OCI process

[johnjkjk]

1. I uploaded color copies online but they were not self attested. My application is with Consulate General right now. Let's see if it's ok.

2. Yes. Basic details such as employer name and address, are u a full time employee, designation, hours per week, contact number of employer in case your employment needs to be verified. I honestly think its just a formality. They need to verify that you don't work for any federal or provincial govt. I hear Canadian govt employees are not eligible for OCI.

3. File number is the one which starts from CAN. You get it after you submit part 1 of the online OCI form.

Ok thanks. Will black and white scans work? Somehow my scanner isn't working in colour.

I'm casually self employed, so would I need to write a letter for myself explaining the same?

 

[damlemadhur]

Purolator lost the surrender certificate I had submitted as part of the OCI application. Steps I followed -
1. Called Purolator and created a tracking request
2. They spent a few days trying to track it and confirmed via email that the package 'could not be tracked'
3. Forwarded the confirmation and detailed the problem to the email - cccanada@blsinternational.net
4. Purolator delivered the original surrender certificate in few days

Step 3 is not clear anywhere and I had sent about 15 emails to the Toronto BLS email address without any reply. They have little to no interest in customer service. I got the email after I got through to BLS support on a call.

I was told that they would manage the process of getting a new\duplicate if Purolator was not able to 'locate' the original certificate. Thankfully, it didnt come to that.

All the best!

Thanks for the detailed response.. I have mailed cccanada@blsinternational.net, as you said, havent got anything from them yet. I will wait for couple of days, mostly next week will call them up.
I too hope that my daughters OCI magically comes up one day!!

 

[pHrankee]

Ok thanks. Will black and white scans work? Somehow my scanner isn't working in colour.

I'm casually self employed, so would I need to write a letter for myself explaining the same?

1. I don't think that should be an issue. It's still the right document.

2. Yes, a letter explaining your self employment should suffice

 

[abbas.pasha]

Do I need to upload colour self attested copies online with the application form?

Is it ok to write a letter for self-employment? What details are needed?

Also the checklist asks for file number. Is this the same as the one on the SC?

Thanks for your help! This is super stressful

Self attested copies are not required to be uploaded. You can upload copies without the self attestation
Yeah letter describing you present role start date. No need to declare salary etc. they wanna make sure you are not working for the Govt or CAF (Canadian Armed Forces)
File reference is basically the CANTxxxxx if you applying from Toronto jurisdiction

 

[johnjkjk]

What's a suitable abbreviation for money order for the Toronto consulate?

"The Consulate General of India - Toronto" is way too long; it doesn't fit.

I previously abbreviated BLS to "BLS INTL Services Canada INC" and it was fine but am worried about the consulate.

 

[pHrankee]

What's a suitable abbreviation for money order for the Toronto consulate?

"The Consulate General of India - Toronto" is way too long; it doesn't fit.

I previously abbreviated BLS to "BLS INTL Services Canada INC" and it was fine but am worried about the consulate.

The DD I got from my bank and which was accepted at BLS Brampton has the below.
"Consulate General of India, Toronto".
The bank personnel had no issues putting the above on the draft.

 

[johnjkjk]

The DD I got from my bank and which was accepted at BLS Brampton has the below.
"Consulate General of India, Toronto".
The bank personnel had no issues putting the above on the draft.

Unfortunately Canada Post money order has a limitation. Will try bank draft instead.

 

[pHrankee]

Unfortunately Canada Post money order has a limitation. Will try bank draft instead.

Ya don't go for money order..demand draft is a better option

 

[h3xx_r_d]

It’s been a week since I submitted my OCI application in person at BLS Toronto. The status on the BLS website is “Processing at Consulate General” but on the OCI website it says “no such record found”.

Does it take longer to see an update on the OCI portal?

 

[pHrankee]

It’s been a week since I submitted my OCI application in person at BLS Toronto. The status on the BLS website is “Processing at Consulate General” but on the OCI website it says “no such record found”.

Does it take longer to see an update on the OCI portal?

I would like to know the answer for this as well?

 

[nocturnal123]

It’s been a week since I submitted my OCI application in person at BLS Toronto. The status on the BLS website is “Processing at Consulate General” but on the OCI website it says “no such record found”.

Does it take longer to see an update on the OCI portal?

I did postal application. The status on BLS website started showing as processing at Consulate General on June 28, 2023. The OCI website started showing my record on July 7 2023. It took 10 days for me after the BLS update to see my record on OCI portal. I would say its a 1 to 2 week time frame for the acknowledgement from OCI portal.

 

[johnjkjk]

I did postal application. The status on BLS website started showing as processing at Consulate General on June 28, 2023. The OCI website started showing my record on July 7 2023. It took 10 days for me after the BLS update to see my record on OCI portal. I would say its a 1 to 2 week time frame for the acknowledgement from OCI portal.

I'm about to do postal application and need your help:

Did you pay for Purolator pickup and drop-off service online?

Did you paste the photo on the form or attach it separately? Does it need a studio stamp at the back?

Thanks

 

[nocturnal123]

I'm about to do postal application and need your help:

Did you pay for Purolator pickup and drop-off service online?

Did you paste the photo on the form or attach it separately? Does it need a studio stamp at the back?

Thanks

I paid for the Purolator pick up and drop off service by calling BLS number on the website. They send an email link for payment. I live in Windsor. So they charged me 110$ for pick up and drop-off service. I personally dropped my application package at Purolator myself rather than they come to my home and pick it up.
I didn't paste the photo on the form. I got my photo done at shoppers and they stamped the back of it. I placed the photo in the photo envelope that Shoppers gave me and sent it along with the package. When you fill up the application online you have to upload a digital version of the photo that is automatically printed on the application. So you don't paste any photo on the application.

 

[h3xx_r_d]

I did postal application. The status on BLS website started showing as processing at Consulate General on June 28, 2023. The OCI website started showing my record on July 7 2023. It took 10 days for me after the BLS update to see my record on OCI portal. I would say its a 1 to 2 week time frame for the acknowledgement from OCI portal.

Thanks for sharing! I’ll check again next week.
Did you already receive your OCI card?

 

[johnjkjk]

I paid for the Purolator pick up and drop off service by calling BLS number on the website. They send an email link for payment. I live in Windsor. So they charged me 110$ for pick up and drop-off service. I personally dropped my application package at Purolator myself rather than they come to my home and pick it up.
I didn't paste the photo on the form. I got my photo done at shoppers and they stamped the back of it. I placed the photo in the photo envelope that Shoppers gave me and sent it along with the package. When you fill up the application online you have to upload a digital version of the photo that is automatically printed on the application. So you don't paste any photo on the application.

Thanks, I just did the same. Hope they don’t find any errors.

The pickup/drop off charge is ridiculous. For SC they we’re initially quoting me $180 allegedly because I live in a “remote area” (I don’t), but I challenged them and they “discovered” a lower price of $79 with my pickup address as the nearest purolator branch. Today they charged me $73 (should be 30-35x2). I bet there’s some corruption happening. $10 extra per application for 50,000 a year makes a lot of money for the “office secret Santa fund”