Hi @funloving - could you tell us more about your experience on walkin at Surrey? I guess you went without an appointment? Around what time? Did they allow you in just like that? And how much did you have to wait?
OCI process
- Thread starter blueshirt
- Start date
I was told by BLS call center, that for Professional details, I need to upload just a self attested letter stating my job and Professional details. Is that not enough? Did they ask for company appointment/offer letter too?
Thanks @vivek.89 for your response.
I am a bit confused as it is mentioned to submit the original and copy of the Oath certificate along with original and copy of landing paper (copr).
https://www.blsindia-canada.com/ottawa-jurisdiction/pdf/Ottawa-surrender-or-deemed-checklist-june-2019.pdf
To answer your earlier question, they verify and return back the originals on the spot if you are submitting In-person.
Let me share my experience in applying Surrender + Visa.
1. I took appointment in Brampton BLS office and chose 'Visa' as reason and gave my passport number (I did this even before my oath, estimating the time it would take me to get Canadian passport in hand)
2. I made sure to have Canadian citizenship certificate + passport before appt day.
3. For surrender docs, follow instructions at: https://www.blsindia-canada.com/toronto-jurisdiction/surrender-of-india-citizenship.php
It consists of filling an online form and taking printout of it (having a printer at home is invaluable) and making copies of all documents asked. I also signed my document copies.
4. For visa, I chose 'Entry visa' as this is the most appropriate category for OCI's and currently we get it for 6 months, Tourist visa only for 1 month. Instructions here: https://www.blsindia-canada.com/toronto-jurisdiction/entry-visa.php
5. I took printout of the surrender and visa forms, checklists and supporting documents to BLS. I didnt take any photos as I knew BLS provides that service on the spot.
6. Went to BLS at my appointment time, they checked my name on list of appts and gave me ticket number, which didnt take long to be called.
7. At the counter, they took my Surrender form and copies of docs first and my Indian passport. Then my visa forms + Canadian passport. I forgot to take a photocopy of one of my docs, so they took it for me. They also asked me to have my photos taken and come back to the counter with them. They needed 2 photos (1 for surrender and 1 for visa), I took 2 more for future OCI process on their advice. Cost was $30 for 4 photos.
7. They confirmed where I want my docs mailed. I didn't want to drive all the way to Brampton, so I agreed to them sending everything back by courier. All taken together (photos, fees, courier) the cost came to ~$350.
The process was pretty smooth and staff were courteous. They were letting people pull things up on their phones if they forgot any document. They make small corrections on the visa form (dont know about surrender) themselves if needed and that seems to be ok.
They didn't ask to see any originals, but I carried them anyway. The only originals I had to give them were my Indian passport (for surrender) and Canadian passport (for visa). They said visa takes up to 12 business days to process. They also said my Indian passport will be cancelled and returned back to me (I like that, since I want to keep it as a souvenir).
They gave me a bunch of receipts with tracking numbers to track application. I also received a text message and email with stating that my docs have been accepted by BLS.
I asked about OCI process and they confirmed that it can only be done after Surrender is received (4-6 weeks). They said I can do walk in for OCI on a Saturday (even though notice stuck outside the place says otherwise). I will try to take an appointment just in case anyway. I have read from previous posters that if no OCI appt is available, one can use 'Visa' category and do OCI anyway.
1. I took appointment in Brampton BLS office and chose 'Visa' as reason and gave my passport number (I did this even before my oath, estimating the time it would take me to get Canadian passport in hand)
2. I made sure to have Canadian citizenship certificate + passport before appt day.
3. For surrender docs, follow instructions at: https://www.blsindia-canada.com/toronto-jurisdiction/surrender-of-india-citizenship.php
It consists of filling an online form and taking printout of it (having a printer at home is invaluable) and making copies of all documents asked. I also signed my document copies.
4. For visa, I chose 'Entry visa' as this is the most appropriate category for OCI's and currently we get it for 6 months, Tourist visa only for 1 month. Instructions here: https://www.blsindia-canada.com/toronto-jurisdiction/entry-visa.php
5. I took printout of the surrender and visa forms, checklists and supporting documents to BLS. I didnt take any photos as I knew BLS provides that service on the spot.
6. Went to BLS at my appointment time, they checked my name on list of appts and gave me ticket number, which didnt take long to be called.
7. At the counter, they took my Surrender form and copies of docs first and my Indian passport. Then my visa forms + Canadian passport. I forgot to take a photocopy of one of my docs, so they took it for me. They also asked me to have my photos taken and come back to the counter with them. They needed 2 photos (1 for surrender and 1 for visa), I took 2 more for future OCI process on their advice. Cost was $30 for 4 photos.
7. They confirmed where I want my docs mailed. I didn't want to drive all the way to Brampton, so I agreed to them sending everything back by courier. All taken together (photos, fees, courier) the cost came to ~$350.
The process was pretty smooth and staff were courteous. They were letting people pull things up on their phones if they forgot any document. They make small corrections on the visa form (dont know about surrender) themselves if needed and that seems to be ok.
They didn't ask to see any originals, but I carried them anyway. The only originals I had to give them were my Indian passport (for surrender) and Canadian passport (for visa). They said visa takes up to 12 business days to process. They also said my Indian passport will be cancelled and returned back to me (I like that, since I want to keep it as a souvenir).
They gave me a bunch of receipts with tracking numbers to track application. I also received a text message and email with stating that my docs have been accepted by BLS.
I asked about OCI process and they confirmed that it can only be done after Surrender is received (4-6 weeks). They said I can do walk in for OCI on a Saturday (even though notice stuck outside the place says otherwise). I will try to take an appointment just in case anyway. I have read from previous posters that if no OCI appt is available, one can use 'Visa' category and do OCI anyway.
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I am sorry they wont let you or they correct small mistakes on OCI or surrender . They ask you to fill the form online again and come back next day.
They do however make small corrections on Entry visa which I dont know why.
OCI Application update and Question:
Jan 28th Walkin Brampton
Feb 22th ACK - ociservices.gov.in
So far no update after that. Anyone on the same boat? Any thoughts on how long would it take?
Jan 28th Walkin Brampton
Feb 22th ACK - ociservices.gov.in
So far no update after that. Anyone on the same boat? Any thoughts on how long would it take?
Thank you very much. This is useful. My Canadian passport application got delivered today. When do you recommend to book an appointment for Indian visa and passport surrendering? I need to come all the way from Windsor.
What do you mean by "My Canadian passport application got delivered today"?? :O
Same here. We applied on 4th Feb and ACK came on 24th Feb. Based on post from gantisunil86 here, you should get it this week or early next week.
My status on Passport Seva site changed to:
Surrender certificate has been granted and is available for issuance. |
Status history:
| Date | Status on BLS | Status on Passport Portal | Days since applied |
2022-02-26 | N/A | Surrender Certificate application form has been submitted. | |
2022-03-01 | Processing at Consulate General | Passport application along with fee details have been received. The same is under processing at the Embassy/Consulate. | 4 |
2022-03-10 | Processing at Consulate General | Surrender certificate is under review at Indian Embassy/Consulate. | 13 |
2022-03-14 | Processing at Consulate General | Surrender certificate has been granted and is available for issuance. | 17 |
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has any one submitted OCI application recently, among the OCI application documents to be submitted, one of the document required is Professional Details of the applicant, is this the letter from office or self declared letter explaining our job , thanks in advance