OCI process

[Maha1981]

Thanks...to clarify, does this mean that you were without your Canadian passport for 6 weeks? And that they mailed it back to you only on Apr 25?

You don't have to submit your Canadian passport, the original documents that i had submitted were returned to me within a week.

Also, on 26th April it self BLS has dispatched the OCI booklet but it was never updated in their status page, I had to call them couple of time before they confirmed it has been dispatched and provided me the Tracking number.

 

[aries9811]

Can someone tell how to track Surrender Certificate status.. I don't see an option on bls-canada website ?

Also, for OCI Card is like a plastic Card ? or Some sort of sticker ?
They told me for surrender certificate..it takes 2-3 weeks and for OCI Card its 2-3months. However they said I can track both on their website but I am unable to see for surrender certificate. Please advice.

 

[amitdi]

Hi,
I have question regarding OCI re-issuance for minor. It was my understanding that OCI needs to re-issued for minors under 20, everytime they get a new passport. But I saw two authentic links where they mentioned that it is no longer the case -
https://boi.gov.in/content/visa-requirement
http://www.ociregistration.com/renew_oci.htm

Also, another forum has a thread where multiple people have confirmed that they have traveled with minors where OCI sticker was on expired passport -
https://www.immihelp.com/forum/showthread.php/202299-Minor-travelling-on-New-Old-Passport-without-OCI-Reissue

Can anyone on this forum share any firsthand experience? I have read that BLS information is not authentic. We are planning to travel with our son in October and he is about to receive his new passport.

 

[saini84]

Since, there are many people with different experiences with OCI, I wanted to post a few questions.
My Current situation: My wife and I are wairing for Canadian Citizenship ceremony as we have passed the test a week ago. I believe that in a month or two, we will get our citizenship and eventually, Canadian Passports. Our daughter was born here last year, so she is Canadian by birth.

I have to go to India this December. Since, the process of OCI takes from 3m-5m, I will not apply for it this year. I am planning to travel on Visa this year. My Questions:
1. If I travel by visa for first time, would that impact the OCI process if I come back and apply for it?
2. Do I need to surrender my passport immediately after receiving Canadian Citizenship? I believe, it should be yes as it would be illegal to carry 2 passports at a time.

 

[amitdi]

Since, there are many people with different experiences with OCI, I wanted to post a few questions.
My Current situation: My wife and I are wairing for Canadian Citizenship ceremony as we have passed the test a week ago. I believe that in a month or two, we will get our citizenship and eventually, Canadian Passports. Our daughter was born here last year, so she is Canadian by birth.

I have to go to India this December. Since, the process of OCI takes from 3m-5m, I will not apply for it this year. I am planning to travel on Visa this year. My Questions:
1. If I travel by visa for first time, would that impact the OCI process if I come back and apply for it?
2. Do I need to surrender my passport immediately after receiving Canadian Citizenship? I believe, it should be yes as it would be illegal to carry 2 passports at a time.

If you scroll back a page or 2, I have summarized three different options and timelines. But to answer your questions -
1) Dont think so. Even if it does affect (timeline-wise), you dont have a choice as getting OCI now is taking a risk if you have to travel. Even if it takes more time for OCI after your trip, it should be ok as you wont be under pressure. When it comes to anything with Indian consulate, dont rely on them is my rule of thumb.
2) Passport surrender requirement - eVisa-No, 6-month visa/OCI - Yes.

Note: eVisa has 60-day max stay. if your trip is less than 60 days, go for eVisa no-brainer.

 

[rustic]

If you scroll back a page or 2, I have summarized three different options and timelines. But to answer your questions -
1) Dont think so. Even if it does affect (timeline-wise), you dont have a choice as getting OCI now is taking a risk if you have to travel. Even if it takes more time for OCI after your trip, it should be ok as you wont be under pressure. When it comes to anything with Indian consulate, dont rely on them is my rule of thumb.
2) Passport surrender requirement - eVisa-No, 6-month visa/OCI - Yes.

Note: eVisa has 60-day max stay. if your trip is less than 60 days, go for eVisa no-brainer.

FYI: You don't need to declare the passport even for the 6-month visa. It is my personal experience.

 

[amitdi]

FYI: You don't need to declare the passport even for the 6-month visa. It is my personal experience.

Based on responses on this forum, I learnt that you need to surrender Indian passport in order to receive the 6-month visa. Is that not true?

 

[rustic]

Based on responses on this forum, I learnt that you need to surrender Indian passport in order to receive the 6-month visa. Is that not true?

No, I got my 6 month visa in November, I declared my passport in March.

 

[amitdi]

No, I got my 6 month visa in November, I declared my passport in March.

Thanks for sharing, good to know that.

 

[cprak0]

Since, there are many people with different experiences with OCI, I wanted to post a few questions.
My Current situation: My wife and I are wairing for Canadian Citizenship ceremony as we have passed the test a week ago. I believe that in a month or two, we will get our citizenship and eventually, Canadian Passports. Our daughter was born here last year, so she is Canadian by birth.

I have to go to India this December. Since, the process of OCI takes from 3m-5m, I will not apply for it this year. I am planning to travel on Visa this year. My Questions:
1. If I travel by visa for first time, would that impact the OCI process if I come back and apply for it?
2. Do I need to surrender my passport immediately after receiving Canadian Citizenship? I believe, it should be yes as it would be illegal to carry 2 passports at a time.

If I were you, I would surrender Indian passport and apply for the OCI right after receiving the Canadian passport.

Almost definitely you will have your OCI well before December, provided you get the Candian passport even by September 2018!
We were to travel to India this July, applied for OCI Feb 2018, and got the OCI by mid March 2018.

Yes, you get 3 months to surrender, but yes, one shouldn't travel to India on visa having not surrendered the Indian passport. It is lot less of a hassle if you go with just a visa, but lot cheaper in the long run with the OCI (yes, need to jump through hoops, though...)!

 

[mumbai1985]

We applied for citizenship in Oct 2017. It's still in process. No test invite yet. We are expecting our first child this fall. Spouse wants to travel to India in Jan 2019 and I want to travel in March 2019. We both will come back in April.

Based on current timelines for Brampton applicants, I dont forsee getting Oath before Oct-Nov. Is there any option to get oci faster?

 

[amitdi]

Hi,
I have question regarding OCI re-issuance for minor. It was my understanding that OCI needs to re-issued for minors under 20, everytime they get a new passport. But I saw two authentic links where they mentioned that it is no longer the case -
https://boi.gov.in/content/visa-requirement
http://www.ociregistration.com/renew_oci.htm

Also, another forum has a thread where multiple people have confirmed that they have traveled with minors where OCI sticker was on expired passport -
https://www.immihelp.com/forum/showthread.php/202299-Minor-travelling-on-New-Old-Passport-without-OCI-Reissue

Can anyone on this forum share any firsthand experience? I have read that BLS information is not authentic. We are planning to travel with our son in October and he is about to receive his new passport.

Bump, any experience...

 

[trudeau]

Almost definitely you will have your OCI well before December, provided you get the Candian passport even by September 2018!
We were to travel to India this July, applied for OCI Feb 2018, and got the OCI by mid March 2018.

Were you without your Canadian passport from Feb to mid-March (over 6 weeks!) in that case?

 

[shmak2016]

Hello

Today i submitted my OCI and passport surrender at BLS-Edmonton. They told me that it will take 3 months for OCI.

Does anyone share what is actual time to get OCI book let for edmonton region ?

When application status start showing on this link ?

https://passport.gov.in/oci/statusEnqury

 

[moabbasi]

Hello

Today i submitted my OCI and passport surrender at BLS-Edmonton. They told me that it will take 3 months for OCI.

Does anyone share what is actual time to get OCI book let for edmonton region ?

When application status start showing on this link ?

https://passport.gov.in/oci/statusEnqury

Check this thread: https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/oci.564994/page-2#post-7062396

Normally you should see the update within 7 days...