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US citizens, dual citizenship and OCI card

SGulati

Member
Apr 20, 2019
13
1
Finally today after a long wait i got connected to some one at BLS (you know the very way people speak you can assess they are smart or dumb). The person immediately responded that if your son US Passport is still valid you can travel to India and you don't need to renew till 18 years of age but you need to make sure US Passport is renewed as and when due.

He said you may consider linking OCI to Canadian Passport but that is just an option (there is difference between i may do or i must do which he was pretty clear on)

I told him CGI messaged the same and he concurred.

Ideally i should have complimented him by saying you are working with wrong people :)

Lastly, I have an appointment for my son tomorrow with BLS, i may try and file Misc App but if they do any nit picking (bring this and bring that ) then i will just continue with OCI linked to US Passport.
Thanks for this information. Please post your experience at BLS.
 

gaurav1282

Hero Member
Aug 20, 2013
304
92
Category........
CEC
Job Offer........
Yes
Thanks for this information. Please post your experience at BLS.

I am done with dealing with BLS, I will let my son continue with OCI linked to US Passport.

Since there is change in rule and now they need Apostille Copy of Birth Certificate if Child was born in USA. I have attested copy from Department of State and seriously have no time to deal with all this. Funny requirement when birth certificate was originally taken and OCI have been through one renewal while being in Canada not sure why you will need it again. Someone rightly said- At times rules beat the common sense.

lastly the guy was nice and he said why Sir you really need to do this when you have OCI already in place. Make sure your US Passport is renewed and in order for travel.
 

anil1201

Star Member
Jul 29, 2014
58
13
Guys,
I have different question, I am contemplating if I should apply for Canadian passport, my son aquired Canadian citizenship but he has US passport for travel, I am seeing he can travel to Canada with US passport and Canadian citizenship cert, is that fair understanding?
 

armoured

VIP Member
Feb 1, 2015
17,287
8,892
Guys,
I have different question, I am contemplating if I should apply for Canadian passport, my son aquired Canadian citizenship but he has US passport for travel, I am seeing he can travel to Canada with US passport and Canadian citizenship cert, is that fair understanding?
It is true but they could conceivably also pull him into secondary at airport. Maybe not, who knows?

But what's the issue with applying for passport? Doesn't take that long.
 

canadausa2018

Newbie
Sep 9, 2018
3
1
I am done with dealing with BLS, I will let my son continue with OCI linked to US Passport.

Since there is change in rule and now they need Apostille Copy of Birth Certificate if Child was born in USA. I have attested copy from Department of State and seriously have no time to deal with all this. Funny requirement when birth certificate was originally taken and OCI have been through one renewal while being in Canada not sure why you will need it again. Someone rightly said- At times rules beat the common sense.

lastly the guy was nice and he said why Sir you really need to do this when you have OCI already in place. Make sure your US Passport is renewed and in order for travel.
Did you eventually travel to India without linking Canadian passport to OCI? If your return destination was Canada, did they ask for proof of Canadian status (of your kid) when travelling back and did you have any issues presenting Canadian passport, if it was NOT linked to OCI?
 

coolak2007

Star Member
May 22, 2021
141
57
Canada
Category........
CEC
NOC Code......
2173
Job Offer........
Yes
App. Filed.......
04-12-2020
AOR Received.
15-09-2020
Did you eventually travel to India without linking Canadian passport to OCI? If your return destination was Canada, did they ask for proof of Canadian status (of your kid) when travelling back and did you have any issues presenting Canadian passport, if it was NOT linked to OCI?
The best bet in this situation is when you renew US Passport, Just update the OCI details under Miscellaneous and its pretty straightforward online.
When you get Canadian Passport (Dual), just get a e-Visa on a Canadian Passport as a Backup (assuming you'd visit India, not stay like beyond 6 months, else contact FPRO).
Next time travelling, get US Passport and OCI at the gate, same thing via return. If they ask while coming back to Canada (if you have a status), then show that you're a Dual Citizen and has Canadian Passport, had an e-Visa for India, BUT mention that your US Passport is associated with OCI, hence used the same. That's it. Canadian Passport and eVisa are optional per say for the trip then.

Its just a bit of a hassle to get the Apostille of US Birth Certificate as well Marriage Certificate notarized/or so for parents (if original Indians, married in India, registered marriage in India), whereas Kid was US born. Its just more time and money involved before getting ALL documents per checklist for Dual Citizens to update OCI "re-Issue" with a new nationality
 
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canadausa2018

Newbie
Sep 9, 2018
3
1
The best bet in this situation is when you renew US Passport, Just update the OCI details under Miscellaneous and its pretty straightforward online.
When you get Canadian Passport (Dual), just get a e-Visa on a Canadian Passport as a Backup (assuming you'd visit India, not stay like beyond 6 months, else contact FPRO).
Next time travelling, get US Passport and OCI at the gate, same thing via return. If they ask while coming back to Canada (if you have a status), then show that you're a Dual Citizen and has Canadian Passport, had an e-Visa for India, BUT mention that your US Passport is associated with OCI, hence used the same. That's it. Canadian Passport and eVisa are optional per say for the trip then.

Its just a bit of a hassle to get the Apostille of US Birth Certificate as well Marriage Certificate notarized/or so for parents (if original Indians, married in India, registered marriage in India), whereas Kid was US born. Its just more time and money involved before getting ALL documents per checklist for Dual Citizens to update OCI "re-Issue" with a new nationality

Thanks for the response. For now I am going to update details of renewed US passport for my minor child. Interestingly they ask to upload photo of a signature. Any idea whose signature is to be uploaded when updating details of minor children?
 
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coolak2007

Star Member
May 22, 2021
141
57
Canada
Category........
CEC
NOC Code......
2173
Job Offer........
Yes
App. Filed.......
04-12-2020
AOR Received.
15-09-2020
Thanks for the response. For now I am going to update details of renewed US passport for my minor child. Interestingly they ask to upload photo of a signature. Any idea whose signature is to be uploaded when updating details of minor children?
Initially I did same, I signed on behalf of child, was not accepted. Just get a thumb impression:
If the minor cannot sign, they have to endorse their thumb impression (left for boys and right for girls) in black or blue ink.
 

gaurav1282

Hero Member
Aug 20, 2013
304
92
Category........
CEC
Job Offer........
Yes
Did you eventually travel to India without linking Canadian passport to OCI? If your return destination was Canada, did they ask for proof of Canadian status (of your kid) when travelling back and did you have any issues presenting Canadian passport, if it was NOT linked to OCI?
sorry for delayed response. We travelled with US Passport to India with OCI. On return to Canada we presented Canadian passport for entry to canada. No questions asked.

no need to link Canadian passport to OCI. I understand the process is slightly complex as you may need to surrender oci and re apply fresh oci to be able to link to canadian passport which is bit of an exercise and I want to avoid