OCI process

[xylene]

Yikes, I guess you probably kissed goodbye to atleast one vacation plan!

I was reeling from the sticker shock. I just paid 200$ for the Canadian passport, so I’m loathe to pay for the OCI immediately. I’ll wait a couple months as I don’t plan to travel to India until Christmas

Yes. But wanted to get over it. Aging parents and family back home, you never know when you got to head back home.

 

[ashlobo]

Yes. But wanted to get over it. Aging parents and family back home, you never know when you got to head back home.

Yeah makes sense, sometimes just have to swallow it and move forward!

 

[olivec]

Got a request for spouse Birth Certificate from BLS application for OCI in process. They won't accept birth Certificate in French. Now have to get it translated. Such a hassle when spouse is not even applying for OCI.

Received my OCI card today although BLS had requested spouse birth certificate they issued it without me sending it.
Note : - Please keep checking status on OCI - India website. The status changed without even me sending the birth certificate. Saved me $120 for translating the Birth Certificate.

 

[S_Govind]

BLS Toronto had me running from pillar to post today before finally accepting my OCI application. This is how my Friday unfolded:

I made sure that I reached the office around 8.30 to get done with the paperwork when the crowd was thin, and so was it, just one counter was open and I was the only applicant at that time.

However, I was asked to go back and upload the landing document (where in the world is this even mentioned ???) to complete the online OCI registration. To my surprise, the online application DOES NOT have a proper selection to upload the landing document. On calling BLS I was asked to choose the INDIA VISA dropdown option to upload the document- weird eh ?!!!. I was also asked to paste the physical photo on the LAST PAGE of the OCI printout- again, WHERE on the website is this mentioned ?!. I had asked many agents at BLS on different occasions, and they had ALL asked me to paste the photo on top of the digital image on the first page!!

By this time, I had lost about 3 or 4 hours in commuting between DT and BLS, and when I did get there again, I was told my photo upload does not meet specifications despite the online application accepting it.

Was then asked to go to a nearby computer cafe to re-scan and re-upload the image. Surprisingly, the woman at the cafe had the scanner and printers set up to drop and re-size images not only for OCI, but also for passport renewal and Visa applicants.This to me, smells of an inside job, whereby BLS has a tacit understanding with this shop to force customers to go there and get their photos scanned again.

Finally, I got the paperwork approved around 3 PM

Just can wait to be done with this Indian bureauracy
Rant over

 

[sainswapna]

BLS Toronto had me running from pillar to post today before finally accepting my OCI application. This is how my Friday unfolded:
..
Finally, I got the paperwork approved around 3 PM
Just can wait to be done with this Indian bureauracy
Rant over

I had a similar experience at Ottawa BLS office. Took a day off to see through this hellhole process. I was well aware of all the shenanigans BLS will pull up as I went through this nightmare two times already (daughter in Brampton/2015 and wife in Ottawa 2017). Brampton (2015) experience was near traumatic, to say the least as we spent nearly 7 hours with 6 months old two hours away home. Took so much caution with paperwork this time, yet ended up doing an extra round trip (90 mins extra driving). It could have been two roundtrips but I took my laptop with me next time. The first visit they complained about parent's names order (swap first name and last name). They did not even touch half of color xerox copies they asked in the checklist. The second visit they asked me to upload the Canadian citizenship certificate, it was not listed anywhere to do so. Thanks to Tim Horton's wifi, I managed to submit the application by 1:40 PM (they close at 2 PM). The guy who collected the application had this shocking look on his face, probably thought I would not show up again that day. I am NOT looking forward to walking into that hellhole next year to renew my daughter's OCI.

 

[KRP]

BLS Toronto had me running from pillar to post today before finally accepting my OCI application. This is how my Friday unfolded:

I made sure that I reached the office around 8.30 to get done with the paperwork when the crowd was thin, and so was it, just one counter was open and I was the only applicant at that time.

However, I was asked to go back and upload the landing document (where in the world is this even mentioned ???) to complete the online OCI registration. To my surprise, the online application DOES NOT have a proper selection to upload the landing document. On calling BLS I was asked to choose the INDIA VISA dropdown option to upload the document- weird eh ?!!!. I was also asked to paste the physical photo on the LAST PAGE of the OCI printout- again, WHERE on the website is this mentioned ?!. I had asked many agents at BLS on different occasions, and they had ALL asked me to paste the photo on top of the digital image on the first page!!

By this time, I had lost about 3 or 4 hours in commuting between DT and BLS, and when I did get there again, I was told my photo upload does not meet specifications despite the online application accepting it.

Was then asked to go to a nearby computer cafe to re-scan and re-upload the image. Surprisingly, the woman at the cafe had the scanner and printers set up to drop and re-size images not only for OCI, but also for passport renewal and Visa applicants.This to me, smells of an inside job, whereby BLS has a tacit understanding with this shop to force customers to go there and get their photos scanned again.

Finally, I got the paperwork approved around 3 PM

Just can wait to be done with this Indian bureauracy
Rant over

Govindji which office did u apply? I did mine from Victoria Park one and from start made the fuckin Bls Staff know that I am not that easy guy u could screw around with. I had everything as per my taste or else being in Scarborough these private agency staff called BLS would have definitely faced my MUSIC.

 

[S_Govind]

Govindji which office did u apply? I did mine from Victoria Park one and from start made the fuckin Bls Staff know that I am not that easy guy u could screw around with. I had everything as per my taste or else being in Scarborough these private agency staff called BLS would have definitely faced my MUSIC.

Yes, the one at the Victoria Terrace shopping center. Did you face any resistance from their staff when you requested for an in person pick up ?

I did face some resistance when one of the staff straight up lied saying that the consulate would DIRECTLY mail the OCI card through Registered post- what a bundle of BS, and he wanted me to believe this.

When I further pushed him, he conceded saying that a personal pick up means extra paperwork for them as they have to put a note on the file reflecting the same.

A bunch of incompetent folks who areclearly unhappy at what they do.

I'm considering registering a formal complaint with the Embassy once I get my OCI status

 

[KRP]

Yes, the one at the Victoria Terrace shopping center. Did you face any resistance from their staff when you requested for an in person pick up ?

I did face some resistance when one of the staff straight up lied saying that the consulate would DIRECTLY mail the OCI card through Registered post- what a bundle of BS, and he wanted me to believe this.

When I further pushed him, he conceded saying that a personal pick up means extra paperwork for them as they have to put a note on the file reflecting the same.

A bunch of incompetent folks who areclearly unhappy at what they do.

I'm considering registering a formal complaint with the Embassy once I get my OCI status

My case was that I did my surrender part and was told to take courier service since no pick up service is available. It was 4 applications. I agreed .
After a couple of days the courier guy comes over and puts a chit at the apt post box that no one available though I was at home. I had to go to Purolator office at Finch to collect the same on a very bad wintry day.
After a month I went to BLS for OCI. I met a person called Anthony( with spectacles) who is a Karnataka guy. I clearly told him that though I paid for courier for the surrender part still I had to go over to Purolator office and collect the same. What is the use of paying and goin over for collecting the same? .
So he quietly took my OCI applications and put personal pick up but tried to act smart by returning copies which were required. Here he tried to return the parents consent letter for minor kids to get OCI . I saw this and asked him why the fuc he gave this part back. He had no answer and quietly took the consent letter .
They will try to harass you if you do not avail the courier service or photo session with them as they get commission on every application.
They just make $ 17 per hour. The ring leader is a short haired lady called Elsa from Goa who controls the entire operations. Also the security guy there is hand in glove with these people. Also there is a kaali girl with bleached brown hair on sides . She is from Hyderabad. She just could not look in my eyes and speak up for all the lies they tell and make fool of their own country folks.
No use complaining to embassy as its a close knit affair. Where is Mr. Clean ( Chowkidaar)

 

[S_Govind]

@xylene @KRP

Would the online status in the BLS site change as and when the landing paper is mailed back from the Consulate General, or would the status still show as "processing at the consulate general" until the receipt of the OCI card ?.

Did you receive the AOR in the email or the mail ?

I have opted for the in-person pick up option. Have got the canceled passport back, but waiting on the landing paper..

 

[xylene]

@xylene @KRP

Would the online status in the BLS site change as and when the landing paper is mailed back from the Consulate General, or would the status still show as "processing at the consulate general" until the receipt of the OCI card ?.

Did you receive the AOR in the email or the mail ?

I have opted for the in-person pick up option. Have got the canceled passport back, but waiting on the landing paper..

The BLS status would change to original dispatched. You should get the originals back in 1 to 2 weeks after the oci start processing.

 

[S_Govind]

The BLS status would change to original dispatched. You should get the originals back in 1 to 2 weeks after the oci start processing.

Thanks, and may I ask if you received the AOR for the OCI in the email or was it with the original documents ?

 

[xylene]

Thanks, and may I ask if you received the AOR for the OCI in the email or was it with the original documents ?

It was with the original documents. But you can use the reference number when you applied on oci website to track on the govt website.

 

[yezdi_in]

you can do surrender of Indian passport and oci together after you receive your Canadian ppt.

1. If I go to BLS Brampton in person can I drop the OCI Applications of all my family together? (Mine and wife's in one application and our son's in a separate application since he is adult). Or should they also come with me?
2. Do Costco or Walmart take photographs as per OCI specs? Costco use white background. I think OCI says non-white light color background. Have anyone used these studios?

 

[yezdi_in]

From a specimen OCI application saw on the internet, I understand that there is a question of job/ occupation in the OCI application and it is mentioned that if you are retired, mention the name of your last employer. I am self employed and should I also write my last employer's name? Has anyone been in similar situation (self-employed)? Your suggestions please

 

[xylene]

From a specimen OCI application saw on the internet, I understand that there is a question of job/ occupation in the OCI application and it is mentioned that if you are retired, mention the name of your last employer. I am self employed and should I also write my last employer's name? Has anyone been in similar situation (self-employed)? Your suggestions please

You could write Self Employed Or the business name.