OCI process

[amyn27]

Thank you so much for sharing the details. Can you please share your experience in the pick up process. As to how long it took in the line up and what documents to carried for identification? Appreciate your help.

For pickup I waited like 5 minutes in the line as there were only 2-3 people before me. All you need is the application receipt and a piece of ID for verification. For me everything took 15 minutes in total.

 

[cnonline]

Went to BLS Brampton today. Office opens at 8am. I was 10th in line when I reached at 7am.

Passport Surrender
Mode: Walk-in & requested it to be picked-up (no purolator)
13-Aug: Submitted at BLS Brampton
13-Aug: checked after submission - BLS Tracking - Under process

OCI
Mode: Walk-in & requested it to be picked-up (no purolator)
13-Aug: Submitted at BLS Brampton
13-Aug: checked after submission - BLS Tracking - Under process

Will update as I go along.

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Went to BLS Brampton today. Office opens at 8am. I was 10th in line when I reached at 7am.

Passport Surrender
Mode: Walk-in & requested it to be picked-up (no purolator)
13-Aug: Submitted at BLS Brampton
13-Aug: checked after submission - BLS Tracking - Under process

OCI
Mode: Walk-in & requested it to be picked-up (no purolator)
13-Aug: Submitted at BLS Brampton
13-Aug: checked after submission - BLS Tracking - Under process

Will update as I go along.

Thanks. That is helpful. May be people have to go in at 6:30 to be the first and get the job done in BLS LOL.

 

[sg02]

Went to BLS Brampton today. Office opens at 8am. I was 10th in line when I reached at 7am.

Passport Surrender
Mode: Walk-in & requested it to be picked-up (no purolator)
13-Aug: Submitted at BLS Brampton
13-Aug: checked after submission - BLS Tracking - Under process

OCI
Mode: Walk-in & requested it to be picked-up (no purolator)
13-Aug: Submitted at BLS Brampton
13-Aug: checked after submission - BLS Tracking - Under process

Will update as I go along.

Walk-in applications definitely seem to be way faster as compared to Postal applications (4 weeks vs 6 weeks).

I had mailed my application on Aug 10th, and by Aug 11th morning it was trackable on BLS website. But it hasn't gone "Under Process", might take few more days as per the timeline of other postal applicants.

 

[cnonline]

I have a question regarding Minor OCI.
My son born in USA. Had USA passport. Got his OCI when he was 6 months old. He later moved to Canada with me and became Canadian citizen.
My son now has Canadian passport. His OCI booklet show USA passport number on last page of OCI booklet.
I called BLS to find out if I have to update my son's OCI booklet by filling the miscellaneous OCI form to show that my son changed country, to which BLS rep said just go to Consulate General of India website and update your son's OCI and then the call disconnected. I am trying to search how to update this information. I am unable to find link on consulate general of india website to update this information. Does anyone know?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Cecoct2017]

Update

Passport Surrender
Mode: Walk-in
13-July: Submitted at BLS Brampton
14-July: BLS Tracking - Under process
16-July: BLS Tracking - Processing at Consulate General
26-July: BLS Tracking - In transit from consulate general to BLS centre
27-July: BLS Tracking - Ready for Pick up
Got my Indian passport with surrender stamp and surrender certificate

OCI
Mode: Walk-in
13-July: Submitted at BLS Brampton
14-July: BLS Tracking - Under process
16-July: BLS Tracking - Processing at Consulate General
20-July: Under process at ociservices.gov.in/statusEnquiry
10-Aug : Dispatched From MEA (OCI ) NEW DELHI
10-Aug : Document received At TORONTO
11-Aug : Ready for collection to BLS Centre after OCI stamping
11-Aug : Collected the OCI card in person

Process for passport surrender and OCI completed in less than a month. Good luck everyone.

how to track surrender application?

 

[cnonline]

how to track surrender application?

Just go here
https://www.blsindia-canada.com/tracking/tracktestNew.php
Select walking or postal then select passport and put your details.

 

[charisma]

Not sure if I can answer 1, but for 2 & 3 see link below.
I was exactly in same boat as yours, but when I looked at Visas (which are faster), are suspended right now. Its eTrourist visa. Entry visa is another one I think (https://www.blsindia-canada.com/entryvisa.php) but when I checked the fees, it was only about $100 less then OCI card so I am now surrendering the passport and applying for OCI at the same time. Its just that the processing takes longer than visas but OCIs are lifelong (may have to update information as it changes).

In previous post by "amyn27" it took less than a month for surrender & OCI together. So I am hopeful it can be done.

Hi dear, thanks. I have also decided to go for OCI rather than visa for India. OCI is definitely more reasonable (just one time fees!) and hassle free alternative. I am preparing for surrendering for passport as such to apply for OCI. Can you tell if BLS Brampton is open for walk in applications? Did you go walk in or via appointment? I called customer service and they said they are taking applications by post or by appointment ONLY. There are NO appointments available for rest of August and I would like to have the application submitted as soon as possible. Thanks!

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Hi dear, thanks. I have also decided to go for OCI rather than visa for India. OCI is definitely more reasonable (just one time fees!) and hassle free alternative. I am preparing for surrendering for passport as such to apply for OCI. Can you tell if BLS Brampton is open for walk in applications? Did you go walk in or via appointment? I called customer service and they said they are taking applications by post or by appointment ONLY. There are NO appointments available for rest of August and I would like to have the application submitted as soon as possible. Thanks!

Take a look at this post =>

https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/oci-process.254662/post-9610734

and this :

https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/oci-process.254662/post-9619217

and this (very recent)

https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/oci-process.254662/post-9622359

Looks like these people submitted an in-person application (walk-in).

Also, it says in the link below that BLS walk-in centers are open now =>

https://www.blsindia-canada.com/CanadaVisaCCT/BLSWalk-inCentersAreOpened.pdf

 

[cnonline]

Hi dear, thanks. I have also decided to go for OCI rather than visa for India. OCI is definitely more reasonable (just one time fees!) and hassle free alternative. I am preparing for surrendering for passport as such to apply for OCI. Can you tell if BLS Brampton is open for walk in applications? Did you go walk in or via appointment? I called customer service and they said they are taking applications by post or by appointment ONLY. There are NO appointments available for rest of August and I would like to have the application submitted as soon as possible. Thanks!

Yes BLS Brampton is open for walk-in applications. Just takes some waiting time outside the office. Wait could be more than an hour. I did walk-in.

 

[charisma]

Yes BLS Brampton is open for walk-in applications. Just takes some waiting time outside the office. Wait could be more than an hour. I did walk-in.

Thank you, all the best!

 

[vishalv]

Went to BLS Brampton today. Office opens at 8am. I was 10th in line when I reached at 7am.

Passport Surrender
Mode: Walk-in & requested it to be picked-up (no purolator)
13-Aug: Submitted at BLS Brampton
13-Aug: checked after submission - BLS Tracking - Under process

OCI
Mode: Walk-in & requested it to be picked-up (no purolator)
13-Aug: Submitted at BLS Brampton
13-Aug: checked after submission - BLS Tracking - Under process

Will update as I go along.

For walk in applications, do we have to book an appointment ? Just to confirm.

The impression I got from BLS website is that even if you want to submit your applications in person, you need to book an appointment.

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

For walk in applications, do we have to book an appointment ? Just to confirm.

The impression I got from BLS website is that even if you want to submit your applications in person, you need to book an appointment.

Check this =>

https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/oci-process.254662/post-9627528

Applicants simply walked in without appointment.

 

[cnonline]

For walk in applications, do we have to book an appointment ? Just to confirm.

The impression I got from BLS website is that even if you want to submit your applications in person, you need to book an appointment.

No need of appointment if Walk-in.

 

[kulb]

Has anyone updated their child's passport recently using the new online only OCI miscellaneous process?