OCI process

[vaibhav007us]

Hello friends, just noticed that the online checklist for OCI (for Toronto) has changed and we are required to only send the copy of Indian passport and Canadian passport and not the original. However, for Citizenship certificate, there is confusion as title says copy but description says original and copy. Has anyone recently applied by post and what did u send - copy or originals?

Secondly, does BLS give any same day appointments or walk ins etc as i see that there are no appointments till May end?

 

[SindhujaRaju]

How do we track Purolator without liable number. Do they send any email before delivery.

I don't think so.Please let me know if you have any update in BLS page

 

[thisisdna]

Their website literally mentions that the courier fee is to be included in the postal order "Kindly Provide Postal order only in favor of BLS International Services Canada Inc., Which includes Renunciation fee/surrender fee + consular fee + BLS Service charges + Return courier fees, to send back your processed application." I called BLS and the agent asked me to add 35$ to the bank draft.

That's strange because the BLS agent sent me a link to pay through credit card. There they charged both pickup and return courier fees. Maybe there's more than one of doing it I guess (bank draft and credit card).

Was the $35 they told you to add in the bank draft only for 'return courier charges' or was it also for the application getting picked up?

 

[rhi]

@rajkamalmohanram
Can u plz guide me about the current process .
I mean can we apply surrender and OCI at same time?

 

[prash42]

Seems like the payment method used to be draft, but now they are transitioning / have transitioned to online card payment. At least there is an option to pay online - when I tried the pickup and drop off service here, the checkout page asked for me to pay by card. https://blsindia-canada.com/postalbls/

That's strange because the BLS agent sent me a link to pay through credit card. There they charged both pickup and return courier fees. Maybe there's more than one of doing it I guess (bank draft and credit card).

Was the $35 they told you to add in the bank draft only for 'return courier charges' or was it also for the application getting picked up?

 

[vaibhav007us]

@rajkamalmohanram
Can u plz guide me about the current process .
I mean can we apply surrender and OCI at same time?

For Toronto, both need to be done separately

 

[prash42]

They are no longer doing surrender and OCI together in Toronto. It's a 2-stage process, to remind us to celebrate once this is all done.

Also note they seem to have updated the document checklists recently, so check the latest information on BLS website, or call them. For example, the OCI checklist is now asking for self-attested copies for supporting documents, no more originals. https://blsindia-canada.com/CanadaVisaCCT/Checklist_and_Information_Booklet_for_OCI.pdf

@rajkamalmohanram
Can u plz guide me about the current process .
I mean can we apply surrender and OCI at same time?

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

@rajkamalmohanram
Can u plz guide me about the current process .
I mean can we apply surrender and OCI at same time?

I don't know. People who applied recently can better assist you. From what I'm reading, gone are the days where you could apply for both together.

 

[Here]

At Bls site it is showing Counter Delivery to BLS Centre after OCI stamping. Hopefully I will get soon.

 

[tamilvanan3]

They are no longer doing surrender and OCI together in Toronto. It's a 2-stage process, to remind us to celebrate once this is all done.

Also note they seem to have updated the document checklists recently, so check the latest information on BLS website, or call them. For example, the OCI checklist is now asking for self-attested copies for supporting documents, no more originals. https://blsindia-canada.com/CanadaVisaCCT/Checklist_and_Information_Booklet_for_OCI.pdf

I asked the same question earlier .Thank you

 

[Sudha1@]

I need an advise. I recently got my Canadian passport but Came to USA.
Can I submit renonciation and oci in USA with America vfs?

Yes, you are eligible to apply from USA, if you have residential proof.

 

[deepax]

Anyone has had any success booking same day appointments at Toronto or Brampton lately?

Been refreshing since 8 am with no luck.

I did see appointments yesterday at Brampton but forgot what time exactly I saw it (weird enough I checked after noon and I could see plenty of same day)

 

[masterofpupp]

That's strange because the BLS agent sent me a link to pay through credit card. There they charged both pickup and return courier fees. Maybe there's more than one of doing it I guess (bank draft and credit card).

Was the $35 they told you to add in the bank draft only for 'return courier charges' or was it also for the application getting picked up?

Only for return. I mailed the application myself.

 

[PR_Applicant]

OCI Application Submitted at BLS (Brampton) : December 04, 2021
Date of Acknowledgement : December 17, 2021
Date of Printing : January 21, 2022
Date of dispatch : January 21, 2022
Date of Document received At Toronto : January 21, 2022

waiting for status change at BLS website. hoping to get it in 3-4 days.

Finally received the OCI card by mail today morning delivered by purolator. No more dealing with BLS Brampton.

 

[KanadianGuy]

Just an update for everyone applying for OCI.

The BLS agents seems to have a commission or something from the shipping labels they generate for the pick up and drop off services. Every agent i talked to was trying to rush me to pay them and buy the postal services.

I actually chose the pickup and drop off in my first attempt, but they sent back my application for minor things, and i ended up wasting precious time (close to a month) and a few dollars. And then decided to go in person to the BLS Brampton.

Was able to find some appointment within a week (try opening the appointment page once or twice a day, morning and afternoon), and the person i dealt with was nice and intelligent and she guided me through the entire process too.

I am glad i chose to be there in person, other wise i might have ended up wasting another month and 100 more dollars.