OCI application process for Indian Canadians - avoid common pitfalls

[abbas.pasha]

Hi, in my Indian passport, under place of birth, I have city, state and have IND under country code. I think in my Canadian passport, my place of birth would be just the city along with country code IND. So would I need an affidavit? I believe usually in Canadian passports, the officer told me that they don't put the state name under place of birth.

Yeah thats right.
It will not have the a problem wrt OCI application.
e.g. If you have Mumbai, Maharashtra as Place of Birth in Indian Passport. In Canadian Passport it will mentioned Mumbai only.

Yes you can fill the OCI application with the relevant details but do not submit the form until you have your Canadian passport# etc in place.
Once you submit you have to upload the photograph and signature, but you cannot edit the application.

 

[A_S]

Oh gotcha! Thanks for clarification. I haven't filled the form yet but going to fill soon. Currently waiting for my surrender certificate.

By the way, can we fill out the application as much as possible anytime and save it to fill the rest later? And after filling it out, when we are ready to submit and print the form, do we have to submit and print the same day we are applying for OCI or can it be any day?

yes, print and complete any time before submitting to OCI. You will notice when you start filling it in with all the details !you can create multiple applications in case you you missed any.

 

[Jetrocker]

Hi, for the photo, does it need to have plain light colored background or white colored background? On the checklist, it says white and the instructions before doing OCI registration strictly says photo needs to be plain light colored background and not white without the border.

Can anyone who has already gone through the process please help me cut through the noise of these conflicting messaging by BLS?

It would be greatly appreciated if someone responds by today as I'm planning to take the photograph tomorrow.

 

[deeps1987]

Hi, for the photo, does it need to have plain light colored background or white colored background? On the checklist, it says white and the instructions before doing OCI registration strictly says photo needs to be plain light colored background and not white without the border.

Can anyone who has already gone through the process please help me cut through the noise of these conflicting messaging by BLS?

It would be greatly appreciated if someone responds by today as I'm planning to take the photograph tomorrow.

I got it done on white background without any border. I submitted it in BLS Brampton

 

[Jetrocker]

@cleansystem

Hi, on section 3.2.2 of your blog, for Applicant’s Passport Details, you have mentioned to fill it out as per Indian passport. I’ve heard that since Indian passport is already canceled, we need to fill our current Canadian passport details. Am I missing something?

 

[abbas.pasha]

@cleansystem

Hi, on section 3.2.2 of your blog, for Applicant’s Passport Details, you have mentioned to fill it out as per Indian passport. I’ve heard that since Indian passport is already canceled, we need to fill our current Canadian passport details. Am I missing something?

https://www.blsindia-canada.com/toronto-jurisdiction/pdf/OCI-Sample-form-with-common-errors.pdf
Canadian Passport

 

[Klakho]

Do you have to submit your original Canadian passport too? Their website states so and I was a bit surprised. Can you please clarify?

 

[abbas.pasha]

Do you have to submit your original Canadian passport too? Their website states so and I was a bit surprised. Can you please clarify?

No you do not need to but..
all copies of the supporting documents that you will submit you should carry with you the originals for verification, which they will return at the same time

 

[johnjkjk]

I wish I had read the guide/pitfalls before applying. Would have saved hours of trying to figuring it out. This should be a sticky

 

[yogeshbatra]

on the OCI form, passport details should be according to current canadian passport because that is the only passport you have now. Indian one is invalid.

Here are the details:

https://www.blsindia-canada.com/toronto-jurisdiction/pdf/OCI-Form-Filling-Instructions.pdf

 In Passport Details, Applicant needs to mention CURRENT CANADIAN PASSPORT DETAILS, and NOT Indian Passport Details.

 

[Registereduser]

Will notice of assessment be acceptable as address proof? My driving license expired

 

[forw.jane]

Will notice of assessment be acceptable as address proof? My driving license expired

Driving License OR
- Utility Bill - Water OR
- Utility Bill – Electricity, Gas OR
- Stamped Bank Statement

These are accepted

 

[Registereduser]

Thanks. How do l get the bank statements stamped? I am with tangerine and they dont have a physical office.

 

[forw.jane]

Thanks. How do l get the bank statements stamped? I am with tangerine and they dont have a physical office.

You should renew your driving license then.

 

[Mrs.F.]

I am trying to get an OCI card for my husband. When I called BLS about it, they stated that I need "Consulate Approval" before he's allowed to apply for OCI on spousal grounds.

When I emailed CGI Toronto per their instructions, they said that to process this for my husband's OCI, they need "If the Marriage Certificate is issued by the Canadian Authorities (longer version), it should be first attested by the Ministry of Ontario and Consumer Services or the concerned Province Authorities and thereafter by the Consulate General of India, Toronto."

I don't live in Ontario. I live in New Brunswick. I tried getting it "attested" by Service New Brunswick, but they said that they are Commissioners of Oath, and the Marriage Certificate is official and already "attested" by Vital Statistics, because it comes with their sign and seal... but CGI Toronto isn't seeming to accept the Marriage Certificate we have. What do we do?

For my application, they are accepting the marriage certificate as is.