just saw this, will try tomorrow. it seems like it's the only time they will pick up?!!
OCI process
- Thread starter blueshirt
- Start date
Try calling them (you'll be lucky if you get through but they can assist with creating a shipping label) - I paid online directly through the website the first time and went through them the second time and was overcharged each time :/
Did you call between 8-9am? Curious because I haven't been able to get through to them. thanks
This is an awful experience, sorry to hear. I’m confused, if you had already uploaded the docs requested, I don't get why they sent it back. What was the error? And how long after you sent it did they return it to you?In early Jan I paid BLS for both my parents (surrender plus OCI) $170.7 as "courier" fees via instructions on their website.
Pick up - 1 app - $20
Express Drop off - 4 apps - $120 (technically it's only 1 drop off but I was charged for 4 applications)
Original drop off - $30.00
TOTAL - $170.7
Last week our applications were returned as we needed to upload an additional doc on the OCI portal for both apps. They returned everything including our originals and surrender apps (even though they were accurate and could've been processed on their own) and said we would need to resubmit everything. The sad part is there was no change in my app as I just had to "upload" the same Indian passport which was already uploaded and also hard copies were attached some 10 times between my parents. however, the oci app needed to be "reprinted" so that they can see the 3rd "uploaded doc". This could've easily be done online and they could've avoided sending me back the entire app (including originals) but they didn't. Since they asked for our phone nos. they could've easily called us and told us what they needed and kept our originals with them.
Anyway by some stroke of luck I got through the call center (on what seemed like my 50th try that day) and spoke to an agent who said she would help me create a shipping label so I can resend everything including my originals and that it would only be $61.4 ($30.07 pick up and $30.7 drop off) as I had already paid some fees earlier. I said ok and kept trying to make the payments online (she said she didn't see the transactions come through even though I saw them on my end so we kept trying). I got charged a total of 7 times instead of 2 times. Basically I was charged $30.7*5 - $153.5 in error. While the lady assured me it wouldn't get posted, I saw my cc transaction and was shocked as all 7 have been posted.I've disputed the charges through my bank but they told me to contact the vendor (who will not answer the phone!).
I'm very frustrated in general with the whole process (they took nearly a month and sent me back my app) and am wondering - I can't be the only one in this situation. Firstly there's no other option but to send the docs by Purolator and the fees also seem random (the first round I paid $20 for pick up, second time I paid $30.7) - how do I know that these fees are accurate?? The instructions online are terrible and there's no way to contact BLS other than a number that doesn't seem to work!
I'm going to ask them to reverse not just the charges that were in error, but also going to demand a refund on my express drop off fees - they charged me for 4 apps but I'm convinced that they will send all the docs back together in one app (the shipping fees are for the 1 packet or maybe even 2 if they send surrender and OCI separately) but why should I pay for 4 apps?
Has anyone had success reversing charges they paid for? If Purolator comes to my door only once (or even twice) I don't see why I should pay $120 instead of $30 each maximum? Sorry for the rant but I'm extremely frustrated by this poor experience. Thanks for listening.
I’ve seen a post on here where a refund was made after the person paid $30 extra online and was refunded that one transaction since you only need three parcels in total for OCI+Surrender. If you can’t get through, you can use that as evidence for your bank, saying that the vendor is unreachable. They’re given a grace period to respond and if not, you could get the money credited back.
Last edited:
Date Of Acknowledgment 21-JAN-2021
Registration Status at Mission VANCOUVER
Documents Printing Status PROCESSED 10-FEB2021
Dispatched From MEA (OCI ) NEW DELHI 10-FEB2021
Document received At VANCOUVER 10-FEB2021
Yes I was asked employment letter too. Not sure why it was needed.
I hope your application is processed now.
Thanks! Did you check on the BLS site? And did you have to use your CAN or IND passport number ?
So I had uploaded the documents (Can PP, Indian PP) under docs upload (I uploaded all in one PDF) - but when the application gets printed it doesn't show up as separate docs and the OCI app only shows number 1 (they wanted 2. Indian PP 3. Marriage cert (Indian PP)) in that order. They returned everything back because I hadn't uploaded the Indian PP under doc upload #3 (which is a bit ridiculous as I could've easily done this online and reprinted, scanned and sent the forms by email). Moreover, they had multiple copies of the Indian PP and both my docs 1 and 2 contained it too (but it doesn't show up when printed so they wanted me to upload #3 again and print again and sign).
They chose to return the whole application including original Indian pp which was frustrating. They also didn't start the surrender process. I sent the docs 1st week of Jan and they returned it 30 Jan. I had to resend all docs again and pay the courier fees. I did manage to get through today and was given an email add to send docs to dispute the cc transactions for extra charges (the duplicate courier charges that went 7 times instead of 2). Also, they told me that even for 2 applicants they do charge courier drop off fees for 4 applications so $120 is accurate just for drop off fees as the 4 applications (2 surrender + 2 OCI) will be sent back separately.
Thanks, I called at 8 am today and got through after 20 mins of waiting! It seems like there's only one lady to answer these calls! Thanks for the tip about calling early morning. I never had luck through the rest of the day.
you got lucky! they're super picky about the tiniest of things!!! and we self-attested every doc just to be sure.