+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

OCI process

Edmmillwoods

Newbie
Jul 24, 2022
4
2
I walked into BLS Edmonton office yesterday and I saw few new posters which wasn't there when I went to apply for OCI. It basically said that they are short staffed, and the wait is longer. So that might be it.
thank you for your suggestion. I walked in to BLS today, nobody was at front desk, waited almost 20 min to anyone show up. I asked very politely to give me update about my application and explain scenario that I got email from Consulate general that my OCI card was processed and hand over to BLS. The person on the front desk was just giving me same answers that my application is still at consulate and BLS does not received it even after I showed him email from consulate general office. Luckily nobody was around so I tried to push little harder to check so he did check something on his computer and told me that let me check on the back office. After 5 min, he came back with my OCI card and told me that it was glitch in the system (I heard he was talking to someone in the back that I emailed consulate general). Nothing wrong about front desk person since he was only looking what it was on the website and also thanking him because at least he helped to look around in the office.

Note: I complained about the person who took my application when I applied for the OCI card about not allowing to pick up and I had to pay courier fees even I am living 5 min away from the BLS office. On the envelope, “passport on hold” was written so I am assuming they intentionally hold my OCI card even it was processed just because I made complain.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vmaharajvk

pkshah

Star Member
Feb 6, 2015
62
3
35
CANADA
Visa Office......
NDVO
App. Filed.......
04/03/2014
AOR Received.
15-11-2016
File Transfer...
15-12-2016
Passport Req..
03/09/2015
VISA ISSUED...
05/09/2015
LANDED..........
05/09/2015
Ya that’s true , I called Bls today they asked me to talk with consulate general , there is one email provided to me, can somebody
share the process of surrender of these documents if they find it ? I don’t find any resource on the website , also I don’t have my own ration card but possibility of my name on my family ration card, what to do in that case?
Can you please share that email I’d oci.toronto@mea.gov.in
 

Prateek710

Hero Member
Jun 15, 2021
715
362
try whatever number that starts with CAN. I never waited for anything. I just used that CAN number to check the status. When did you submit the application?
To surrender an Indian voter ID, you can fill out Form 6A online at https://voterportal.eci.gov.in/. You can also download the form from the ECI website, or get it for free from an Indian Mission.

To surrender an Indian passport, you can:
Fill out the online application form on the Passport Seva website

Print the application form and sign it

Gather the required documents, including the original and a photocopy of your last Indian passport

Submit the application and documents to the Passport Office corresponding to your current address

The fee for a Surrender Certificate is 500 Indian Rupees. You can surrender an expired passport, but not an impounded, revoked, suspended, or canceled passport.

The processing time for an application depends on several factors, including the city where the application was submitted, the city or country where the passport was issued, and your current visa status.
 

SeniorStakes

Hero Member
Nov 7, 2018
732
409
Toronto
My Kid already has an OCI based on previous passport that had first name and last name in it - This was the same as the passport previously issued and did not include the middle name then.
Eg -
Son's first name - Sanjay, Middle Name - Anish, last name - Mishra

Passport and OCI details -
Given Name - Sanjay
Surname - Mishra

However in the latest Canadian passport my kids middle name was added as it was in the Canadian birth certificate. Now the passport reads
Eg-
Given Name - Sanjay Anish
Surname - Mishra

Question is
- Do i need to update and reissue my kid's OCI as the name in OCI does not match the latest passport anymore?
- If i need to update the name - what service should i opt for? Is it OCI misc service?
- What documents do i need to provide in this case ?

Any advise is appreciated.

Thanks in advance !
Therefore it's best to keep names simple. I wonder why people put middle name. There are other ways to showcase love.
 

SeniorStakes

Hero Member
Nov 7, 2018
732
409
Toronto
To surrender an Indian voter ID, you can fill out Form 6A online at https://voterportal.eci.gov.in/. You can also download the form from the ECI website, or get it for free from an Indian Mission.

To surrender an Indian passport, you can:
Fill out the online application form on the Passport Seva website

Print the application form and sign it

Gather the required documents, including the original and a photocopy of your last Indian passport

Submit the application and documents to the Passport Office corresponding to your current address

The fee for a Surrender Certificate is 500 Indian Rupees. You can surrender an expired passport, but not an impounded, revoked, suspended, or canceled passport.

The processing time for an application depends on several factors, including the city where the application was submitted, the city or country where the passport was issued, and your current visa status.
This is wrong info and it has been generated through chatgpt / copilot.
 

Sultan.Can

Member
Oct 16, 2024
12
2
I don't think so. On behalf of yourself, someone has to do from India.
But for that in India they need our Sign + Original ids to surrender, right?

On the Toronto checklist for OCI, they have added a new Declaration Form for Voter ID & Ration Card. Filling & attaching it will be enough?

I called BLS helpline number, they have no clue how to surrender those 2 ids here in Canada.
They just give an email id to contact CGI.

If anyone has any information regarding this, then please share here so it can help the others.
 

Sultan.Can

Member
Oct 16, 2024
12
2
"It is brought to the attention that with effect from 31 October 2024, all the OCI applicants have to sign a Declaration along with the prescribed documents as per the OCI checklist at the time of submission of OCI applications at the BLS.

This Declaration should be uploaded at the OCI portal under any of the tabs of the Uploading Section.

The Declaration may be downloaded at CLICK HERE. "

>> Found above on cgitoronto Website.
>> How to get the "file reference number" even before submitting the Final application??
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pankajrathi

rajesjmakhija0878

Full Member
May 10, 2021
23
5
Date Of Acknowledgment06-SEP-2024
Registration Status at MissionVANCOUVER
OCI Application StatusUNDER-PROCESS

No upate at all from over a month. Anyone in the same boat?
 

Prateek710

Hero Member
Jun 15, 2021
715
362
Date Of Acknowledgment06-SEP-2024
Registration Status at MissionVANCOUVER
OCI Application StatusUNDER-PROCESS

No upate at all from over a month. Anyone in the same boat?
Date of acknowledgement - 21 September and no updates either. Just under process. For Vancouver jurisdiction I think it takes almost 2 months you should see some update around 15 November. I am hoping to get updates by 30 November
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: rajesjmakhija0878

Prateek710

Hero Member
Jun 15, 2021
715
362
Date of acknowledgement - 21 September and no updates either. Just under process. For Vancouver jurisdiction I think it takes almost 2 months you should see some update around 15 November. I am hoping to get updates by 30 November
Please update me once you get update on your file
 

Chauhan1223

Star Member
Jun 22, 2013
165
3
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Visa Office......
New Delhi
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
LANDED..........
26-08-2013
My wife is applying for OCI. What should we answer to Question PREVIOUS NATIONALITY? We submitted the application with NA for that question. Question 10 but BLS returned the application saying we have to provide an answer.

My wife is a dual citizen. She is Canadian citizen by birth and is a British citizen by ancestry. Both her citizenships are valid and both passports are also current.

She is applying for OCI as I have a OCI and we have been married for more than 2 years.