My journey is complete. I landed in Canada as PR in Oct 2017, got the Citizenship this June 2021 and now done with the OCI as well. This forum is great and people have been really helpful. Thanks everyone. Here's my complete timeline for OCI:||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 :
Notes:
- 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.
- 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)
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
- 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).
- 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)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Special thanks to @sydcarton and @rajkamalmohanram
Passport Surrender:
10-Aug: Purolator: Picked-up (from home)
10-Aug: BLS Tracking - No records found
10-Aug: Passport Seva Tracking - Surrender Certificate application form has been submitted.
11-Aug: Purolator: Package delivered (at BLS)
11-Aug: BLS Tracking - Application Received
17-Aug: BLS Tracking - Under process (Morning)
17-Aug: BLS Tracking - In transit from BLS Center to Consulate General (Evening)
17-Aug: Passport Seva Tracking - Passport application along with fee details have been received. The same is under processing at the Embassy/Consulate.
18-Aug: BLS Tracking - Processing at Consulate General
18-Aug: Passport Seva Tracking - Surrender Certificate application is under review at Indian Embassy/Consulate.
20-Aug: Passport Seva Tracking - Surrender Certificate has been granted and is available for issuance.
03-Sep: BLS Tracking - In transit from Consulate General to BLS Center
03-Sep: Passport Seva Tracking - Surrender Certificate has been printed.
06-Sep: BLS Tracking - Dispatched via Courier
06-Sep: Purolator: Picked-up (from BLS)
07-Sep: Purolator: Package Delivered (at home)
OCI:
10-Aug: Purolator: Picked-up (from home)
10-Aug: BLS Tracking - No records found
10-Aug: OCI Services Tracking - No records found
11-Aug: Purolator: Package delivered (at BLS)
11-Aug: BLS Tracking - Application Received
17-Aug: BLS Tracking - Under process
24-Aug: OCI Services Tracking - Under Process
15-Sep: OCI Services Tracking - Document Printing Status Processed
16-Sep: OCI Services Tracking - Dispatched from MEA (OCI) New Delhi
16-Sep: OCI Services Tracking - Document received at Toronto
16-Sep: BLS Tracking - Counter Delivery to BLS Centre after OCI Stamping (Afternoon)
16-Sep: BLS Tracking - Passport Ready for Collection after OCI Stamping (Evening)
17-Sep: Purolator: Picked-up (from BLS)
20-Sep: Purolator: Package Delivered (at home)
