OCI process

[nskatcv]

CGI Status:
12th April: Under Process
18th April: Surrender certificate has been printed

BLS Status:
12th April: In Transit from BLS Centre to Consulate General
19th April: In Transit from Consulate General to BLS Centre
22nd April (Morning): Ready for dispatch
22nd April (Evening): Dispatched via Courier | SMS from Purolator with tracking number also received

Although excited that it is coming pretty much on a fast time frame, but we are travelling out for a few days, so I just changed the delivery preferences to signature not required and to be left at the front door, from where fellow tenants can keep it until we return.

OCI Submission Experience @ BLS Surrey today (28th April 2022)

Showed up on time, very few people there.
Quick pre-screening done, all documents in order. No original asked to be shown.
Got the token, only 2 people ahead.
At the submission counter, requested for self pick-up citing (bad) experience with Purolator during SC.
Staff said they don't do it usually, but will do an exception. (Saved ~$66 I think)
Paid by Debit Card.
Was told the OCI shall be here in 30-40 days. Keep checking the status, or visit the center after around 40 days.
In and out in about half an hour.

Shall keep the forum posted on the progress.

 

[drkobra]

Lets discuss after citizenship process. Some have dual nationality and happily keep both passport and for them process ends there.
Lot of other new canadian citizen with India nationality have to spend further time and money in surrender certificate and OCI

Anyone with OCI please share experience and process flow step by step. I suppose we have to give all our canadian original documents of proof of landing and citizenship for verification. For OCI they call you multiple time to office. Is a face to face interview also required.

For Vancouver BLS office, has anyone been able to submit postal application to surrender Indian citizenship and application for OCI together?

 

[vvarma]

OCI Submission Experience @ BLS Surrey today (28th April 2022)

Showed up on time, very few people there.
Quick pre-screening done, all documents in order. No original asked to be shown.
Got the token, only 2 people ahead.
At the submission counter, requested for self pick-up citing (bad) experience with Purolator during SC.
Staff said they don't do it usually, but will do an exception. (Saved ~$60 I think)
Was told the OCI shall be here in 30-40 days. Keep checking the status, or visit the center after around 40 days.
In and out in about half an hour.

Shall keep the forum posted on the progress.

Thats nice! All you have to do is wait now. You should get it in that time frame. Vancouver is pretty predictable with their time lines.

 

[drkobra]

Thats nice! All you have to do is wait now. You should get it in that time frame. Vancouver is pretty predictable with their time lines.

Hello nskatcv and vvarma, thank you for sharing your experiences with BLS Vancouver. I live in Alberta, so in person submission in BLS Vancouver is not an option. I am contemplating submitting passport surrender and application for OCI in single mail correspondence to cut down on processing time. Wondering if you have any information in this regard. I appreciate any advice you might have. Regards.

 

[vvarma]

Hello nskatcv and vvarma, thank you for sharing your experiences with BLS Vancouver. I live in Alberta, so in person submission in BLS Vancouver is not an option. I am contemplating submitting passport surrender and application for OCI in single mail correspondence to cut down on processing time. Wondering if you have any information in this regard. I appreciate any advice you might have. Regards.

You will be having BLS Centers in Alberta too which falls under Vancouver jurisdiction. So for SC atleast you can walkin without an appointment (and try your luck with OCI at the same time) IF there is a center close to you.

Unfortunately, since the beginning of this month, Vancouver jurisdiction has stopped accepting SC + OCI together. Do call them and see what they say about mailing application together.

 

[nskatcv]

Hello nskatcv and vvarma, thank you for sharing your experiences with BLS Vancouver. I live in Alberta, so in person submission in BLS Vancouver is not an option. I am contemplating submitting passport surrender and application for OCI in single mail correspondence to cut down on processing time. Wondering if you have any information in this regard. I appreciate any advice you might have. Regards.

Alberta has BLS in Edmonton and Calgary that also fall under Vancouver jurisdiction.

In fact, any BLS center in the following shall fall under it.

1. - Saskatchewan
2. - Alberta
3. - British Columbia
4. - Yukon Territory
5. - Northwest Territories

For the rest, follow the correct advice by @vvarma

 

[drkobra]

Alberta has BLS in Edmonton and Calgary that also fall under Vancouver jurisdiction.

In fact, any BLS center in the following shall fall under it.

1. - Saskatchewan
2. - Alberta
3. - British Columbia
4. - Yukon Territory
5. - Northwest Territories

For the rest, follow the correct advice by @vvarma

Unfortunately, I don't close to either Edmonton or Calgary.

 

[prt22]

OCI Submitted In-person @ Surrey : 28 March 2022
Status updated on BLS website: 29 March
After few days, BLS has been showing processing at consulate general

Checking on OCI status website -
Date Of Acknowledgment: 02 April
Under Process till yesterday

Documents Printing Status	PROCESSED	On	22-APR-2022
Dispatched From MEA (OCI )	NEW DELHI	On
Document received At	VANCOUVER	On

Documents Printing Status	PROCESSED	On	22-APR-2022
Dispatched From MEA (OCI )	NEW DELHI	On	28-APR-2022
Document received At	VANCOUVER	On	28-APR-2022

BLS status still shows processing at consulate. I am hoping they get the OCI from consulate tomorrow and ship it out by Purolator so I receive it Monday morning. Vancouver jurisdiction takes a little over a month to get OCI (considering business days only 20-25 days)

 

[prt22]

Unfortunately, I don't close to either Edmonton or Calgary.

The benefit of applying in person is that you don't have to worry about your originals getting misplaced in mail. It is also slightly faster. So if you could make a trip to whichever is closer to you: Calgary/Edmonton then that's good but I understand that Alberta is a massive province just like BC and you could be in remote Alberta far from BLS center.

Not everyone is able to apply in person either due to the center being far away or not enough appointment slots available for in person submission. You can still apply through mail but the process can be a bit complicated and extra $$

 

[akbardxb]

How does one get an appointment at BLS Brampton? The calendar shows dates till May 31st but no availability.

 

[bhushh009]

OCI Submission Experience @ BLS Surrey today (28th April 2022)

Showed up on time, very few people there.
Quick pre-screening done, all documents in order. No original asked to be shown.
Got the token, only 2 people ahead.
At the submission counter, requested for self pick-up citing (bad) experience with Purolator during SC.
Staff said they don't do it usually, but will do an exception. (Saved ~$60 I think)
Was told the OCI shall be here in 30-40 days. Keep checking the status, or visit the center after around 40 days.
In and out in about half an hour.

Shall keep the forum posted on the progress.

Did you have to submit the original copy of your Canadian Passport and citizenship certificate? or just a scanned copy is enough?

 

[nskatcv]

Did you have to submit the original copy of your Canadian Passport and citizenship certificate? or just a scanned copy is enough?

I did not understand your question actually. What is the difference between Original Copy and Scanned Copy?

Anyhow, I submitted self-attested copies of both of them, but was not asked to show any of the originals.

 

[razi94]

Help!!!
I already applied for OCI for my minor daughter (Canadian citizen). It is still on processing status. As i have already booked the flight ticket for June 1st, I'm planning to take visa as plan b. Which visa should i apply for, Tourist visa or entry visa?
And also, in the check list it says surrender certificate is mandarory. My daughter does not have this as she is canadian by birth and we parents are still indian citizens (PR). any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[santzapaul]

Help!!!
I already applied for OCI for my minor daughter (Canadian citizen). It is still on processing status. As i have already booked the flight ticket for June 1st, I'm planning to take visa as plan b. Which visa should i apply for, Tourist visa or entry visa?
And also, in the check list it says surrender certificate is mandarory. My daughter does not have this as she is canadian by birth and we parents are still indian citizens (PR). any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

The surrender certificate is applicable only for Indian-origin foreign nationals and does not apply to your daughter. A surrender certificate is given to folks who surrender their Indian passport and renounce their Indian citizenship.

 

[Immigreat81]

Can a Canadian citizen and resident apply for the surrender certificate and OCI while on holiday in USA?