Indian Passport Renewal from BLS Toronto

[hakweye]

I just got back my renewed passport under tatkaal. I used the pickup and dropoff service. Here was my timeline:

* Preparing documents: Everything in the BLS checklist only. Added extra photograph in envelope, even though I read BLS doesn't need the second one? Did not submit the "Personal Particulars Form" mentioned on the consulate website. I also included a cover letter explaining which documents I submitted for address proof. I used my Indian address as the main one and the Canadian address as secondary, which is allowed as I'm here on a study permit.
New Indian address proof: aadhaar + dad's passport with address
Canadian address proof: Temporary paper driving license + old driving license + rental agreement (didn't want to risk it)
Fees: Demand draft from CIBC

* Mon Sept 25: Submitted all documents to Purolator pickup. The person brought a free envelope so I just had to put the documents in the envelope and give him the Purolator label.
* Tue Sept 26: Reached BLS and under processing
* Fri Sept 29: Sent to consulate
* Mon Oct 2: Reached consulate
* Wed Oct 4: Police verification initiated
* Thu Oct 5: Passport processed and sent back to BLS, even before police verification is done. Maybe because it was already verified before as secondary address?
* Fri Oct 6: Dad completed verification at police station. Passport picked up by Purolator.
* Tue Oct 10: New passport delivered "next business day". Mon was a holiday.

It worked out well for me. Status was regularly updated on BLS tracking website and did not have to call anyone. Pickup and dropoff was convenient as there were no appointments till mid of October and I heard walk-ins have a long lines? Extra charge was ~$62 for courier + $10 for demand draft.

Happy to answer any questions.

Hello Quick question ,


- Enclose a certified cheque, in favor of ‘BLS International Service Canada Inc.’ to include:
o HCI/CGI Passport Fee. - $93
o ICWF Consular Surcharge Fee. - $3

- Enclose a separate certified cheque, in favor of ‘BLS International Service Canada Inc.’ to include:
o BLS Processing Fee. - $7.40
o Add: Return Courier charges - $62


So did you take place one demand draft for the total or two demand drafts ? , it is bit confusing as BLS is asking for two certified cheque in Checklist and at the same time asking for single demand draft in another place. Any help will be appreciated , thanks.

Also if India address proof necessary when Canadian address is to be printed in passport ?

 

[Gimme_50_Dollars_Worth]

Hello Quick question ,


- Enclose a certified cheque, in favor of ‘BLS International Service Canada Inc.’ to include:
o HCI/CGI Passport Fee. - $93
o ICWF Consular Surcharge Fee. - $3

- Enclose a separate certified cheque, in favor of ‘BLS International Service Canada Inc.’ to include:
o BLS Processing Fee. - $7.40
o Add: Return Courier charges - $62


So did you take place one demand draft for the total or two demand drafts ? , it is bit confusing as BLS is asking for two certified cheque in Checklist and at the same time asking for single demand draft in another place. Any help will be appreciated , thanks.

Hi, I'm not the person you asked, but I enclosed a single demand draft that excluded the courier charges.
The amount was basically the number in the right most column as mentioned in the Application fees tab.

https://www.blsindia-canada.com/toronto-jurisdiction/new-booklet-or-renewal.php

Courier charges payment was made separately on their portal.

 

[AnkurG]

Hello Quick question ,


- Enclose a certified cheque, in favor of ‘BLS International Service Canada Inc.’ to include:
o HCI/CGI Passport Fee. - $93
o ICWF Consular Surcharge Fee. - $3

- Enclose a separate certified cheque, in favor of ‘BLS International Service Canada Inc.’ to include:
o BLS Processing Fee. - $7.40
o Add: Return Courier charges - $62


So did you take place one demand draft for the total or two demand drafts ? , it is bit confusing as BLS is asking for two certified cheque in Checklist and at the same time asking for single demand draft in another place. Any help will be appreciated , thanks.

Also if India address proof necessary when Canadian address is to be printed in passport ?

 

[AnkurG]

One bank draft needed. I called up BLS and they told to include one draft worth $103.40 (for 10 year, adult normal 36 page passport). Also you need address proof for both Canada and Indian address. If you are PR holder, then mention primary/ printable address as Canadian address and other address as Indian. Vice-versa if you are not PR holder.

 

[hakweye]

One bank draft needed. I called up BLS and they told to include one draft worth $103.40. Also you need address proof for both Canada and Indian address. If you are PR holder, then mention primary/ printable address as Canadian address and other address as Indian. Vice-versa if you are not PR holder.

Thanks, are you planning to walk in , if not what should we another bank draft for return courier fees ?

 

[AnkurG]

Thanks, are you planning to walk in , if not what should we another bank draft for return courier fees ?

I did postal. Their payment link for Purolator courier on their website was not working which I was not aware. When I called them, they asked my details (name, address, email and passport number), generated payment link during the call itself and when I made the payment during the call, I got pickup shipping label during the call itself. Return shipping label is not shared with us and is not needed. This payment of $62 included fee for both pickup and drop off (i.e., new passport). I prepared the package for pickup and Purolator picked up. They will give you a date of pickup which can be checked on Purolator website too. Remember to ask them Purolator time (it is in 2 batches between 10 AM - 2 PM and 1 PM - 5 PM). Remember to save shipping label PDF during call with BLS since BLS website later went down and I had trouble downloading it later.

Hope this helps.

 

[ForeverWanderer]

Hi, has anyone had PV initiated despite the application being granted on No police verification? How do you know if PV has been initiated without getting the PV email?

 

[Rajangreen]

Hi Guys
Anyone applied for passport renewal recently? I had applied for my kid's passport renew and havent heard anything yet. Submitted the form with fees on Nov 8. Status shown - application and fee submitted and under process with Indiana embassy Anyone applied nearby Nov start?.

 

[manu8001]

Hi
I just applied today for reissue regular passport. I have few concerns if anyone knows the answers?

1. Can i change my application from regular to tatkaal now by calling them/or online?
2. Can I book ticket, because i have to be in India before 10th February ?
3. Do passport renewal needs police verification in India?

Thank you in advance..

 

[Sjm19]

One bank draft needed. I called up BLS and they told to include one draft worth $103.40 (for 10 year, adult normal 36 page passport). Also you need address proof for both Canada and Indian address. If you are PR holder, then mention primary/ printable address as Canadian address and other address as Indian. Vice-versa if you are not PR holder.

Hi, I am a PR holder, but would like my Indian address to be printed the same as in my old passport. I'm currently in a rental, and I might change places.
Is it possible to have the Indian address printed while I'm on PR?

 

[Sjm19]

Hi all,
My passport application was sent back by the BLS postal team.
After a lot of time reading online, I specified my Indian address [same as old passport] as my printed address.
And my current Canadian address as "other address".
They are insisting on my current Canadian address to be the "printed address"
I'm not too keen on the idea of some rooming house to be my address on something like a passport.
Oh well, maybe its just a fixation that I'll get over soon.
They also mentioned "stickers and defacement" of the passport. These are COVID test stickers affixed at Toronto and Dubai airports from 2022.
They also mentioned "hand written applications".
The only thing that I filled out by hand, were the Annexure E, and the personal details in the BLS checklist.

Is there a way to delete the old form from the Indian govt website, or do I just create a new application?
Thank you.
I'm attaching a screenshot of the email from BLS, just in case it helps anyone who's starting out with their passport renewal process.

http://imgur.com/xTxfo2B

So, it's not possible to print Indian address while on PR?

 

[AS224]

Hi,

1) For my kid, address in Passport is India address.
For PR, BLS site mentions to add Canada Address as printable address.
Should I select checkbox for Change in Address?

2) Are hand-written Annexure Forms are not acceptable? Do we need to edit PDF?

Thanks

 

[AS224]

Then how come no police verification?
I have also given for change in marital status and my current address change will have Canadian address.
Submitted on 10th March
Right now it is passport being reviewed at the embassy.
I wonder what is granting initiated and application granted step?
Can anyone explain. I never saw that in my case

Hi,

Did you select checkbox for change in address as you have provided Canada Address this time?

Thanks

 

[AS224]

I want to mention my timeline for I have been monitoring this thread for quite some time.
Here is a google doc that folks put together to track the BLS Passport renewals, which I found in the mega thread: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1N0_kRDtLBxn8hYLw6IBTx0W5gX8g-GQKDDj-bKSDe5U/edit#gid=0

Thank you to the folks who suggested the "inspect" mode. Very helpful!

Timeline:

• 2023-02-15 Submitted to BLS (Walk-In @ Surrey, BC)
• 2023-02-15 Under Process - In Transit from BLS Centre to Consulate General (BLS)
• 2023-02-16 In Transit from Consulate General to BLS Centre (BLS - weird status. possibly a bug)
• 2023-02-17 Passport application is under review at Indian Embassy/Consulate (BLS)
• 2023-02-18 Application Form Submitted (Consulate)
• 2023-02-18 Granting Initiated, Sent To Go (Consulate)
• 2023-02-22 Granting Status Set as 'Clear'. Application Granted on No verification basis (Consulate)
• 2023-02-22 Print Initiated (Consulate)

Notable changes in my passport:

• Address change from Indian to Canadian. (I am a PR)
• Adding Spouse name in the Passport.

Hi,

Can you please confirm if you have selected checkbox for Change in Address for adding Canadian Address?

Thanks

 

[Gimme_50_Dollars_Worth]

So, it's not possible to print Indian address while on PR?

Once you get PR, you can only have Canadian Address printed on your passport.
Others may have had success with having their Indian address printed, but my application was sent back for this very reason.