Sharing my experience on dealing with BLS a few days ago. Finally was able to apply for my family's (5 of us) surrender certificates!
Did a lot of research to see why quite a few photographs are rejected by BLS. It's a simple case of revenue generation. Basic math says that even if 30-40 applicants are made to take their photos everyday, the monthly salary of at least two employees are recovered. They will also sell you the idea of using Purolator for pickup and drop off. God help you if there is a mistake on your form. You will have to pay for courier again.
I was determined to not pay the exorbitant charges for photos for the 5 of us. I do professional photography so it riles me even more. Took my own photos, resized them as per their specs including the size of the face and got them printed at Staples for under $5. Out of 5, they accepted 4 and declined to use one (shirt was light coloured! My mistake totally). They objected to another photo, I showed them the specs and asked them to take a ruler and measure it and then reject. I wasn't rude, just firm and had my evidence, so I guess they had no choice but to accept. If anyone needs advice on how to do photos, please send me a PM. Happy to share what I know.
Once the surrender certificate application was submitted, my spouse and I gave applications for tourist visa. The agent said, that we would have to go back to the walk in queue and take a fresh token. I questioned that as well so one of their colleagues stepped in and said it was ok, because we were submitting only 2 visa applications and not 5.
The gentleman informed me that the 'gratis' single entry tourist visa was suspended. I am not sure of this, because CGI Toronto website says it was introduced in Nov 2021 and there is no notification of its suspension. If any one has applied for it or has more info, please share. I have written to CGI to verify this and will update if they respond. So, they made us apply for one year, multiple entry tourist visa, even though I would have been happy with a single entry 30 day tourist visa.
The best part is that for one application, the photo that worked for surrender certificate, did not work for tourist visa! So much so for standardization and we were made to take another photo. All in all, as against paying for 5 photos, we paid for 2 so I am happy with this minor victory. I am certain each agent has a target for the number of photos and photocopies of documents they have to generate. An applicant on the next counter had a BW copy of DL as proof of residence. He was told that it wasn't clear enough, even though standing a few feet away, I could read his DL - not because my eyesight is great, but because it was large enough and totally legible.
Also, to apply for a tourist visa, you don't need to have a surrender certificate. You can apply for SC later; just don't use your Indian Passport for travel. It is ok to surrender your Indian Passport upto three years after becoming a Canadian. There's no penalty for that, if you haven't used it for travel.
Since 4 of us are adults, we will have to go in person to pick up our documents. Even for a family, I cannot pick up as a group. While this is certainly an inconvenience, I am not willing to pay $300+ as courier charges. It's a shame that a sub-standard operation like BLS is allowed to make money like that. Unfortunately, there is not much choice since this is with the blessings of the Ministry of External Affairs, GOI, who would have approved the contract with BLS and their exorbitant charges.
I was also deeply disappointed to see that on a visa application, Government of India asks you to declare your religion. Not sure how or why that is important for a visitor to India. My religious beliefs (or the lack of them) are for my personal consumption and not for Government of India to monitor. I have written to the Ministry of External Affairs in India to ask why this information is important enough for a visa application. Will share, if I hear back from them.
