OCI process

[2017CanadaHo!]

OCI - one time headache, but very expensive especially when you're doing it for a family and dealing with BLS - around C$400/bakra. plus the recurring headache of updating photo/passport and for those under 20yrs - for them a fresh OCI has to be applied which means another C$400+ to spend when that person gets their next passport after the age of 20.

E-visa - cheap, multiple entry, get for C$14 for 30d. if you want to go during Apr-Jun or else C$34; C$108 gets you a 5 year multiple entry visa with max stay of 6m., full online process, no BLS interactions, only passport n photo n online payment needed, biometrics at airport of arrival, BUT THIS VISA IS NON EXTENDABLE (so you can't go for a 30d visa and apply for extension at FRRO). If you want do the math, OCI makes sense if you will visit India > 12 times as compared to buying 30d visas, or 20 years of visits if you buy 5yr visas.

OCI just doesn't make sense for kids who are between 15 n 20, cos they will need a new one when they renew their passport after crossing 20. and in any case, each family has its own assessment - how much will parents travel n how much will kids travel etc.

 

[2017CanadaHo!]

Hi all,

Just started the OCI process for new issuance - I've upload my picture and signature image and have now started to upload the documents required. I've uploaded current passport/ employment letter/ Indian origin proof (passport). Are the other three required - Indian Visa (don't have one), PIO Card (never had one) and Relationship Certificate (it says birth certificate, but Indian passport has the parent's names).

Thanks for your help!

if you didn't have a PIO you can't upload it, same for visa. as for rel cert, if you were born in India, have an Indian pp then no need for a rel cert.

 

[2017CanadaHo!]

Hi all,

Just started the OCI process for new issuance - I've upload my picture and signature image and have now started to upload the documents required. I've uploaded current passport/ employment letter/ Indian origin proof (passport). Are the other three required - Indian Visa (don't have one), PIO Card (never had one) and Relationship Certificate (it says birth certificate, but Indian passport has the parent's names).

Thanks for your help!

rel cert is say for spouse route, or for kids who were born here but have Indian roots thru their parents. and thats why you choose "self" in the field "relationship with root Indian". because..................apun'ich bhagwaan hai.

 

[abbas.pasha]

Hi all,

Just started the OCI process for new issuance - I've upload my picture and signature image and have now started to upload the documents required. I've uploaded current passport/ employment letter/ Indian origin proof (passport). Are the other three required - Indian Visa (don't have one), PIO Card (never had one) and Relationship Certificate (it says birth certificate, but Indian passport has the parent's names).

Thanks for your help!

please ensure with the pdfs:
- current passport: include the citizenship certificate as well
- Indian passport: include the surrender certificate as well

If you have a spouse but you are not apply OCI for them, do include their passport and certificates as well in the above pdf

 

[abbas.pasha]

rel cert is say for spouse route, or for kids who were born here but have Indian roots thru their parents. and thats why you choose "self" in the field "relationship with root Indian". because..................apun'ich bhagwaan hai.

filmi malaria Johnny

 

[abbas.pasha]

OCI - one time headache, but very expensive especially when you're doing it for a family and dealing with BLS - around C$400/bakra. and another C$100 per person every 10 years (and even more for minors, and every 5 years for minors).

E-visa - cheap, multiple entry, get for C$14 for 30d. if you want to go during Apr-Jun or else C$34; C$108 gets you a 5 year multiple entry visa with max stay of 6m., full online process, no BLS interactions, only passport n photo n online payment needed, biometrics at airport of arrival, BUT THIS VISA IS NON EXTENDABLE (so you can't go for a 30d visa and apply for extension at FRRO). If you want do the math, OCI makes sense if you will visit India > 12 times as compared to buying 30d visas, or 20 years of visits if you buy 5yr visas.

OCI just doesn't make sense for kids who are between 15 n 20, cos they will need a new one when they renew their passport after crossing 20. and in any case, each family has its own assessment - how much will parents travel n how much will kids travel etc.

Maths bhi acchi khaasi kar helete ho tum

 

[2017CanadaHo!]

filmi malaria Johnny

ott malaria

 

[johnjkjk]

My confusion is not on this part "It has happened before and I found a HCI tweet confirming that it's allowed to travel with visa whilst OCI is processing." that's allowed.. OCI/Visa does not change an applicant's citizenship status tbh. It is a travel document which should be valid at the time one enters and exits the country.

What baffles me is after the fact that OP leaves India (while he was in the country on visa) and then comes back to India from another destination(other than Canada) with the OCI card

Yes that's the question which I have as well. What are the risks of doing so?

Converting evisa to OCI from within India is not possible. So when OCI is ready (and securely couriered to India), one would have to re-enter India with OCI. The question is simply whether one has to return to Canada or whether one can go to any third country to re-enter with OCI. I'm thinking in the worst case it could attract attention of an immigration officer who may question how OCI was obtained without going back to Canada to collect it, and make you stand there for a while to “make enquires”. I think this is an intriguing option for someone who has to travel in urgency and wants OCI.

 

[americanidiot]

I was sent back because my dad's name on the form included his middle name while on my Indian passport it wasn't there LOL. They said the consulate/MEA is flaky and might reject it.

BTW payment with debit is possible in Vancouver. The toronto folks might need a bank money order

Went back this morning but this time as walk in. I got there at 7:45 AM and my turn came up at 9:30AM which was alright since I was just listening to a podcast there. The submission process was a breeze and everything was fine with the rest of the application. Made the entire payment using debit card which is an option only in the Vancouver office. If you're applying elsewhere check your jurisdiction's rules around paying in person with debit. I know toronto requires a money order/demand draft.

 

[vijay_shavisan]

Hi Guys,
My current OCI status from OCI Services site below. In this case approximately when can I expect my OCI on hand. If anyone have the same situation or recently received, Pls guide. Thanks in advance.

Documents Printing Status	PROCESSED	On	24-APR-2023
Dispatched From MEA (OCI )	NEW DELHI	On	28-APR-2023
Document received At	TORONTO	On	28-APR-2023

 

[americanidiot]

Hi Guys,
My current OCI status from OCI Services site below. In this case approximately when can I expect my OCI on hand. If anyone have the same situation or recently received, Pls guide. Thanks in advance.

Documents Printing Status	PROCESSED	On	24-APR-2023
Dispatched From MEA (OCI )	NEW DELHI	On	28-APR-2023
Document received At	TORONTO	On	28-APR-2023

where do you check this status?

 

[abbas.pasha]

where do you check this status?

https://ociservices.gov.in/statusEnqury

 

[abbas.pasha]

Hi Guys,
My current OCI status from OCI Services site below. In this case approximately when can I expect my OCI on hand. If anyone have the same situation or recently received, Pls guide. Thanks in advance.

Documents Printing Status	PROCESSED	On	24-APR-2023
Dispatched From MEA (OCI )	NEW DELHI	On	28-APR-2023
Document received At	TORONTO	On	28-APR-2023

I would say in about a week's time...
Start checking the status here: https://www.blsindia-canada.com/toronto-jurisdiction/track-application.php

 

[abbas.pasha]

Yes that's the question which I have as well. What are the risks of doing so?

Converting evisa to OCI from within India is not possible. So when OCI is ready (and securely couriered to India), one would have to re-enter India with OCI. The question is simply whether one has to return to Canada or whether one can go to any third country to re-enter with OCI. I'm thinking in the worst case it could attract attention of an immigration officer who may question how OCI was obtained without going back to Canada to collect it, and make you stand there for a while to “make enquires”. I think this is an intriguing option for someone who has to travel in urgency and wants OCI.

I dont know tbh.. will Indian immigration accept this returning back to India with an OCI from a flight from another destination.. Technically yes they should but who knows the the scenario playing at the immigration.

 

[eparker42]

Went back this morning but this time as walk in. I got there at 7:45 AM and my turn came up at 9:30AM which was alright since I was just listening to a podcast there. The submission process was a breeze and everything was fine with the rest of the application. Made the entire payment using debit card which is an option only in the Vancouver office. If you're applying elsewhere check your jurisdiction's rules around paying in person with debit. I know toronto requires a money order/demand draft.

Awesome!
Just to confirm the documents that need to be uploaded:
-> Current Passport - Canadian PP + Citizenship certificate
-> Indian Origin Proof - Indian PP + Surrender certificate
-> Employment letter
(Applying only for me (spouse is still a PR), so I guess marriage certificate & spouse passport copy is not needed, am I right? )
Anything else?

Thank you for the update @americanidiot