
i'm guilty myself of not taking them to the cleaners, because like many others, i said to myself - GOOD RIDDANCE. but that is what emboldens them, and they continue doing this.
@rushi.gada - to your point of using X. i haven't used that platform ever. so even if i create an ID, it will have ZERO connections (or whatever those are called on X) and this means no one is going to pay attention (at their end, or public in general) to my post.
Hey, I get your point, but I believe it's not a requirement to have followers when you trying to share feedback on Twitter. There is also option to email BLS with the PMO, CGI and HCI offices in cc. The emails can be found on their official websites. Good luck
 
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