Guess I am the lucky one, thanks. Do you know if I would get told about my oath date at the interview or does that come later? Would be nice to know.Interview used to be for everyone before Covid, now they just pick and choose for quality control and stuff like that, or if they have a question about something regarding your documents
No one knows, if everything is completed and in green you might get asked to do the oath on spot, as few people did have that option, just be ready for that! good luck and keep us updated on you interview experienceGuess I am the lucky one, thanks. Do you know if I would get told about my oath date at the interview or does that come later? Would be nice to know.
Congrats!If someone could update the spreadsheet with our latest info:
Feb 24th - 1st test invite (failed)
April 14th - 2nd test invite
May 1st - Test passed
May 3rd - Test changed to Completed
May 3rd - Language changed to Completed
May 3rd - Prohibitions changed to Completed
May 3rd - Physical Presence changed to Completed
One last step and we're done!
If it is a virtual oath ceremony, you'll need a Canadian address for them to mail your Citizenship certificate. This could take a 2-3 weeks (maybe sooner). On the other hand, if it is an in-person ceremony you'll get the certificate right at the end of the ceremony. You WILL need the ORIGINAL Citizenship certificate to apply for a passport. You may apply for an urgent passport but it is will cost you a lot more... You will need to show proof of travel and emergency.I have a question. I am currently in India ( settled for good) and have my oath date on June 6th as per tracker.
I want to know how will the certificate delivery happen? My plan is to apply for emergency passport and come back to India the next busoness day. But for that apparently I need to have original citizenship certificate and not a photocopy. Did anyone come across this scenario or know of anyone who took similar route?
Also any threads or references if I want to apply for passport from India? Around process...
Thanks in advance.
Isn't there a grace period of 3months under which I can travel on Indian passport as per Passport Act 1967?If it is a virtual oath ceremony, you'll need a Canadian address for them to mail your Citizenship certificate. This could take a 2-3 weeks (maybe sooner). On the other hand, if it is an in-person ceremony you'll get the certificate right at the end of the ceremony. You WILL need the ORIGINAL Citizenship certificate to apply for a passport. You may apply for an urgent passport but it is will cost you a lot more... You will need to show proof of travel and emergency.
Also, Indian Citizenship Act, 1956 provides for automatic loss of citizenship once you voluntarily take up citizenship of another country. So, you'll be unable to travel on your Indian passport. You will need to work to surrender your Indian passport at BLS Canada. Once you get the surrender certificate (check timelines) you may apply for an OCI card (takes 3 months) or an entry Visa for India. You may be able to apply for an entry visa and surrender certificate concurrently (one go) - check with BLS Canada. However, concurrent application for surrender certificate and OCI is not possible, you'll have to wait for surrender certificate to arrive by post before you apply for OCI card.
I would suggest you not to book your return ticket until you have your Canadian Passport in hand, Indian Citizenship surrender certificate, and and Indian Entry visa (X class).
IMORTANT: If you enter India on a visitor (evisa/tourist class visa) you may not be able to apply for OCI card within India. Make sure you research all of this before you head back to India or you will be unable to get leave to indefinitely remain in India and must leave at the end of your visa terms. Also, on a visitor visa, you will be UNABLE to work in India
Resources:
https://hciottawa.gov.in/pages?id=4&subid=97&nextid=55
https://www.blsindia-canada.com/
https://ociservices.gov.in/
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/new-adult-passport.html
If you are certain you can enter India on and Indian passport, apply for a surrender certificate and OCI within India and done your research thoroughly, go for it... Post your account here as an example for others to useIsn't there a grace period of 3months under which I can travel on Indian passport as per Passport Act 1967?
https://eoi.gov.in/eoisearch/MyPrint.php?0834?001/0005#:~:text=A grace period of three,acquisition of a foreign passport.
True that's what is worrying me. I don't have any concerns with staying in India for a long time and dont have a plan to move to Canada anytime soon, but all other valid concerns like Change of status etc remain.If you are certain you can enter India on and Indian passport, apply for a surrender certificate and OCI within India and done your research thoroughly, go for it... Post your account here as an example for others to use
Potential issues:
1. Your legal status in India if and when you are able to surrender passport in India - ability to work, recourse to public funds, ability to apply for or change to another visa category (Entry visa) etc.
2. Your ability to apply for OCI within India which will give you indefinite leave to remain in India
Notwithstanding the grace period of 3 months allowed - As it stands by law, you are no longer a citizen of India once you are done with our oath ceremony in Canada