OCI process

[vishalv]

Waiting for an update to the OCI application for my child. Received acknowledgement on 14 sep on oci services but no updates thereafter.
We are planning to travel in the fourth week of October, is it possible that i can apply for a visitor Visa for my child? If so, what are the timelines for visitor visa?

A suggestion would be to apply for entry visa at BLS. It normally takes 7 business days to process.
https://www.blsindia-canada.com/entryvisa.php

 

[erable_rouge]

hi folks, any idea if BLS Toronto accepting walk-in applications for OCI ?

Below is from BLS website -

BLS (Brampton, Toronto & Winnipeg) centers are open for walk-ins by Appointment only. You need to carry the printout of your appointment confirmation for entry.

(Only Visa applicants can walk in without appointment)

Hi,

I submitted my application last week, without an appointment at the Brampton center. Their website is not updated /maintained as expected.

 

[erable_rouge]

Any idea if going around 8:30 in morning , i will still stand a chance ?

Earlier the better.. The queue moves fast. You, you might have to stand in the cold and rain. I reached there at 7:45 am.

 

[Mumbai_Maratha]

AFAIK, yes, one person can submit all applications.

Dont we need both the parents ?

 

[erable_rouge]

Hi , after gaining canadian citizenship can I go back to India and apply for oci in india?

No. It is a crime to travel on an Indian passport after acquiring foreign citizenship.

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

No. It is a crime to travel on an Indian passport after acquiring foreign citizenship.

Not exactly. You can use the Indian passport for 3 months after getting citizenship IF YOU HAVE NOT APPLIED FOR OR OBTAINED A CANADIAN PASSPORT.

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Waiting for an update to the OCI application for my child. Received acknowledgement on 14 sep on oci services but no updates thereafter.
We are planning to travel in the fourth week of October, is it possible that i can apply for a visitor Visa for my child? If so, what are the timelines for visitor visa?

You should see some update tomorrow or day after. You will likely have the OCI booklet before you travel. The usual timeline for the OCI booklet to reach the consulate in Canada from New Delhi is 3 weeks from the date of acknowledgement.

People on a tourist visa are not allowed to enter India at this time so I'm gonna say no to that question.

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Received the cancelled passport with surrender certificate.

Awesome! Congrats!

Did you apply for OCI along with surrender or are you going to apply for OCI now?

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

I received my cancelled passport and surrender certificate today.

 

[vishalv]

Awesome! Congrats!

Did you apply for OCI along with surrender or are you going to apply for OCI now?

No I did not. I plan to apply for OCI this week.

 

[vishalv]

I received my cancelled passport and surrender certificate today.

Congrats!!!

 

[sharadsinha]

I have a question.

My wife received her Canadian passport today. We need to travel by month-end October and basically, don't have time to get OCI ( As it takes 6-8 weeks). So planning to apply for an Indian ( Entry Visa, processing time 2 weeks ). One of the requirements for the same is to produce a "Surrender Certificate". So how can we manage the same? As surrender certificate will take at least 2 weeks even if applied immediately. Al suggestions are welcome.
Thanks In Advance.

 

[sharadsinha]

You should see some update tomorrow or day after. You will likely have the OCI booklet before you travel. The usual timeline for the OCI booklet to reach the consulate in Canada from New Delhi is 3 weeks from the date of acknowledgement.

People on a tourist visa are not allowed to enter India at this time so I'm gonna say no to that question.

The OCI is almost taking 6 weeks ( Application to Delivery by Purolator). The processing time for India VISA is 2 weeks,

 

[sharadsinha]

No. It is a crime to travel on an Indian passport after acquiring foreign citizenship.

Even after acquiring Canadian citizenship, the Indian passport can be used to travel for 3 months from the day of getting the Canadian citizenship. The grace period is only for such cases where foreign citizenship has been acquired but a foreign passport is not available to the person. It is also mentioned that it is illegal to travel on an Indian passport, where a person has obtained a foreign passport.

https://www.cgitoronto.gov.in/page/surrender-certificate/

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

The OCI is almost taking 6 weeks ( Application to Delivery by Purolator). The processing time for India VISA is 2 weeks,

Yes but AFAIK, you cannot enter India on a tourist visa now. I don't see the point in getting a visa that you cannot use?

https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions/IND?originCountry=CAN&nationality=CAN&originRegion=CA-ON&originAirport=YYZ&departureDate=2021-10-04&returnDate=2021-10-11&tripType=roundTrip&transitType=noTransit&fullyVaccinated=false&language=en-US

Travelers wishing to enter must have the appropriate Indian visa. Tourist visa holders are not allowed to enter at the moment.

https://www.britishairways.com/en-in/information/incident/coronavirus/entry-requirements#india

• All currently suspended visas are restored from 21 October 2020, except electronic visas, tourist visas and medical visas

I have a question.

My wife received her Canadian passport today. We need to travel by month-end October and basically, don't have time to get OCI ( As it takes 6-8 weeks). So planning to apply for an Indian ( Entry Visa, processing time 2 weeks ). One of the requirements for the same is to produce a "Surrender Certificate". So how can we manage the same? As surrender certificate will take at least 2 weeks even if applied immediately. Al suggestions are welcome.
Thanks In Advance.

The entry visa is also like a tourist visa AFAIK. Please call BLS and clarify it with them and see if you can travel to India on an entry visa. If yes, ask them if you can submit your surrender and your entry visa applications together. Also, call a few airlines and check with them if they'll allow entry visa holders to board the plane. The last thing you want is to go to the airport and then discover that you're not eligible to travel.

You do not have to wait until your surrender process is done. Also, surrender process takes 3 - 5 weeks, not 2 weeks. The processing time has now been updated to 8 weeks for surrender for Toronto jurisdiction. I submitted my application on 31st August and received my surrender certificate in the mail today.