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OCI process

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Risabh_Canada said:
Hi guys , from all the experienced people here just wanted to check what original documents are BLS toronto keeping for OCI ? Will they just check originals and return . I have appointment on monday so please do confirm
Click to expand...

Please let me know your experience
 
Risabh_Canada said:
Please let me know your experience
Click to expand...

It varies e.g. Cancelled Indian Passport (in case of most adults) and Canadian Birth Certificate (in case of most children born in Canada)

But that's something new, they were not keeping the originals earlier. Moreover not all BLS centers are keeping the originals.

In my opinion, be ready for any original to be kept because its just a tactic for BLS Toronto to make more money by selling their expensive courier fees multiple times for originals and OCI. So BLS is just keeping the original document for fun.

Don't believe me, try asking them that you can to pickup that original document yourself OR ask them not to courier it separately, instead club it with OCI courier since they force courier charges for OCI anyway. They will give you excuses like timeline is different or documents are sent by consulate directly. All that is BS (you can track eventually the source and destination).


Questioning them for anything impacts their shady business method. So if you just agree to their monopoly/shady extortion, you may get better rate/service from them actually.

Here are few examples (feel free to skip):

1) Playing-along nicely with them: Didn't question them on anything today. Process went smooth. I got charged $30 per courier (i.e. $60 for OCI and Original document)

2) Questioning them: Few weeks ago during my Surrender Certificate (+ my friend's for OCI application), we questioned them at multiple points. The BLS guy was rude and charged $35 per courier (for my surrender certificate, my friends original, OCI etc.)

3) Playing-along nicely with them: One family next to us had some issues with their application. They agreed to take lot of BLS in-house services like photo (didn't question on couriers etc.) and paid the whole amount but application had many mistakes + documents were missing too. BLS person asked them to come after 1 hour or so with all the corrections (its common and people don't need appointment again). Even gave them an option to email instead of visiting.

4) Questioning them: One saw another family next to me today like last time but this couple questioned them on few points. They came in for their minor's OCI and the lady was pregnant with another child but she still came to be on safer side. We all know how complex is the overall process for a person applying OCI for the first time, you are certain to miss a document or make a mistake. Now this couple could have got all the options like last time couple but no they were asked to go back and get the appointment again after corrections (they got today's appointment 3 months ago). Walk-in is highly challenging these days, especially for pregnant women to wait for hours outside.

BLS people are bit bossy and they don't like to be questioned much, if anything like that happens they get angry and you will always be on the losing end.
 
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vg1989 said:
It varies e.g. Cancelled Indian Passport (in case of most adults) and Canadian Birth Certificate (in case of most children born in Canada)

But that's something new, they were not keeping the originals earlier. Moreover not all BLS centers are keeping the originals.

In my opinion, be ready for any original to be kept because its just a tactic for BLS Toronto to make more money by selling their expensive courier fees multiple times for originals and OCI. So BLS is just keeping the original document for fun.

Don't believe me, try asking them that you can to pickup that original document yourself OR ask them not to courier it separately, instead club it with OCI courier since they force courier charges for OCI anyway. They will give you excuses like timeline is different or documents are sent by consulate directly. All that is BS (you can track eventually the source and destination).


Questioning them for anything impacts their shady business method. So if you just agree to their monopoly/shady extortion, you may get better rate/service from them actually.

Here are few examples (feel free to skip):

1) Playing-along nicely with them: Didn't question them on anything today. Process went smooth. I got charged $30 per courier (i.e. $60 for OCI and Original document)

2) Questioning them: Few weeks ago during my Surrender Certificate (+ my friend's for OCI application), we questioned them at multiple points. The BLS guy was rude and charged $35 per courier (for my surrender certificate, my friends original, OCI etc.)

3) Playing-along nicely with them: One family next to us had some issues with their application. They agreed to take lot of BLS in-house services like photo (didn't question on couriers etc.) and paid the whole amount but application had many mistakes + documents were missing too. BLS person asked them to come after 1 hour or so with all the corrections (its common and people don't need appointment again). Even gave them an option to email instead of visiting.

4) Questioning them: One saw another family next to me today like last time but this couple questioned them on few points. They came in for their minor's OCI and the lady was pregnant with another child but she still came to be on safer side. We all know how complex is the overall process for a person applying OCI for the first time, you are certain to miss a document or make a mistake. Now this couple could have got all the options like last time couple but no they were asked to go back and get the appointment again after corrections (they got today's appointment 3 months ago). Walk-in is highly challenging these days, especially for pregnant women to wait for hours outside.

BLS people are bit bossy and they don't like to be questioned much, if anything like that happens they get angry and you will always be on the losing end.
Click to expand...

It seems they get training at govt office in India. Instead of bribe they take money in the name of additional services.
 
vg1989 said:
It varies e.g. Cancelled Indian Passport (in case of most adults) and Canadian Birth Certificate (in case of most children born in Canada)

But that's something new, they were not keeping the originals earlier. Moreover not all BLS centers are keeping the originals.

In my opinion, be ready for any original to be kept because its just a tactic for BLS Toronto to make more money by selling their expensive courier fees multiple times for originals and OCI. So BLS is just keeping the original document for fun.

Don't believe me, try asking them that you can to pickup that original document yourself OR ask them not to courier it separately, instead club it with OCI courier since they force courier charges for OCI anyway. They will give you excuses like timeline is different or documents are sent by consulate directly. All that is BS (you can track eventually the source and destination).


Questioning them for anything impacts their shady business method. So if you just agree to their monopoly/shady extortion, you may get better rate/service from them actually.

Here are few examples (feel free to skip):

1) Playing-along nicely with them: Didn't question them on anything today. Process went smooth. I got charged $30 per courier (i.e. $60 for OCI and Original document)

2) Questioning them: Few weeks ago during my Surrender Certificate (+ my friend's for OCI application), we questioned them at multiple points. The BLS guy was rude and charged $35 per courier (for my surrender certificate, my friends original, OCI etc.)

3) Playing-along nicely with them: One family next to us had some issues with their application. They agreed to take lot of BLS in-house services like photo (didn't question on couriers etc.) and paid the whole amount but application had many mistakes + documents were missing too. BLS person asked them to come after 1 hour or so with all the corrections (its common and people don't need appointment again). Even gave them an option to email instead of visiting.

4) Questioning them: One saw another family next to me today like last time but this couple questioned them on few points. They came in for their minor's OCI and the lady was pregnant with another child but she still came to be on safer side. We all know how complex is the overall process for a person applying OCI for the first time, you are certain to miss a document or make a mistake. Now this couple could have got all the options like last time couple but no they were asked to go back and get the appointment again after corrections (they got today's appointment 3 months ago). Walk-in is highly challenging these days, especially for pregnant women to wait for hours outside.

BLS people are bit bossy and they don't like to be questioned much, if anything like that happens they get angry and you will always be on the losing end.
Click to expand...
where was this BLS toronto or BLS Brampton ?
 
bhushh009 said:
Just so you guys know.. BLS ottawa keeps original documents.
Click to expand...
What do you mean by keep original documents? They don't return them?
 
alexpolis007 said:
hi All,

i see that there are no appointments available for surrender of Indian passport at Brampton office. I am driving all the way from Windsor.
Is there any specific time at night when slots are released ? any suggestions please ? i am trying to get an appointment at Brampton BLS for surrender of Indian passport

https://www.blsindia-canada.com/appointmentbls/appointment.php
Click to expand...
Surrender for Indian passport does not need appointment. you can walk in. you can check at 7pm
 
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Just had an OCI appointment at BLS Toronto . In & Out in 1 Hour with appointment . Long line for walk ins. Staff was courteous & Good


Only complaint is they demanding unnecessary documents for me

1)Spouse OCI , spouse cancellation certificate , Spouse cancelled passport & Marriage certificate.
Nowhere in checklist its mentioned CGI needs these documents

Unnessary just to photocopy they are demanding these documents


2)They kept original Indian cancelled passport for me . said i will receive it in mail in few weeks . Charged $30 courier . Asked can i pickup . Says it for emergency only

3)I asked i want to do pickup . Says its for emergency only. Have to pay 30 for courier for OCI return

Hope it helps


Will complain once my OCI is done. whatever documents they required should be in checklist
 
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My OCI Application Experience, Walk-In with appointment at 10 AM 40 Gillingham Drive, Brampton BLS Office on May 16th 2022

Appointment was reserved under PASSPORT on 12th April 2022

Reached location by 9:59 AM was let in about a few minutes. Guard verified appointment time and name they updated it as OCI on the appointment list

In line with token for less than 15 minutes

Person at the counter # 2 name was Baljeet Kaur was very courteous, asked me for what service I was there for and I replied back with "OCI" and Handed over the online application print out.

She requested for photograph and the below docs in original

Indian Surrendered passport with SC original verified and returned

Canadian Passport original verified and returned I asked if she wanted the Citizenship Certificate she replied back "not needed"

She asked if I wanted to use postal service. Politely declined

List of Documents provided:

1 Driving License Copy - For Address Proof
2 SC and Indian Passport Copy - For Proof of Indian Citizenship
3 Canadian Passport copy and Citizenship certificate copy - For Proof of Canadian Citizenship
4 Bank Draft for CGI Toronto - $ 345

That's it the person confirmed that my application is good.

Was requested to pay the BLS fee for $ 8.10 with Debit

Out of the location by 10:27 AM
 
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Just to let everyone know. There are bunch of appointments opened in Brampton BLS for May month under "Passport". Grab it before it's too late. Good luck :)
 
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