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OCI process

Does anyone know the process to get the civil document attested by Consulate General of India, Toronto ?
 
Does anyone know if BLS Toronto (at Lawrence Avenue E) is accepting OCI applications via walkin as there are no appointments available.
 
Hello,
I got my Canadian citizenship in February and I am planning to surrender my Indian passport and apply for OCI at the same time.
I would like to know if this is possible, or do I need to return the Indian passport first and then apply for OCI ?

Also I am thinking about going in person to BLS Toronto. Can someone please confirm is they accept walk-ins?
 
harmol said:
Hello,
I got my Canadian citizenship in February and I am planning to surrender my Indian passport and apply for OCI at the same time.
I would like to know if this is possible, or do I need to return the Indian passport first and then apply for OCI ?

Also I am thinking about going in person to BLS Toronto. Can someone please confirm is they accept walk-ins?
Click to expand...

You can apply for Surrender and OCI at the same time. There were a couple of confirmed reports about BLS Brampton accepting walk-in applications. You just have to wait for hours to get in.
 
My minor child's OCI application dates (sorry I only remember the key dates, and the statuses mentioned below are not exactly as shown on BLS site)

21-Jul-21: Walk in application at BLS Toronto
28-Jul-21: BLS status: Original documents dispatched with Purolator link
19-Aug-21: OCI Stamped (no Purolator link)
23-Aug-21: OCI delivered to home
 
sg02 said:
||Long post alert||

I called BLS and got some clarification on the application, here's my experience of submitting my application for OCI+Surrender application via Purolator :
  1. Documents submitted for Passport Surrender (Toronto Jurisdiction):
    • Checklist (signed on both pages)
    • Surrender application completed online
      • Pasted one 2"x2" photo
      • Signed on both pages
    • One extra 2"x2" photo (to be on safer side)
    • Original Indian Passport
    • Copy of Indian Passport (First and Last Page)
    • Copy of Canadian Passport (Bio Page)
    • Copy of Citizenship Certificate (Front Page)
    • Copy of D/L (Address proof)
    • Copy of CoPR
    • $129.40 Bank Draft addressed to BLS International Services Inc.
  2. Documents submitted for OCI (Toronto Jurisdiction):
    • Checklist (signed on all pages)
    • OCI Application completed online
      • Relationship with Root Indian -> SELF
      • Uploaded these documents online:
        • Copy of Previous Indian passport
        • Copy of Current Canadian passport
        • Copy of CoPR (Indian Visa)
        • Copy of Marriage Certificate
    • One 2"x2" photo
    • Copy of Indian Passport (First and Last Page)
    • Copy of Canadian Passport (Bio Page)
    • Copy of Citizenship Certificate (Front Page)
    • Copy of D/L (Address proof)
    • Copy of CoPR (landing document)
    • Copy of Marriage Certificate
    • Copy of Spouse Documents (still Indian):
      • Copy of Current Indian Passport
      • Copy of PR Card (status in Canada)
      • Copy of CoPR (Landing document)
    • Bank Drafts:
      • $345 addressed to Consulate General of India, Toronto
      • $7.40 addressed to BLS International Services Inc.
    • Copy of BLS Order Confirmation (Courier Fees)
Notes:
  1. I had self-attested all copies:
    • First added the line ("This is a true copy of the original") and date on the bottom of all documents via Acrobat Reader DC.
    • Printed all documents (grayscale) and signed the physical documents for including in respective file folders (one each for 'OCI' and 'Passport Surrender' applications).
    • For uploading the 4 documents with OCI application, I added my signature via Acrobat Reader DC rather than scanning the documents again (I have a neat scanned copy of my signature for such purposes).
  2. Although I applied OCI as Self (not on the basis of Spouse or Parents), but BLS support told me that I will still need to provide these:
    • Copy of Marriage Certificate (Upload + Physical)
    • Copy of Spouse Documents (Physical)
  3. Photos:
    • The photos don't need to be stamped (like Canadian PR/Passport photos). Just need to be neat and recent as per guidelines.
    • I took a clean Photo myself and created 2"x2" image. Actually created a 4"x 6" Photo by added six of these 2"x2" images.
    • You can print such 4"x6" photos for cheap (10-40 cents from Walmart, Staples, SDM). Cut them into six of 2"x2" images.
  4. I couldn't get any appointment for BLS, Toronto (very close to my place) and I understand the $90 Courier fees (1 pickup + 2 drop-offs) could have been optimized as suggested by others, but apparently these mail-in applications are processed in BLS, Brampton. It made more sense for me to go with this option rather than picking up from BLS, Brampton.
  5. I spoke to two BLS support persons, I have already mentioned the crux above but here are some points related to Courier Fees and Bank Drafts:
    • First support person mentioned:
      • $105 courier fees (I didn't pay for this order)
      • 3 bank drafts (One for Surrender and two for OCI). I asked if I could club the BLS drafts and he said 'NO'.
    • Second support person mentioned:
      • $90 courier fees (I paid for this order)
      • Two drafts instead of three i.e. BLS drafts can be clubbed to $136.40
    • I ended up choosing the 3 bank drafts option as its free for my bank account. But most importantly I wanted to create two separate file folders.
  6. Purolator driver came with the envelope and it was big enough to fit both of the file folders. My application is delivered to BLS, Brampton and I will share the future timeline.
Yes, the instructions are complex and makes it difficult/annoying to apply but we all have to go through it. Mark my words that once everything is submitted, you will definitely feel relieved and deserve a pat on your back :)

Special thanks to @sydcarton and @rajkamalmohanram
Click to expand...

Thank you for such a detailed & well written post. It acts as a guideline for all of us who are about to kickstart this process.

I have a question. If I am applying only for Indian passport surrender, is the Canadian passport required ? I have just applied for a Canadian passport & was informed it would take one month for it to arrive.

I was thinking whether it would be a good idea to submit my application for Indian passport surrender while waiting for my Canadian passport to arrive.
 
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vishalv said:
Thank you for such a detailed & well written post. It acts as a guideline for all of us who are about to kickstart this process.

I have a question. If I am applying only for Indian passport surrender, is the Canadian passport required ? I have just applied for a Canadian passport & was informed it would take one month for it to arrive.

I was thinking whether it would be a good idea to submit my application for Indian passport surrender while waiting for my Canadian passport to arrive.
Click to expand...

I think you can surrender your Indian citizenship without having a Canadian passport. If you look at the surrender application form on the passport seva website, the "Canadian Passport Number" field is marked as non-mandatory.

But someone who had done this before can confirm.
 
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rajkamalmohanram said:
I think you can surrender your Indian citizenship without having a Canadian passport. If you look at the surrender application form on the passport seva website, the "Canadian Passport Number" field is marked as non-mandatory.

But someone who had done this before can confirm.
Click to expand...

Thanks mate for your response. You are correct, the field marked Canadian passport number is non-mandatory. I think I will go ahead and apply.
 
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vishalv said:
Thanks mate for your response. You are correct, the field marked Canadian passport number is non-mandatory. I think I will go ahead and apply.
Click to expand...

I was under the same impression and was going to do that, but when I called BLS about it they said its not recommended to apply without Canadian passport. I tried to argue as to why, but did not get any convincing response. In order not to fight the system, I waited until I received Canadian passport and applied for surrender and OCI at the same time. Try calling BLS and see if you receive its response. Here is BLS number: 416-307-2237 press 1 then press 2 (for passport) or press 3 (for OCI) press 4 (for Others)
 
sg02 said:
||Long post alert||

I called BLS and got some clarification on the application, here's my experience of submitting my application for OCI+Surrender application via Purolator :
  1. Documents submitted for Passport Surrender (Toronto Jurisdiction):
    • Checklist (signed on both pages)
    • Surrender application completed online
      • Pasted one 2"x2" photo
      • Signed on both pages
    • One extra 2"x2" photo (to be on safer side)
    • Original Indian Passport
    • Copy of Indian Passport (First and Last Page)
    • Copy of Canadian Passport (Bio Page)
    • Copy of Citizenship Certificate (Front Page)
    • Copy of D/L (Address proof)
    • Copy of CoPR
    • $129.40 Bank Draft addressed to BLS International Services Inc.
  2. Documents submitted for OCI (Toronto Jurisdiction):
    • Checklist (signed on all pages)
    • OCI Application completed online
      • Relationship with Root Indian -> SELF
      • Uploaded these documents online:
        • Copy of Previous Indian passport
        • Copy of Current Canadian passport
        • Copy of CoPR (Indian Visa)
        • Copy of Marriage Certificate
    • One 2"x2" photo
    • Copy of Indian Passport (First and Last Page)
    • Copy of Canadian Passport (Bio Page)
    • Copy of Citizenship Certificate (Front Page)
    • Copy of D/L (Address proof)
    • Copy of CoPR (landing document)
    • Copy of Marriage Certificate
    • Copy of Spouse Documents (still Indian):
      • Copy of Current Indian Passport
      • Copy of PR Card (status in Canada)
      • Copy of CoPR (Landing document)
    • Bank Drafts:
      • $345 addressed to Consulate General of India, Toronto
      • $7.40 addressed to BLS International Services Inc.
    • Copy of BLS Order Confirmation (Courier Fees)
Notes:
  1. I had self-attested all copies:
    • First added the line ("This is a true copy of the original") and date on the bottom of all documents via Acrobat Reader DC.
    • Printed all documents (grayscale) and signed the physical documents for including in respective file folders (one each for 'OCI' and 'Passport Surrender' applications).
    • For uploading the 4 documents with OCI application, I added my signature via Acrobat Reader DC rather than scanning the documents again (I have a neat scanned copy of my signature for such purposes).
  2. Although I applied OCI as Self (not on the basis of Spouse or Parents), but BLS support told me that I will still need to provide these:
    • Copy of Marriage Certificate (Upload + Physical)
    • Copy of Spouse Documents (Physical)
  3. Photos:
    • The photos don't need to be stamped (like Canadian PR/Passport photos). Just need to be neat and recent as per guidelines.
    • I took a clean Photo myself and created 2"x2" image. Actually created a 4"x 6" Photo by added six of these 2"x2" images.
    • You can print such 4"x6" photos for cheap (10-40 cents from Walmart, Staples, SDM). Cut them into six of 2"x2" images.
  4. I couldn't get any appointment for BLS, Toronto (very close to my place) and I understand the $90 Courier fees (1 pickup + 2 drop-offs) could have been optimized as suggested by others, but apparently these mail-in applications are processed in BLS, Brampton. It made more sense for me to go with this option rather than picking up from BLS, Brampton.
  5. I spoke to two BLS support persons, I have already mentioned the crux above but here are some points related to Courier Fees and Bank Drafts:
    • First support person mentioned:
      • $105 courier fees (I didn't pay for this order)
      • 3 bank drafts (One for Surrender and two for OCI). I asked if I could club the BLS drafts and he said 'NO'.
    • Second support person mentioned:
      • $90 courier fees (I paid for this order)
      • Two drafts instead of three i.e. BLS drafts can be clubbed to $136.40
    • I ended up choosing the 3 bank drafts option as its free for my bank account. But most importantly I wanted to create two separate file folders.
  6. Purolator driver came with the envelope and it was big enough to fit both of the file folders. My application is delivered to BLS, Brampton and I will share the future timeline.
Yes, the instructions are complex and makes it difficult/annoying to apply but we all have to go through it. Mark my words that once everything is submitted, you will definitely feel relieved and deserve a pat on your back :)

Special thanks to @sydcarton and @rajkamalmohanram
Click to expand...


This is a fantastic writeup. Thanks for taking the time out to write this.

Just one Q, I imagine even if I apply in person, the document requirements remain the same. i.e if you've mentioned copy somewhere in the list above, I have to produce only the copy in person too? or do they ask for originals in person?
 
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My OCI Journey for my Infant by postal Application at Brampton :
15 July: Purolator pickup
16 July: received at bls Brampton(updated in Purolator tracker )
23 July: got an email says need further documentation through Email. replied same day with the necessary documents
27 July: "Under process" in BLS Website
3 August: "Processing at Consulate" in BLS Website
24 August: "Documents Printing Status PROCESSED" in OCI website
24 August: "Dispatched From MEA(OCI )NEW DELHI" in oci website
24 August: "Document received At TORONTO" in oci website
25 August:" Passport ready For Collection after OCI stamping" in BLS website with delivery tracking number
26 August: OCI Received - delivered by Purolator.
 
cnonline said:
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.
Click to expand...

Hey, if I may ask, could you please tell me how long it took to complete the whole process with 10 people in front of you. What time did you get to the counter and when did you walk out?
 
cnonline said:
I was under the same impression and was going to do that, but when I called BLS about it they said its not recommended to apply without Canadian passport. I tried to argue as to why, but did not get any convincing response. In order not to fight the system, I waited until I received Canadian passport and applied for surrender and OCI at the same time. Try calling BLS and see if you receive its response. Here is BLS number: 416-307-2237 press 1 then press 2 (for passport) or press 3 (for OCI) press 4 (for Others)
Click to expand...

Thanks mate for the number. I just called BLS now and they confirmed that you can submit the Indian passport surrender application without Canadian passport. You have to write a letter addressed to CGI explaining that you do not have a Canadian passport & that in the meantime, you like to proceed with the Indian passport surrender.
 
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Is anyone from Calgary applied for OCI and passport surrender at BLS calgary office? I was told that fee is $388 for OCI but BLS website has $352.5. They also mentioned more fee for passport surrender. If possible, I would like to pick up oci instead of paying for postal service. Can anyone clarify?

thanks,
 
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