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Hi all just a quick question - which is a better option OCI or visa for india? And which is cheaper?
OCI-- you can live and work permanently in India . costs $425
Visa- for short term visit , study or work. cost depends on purpose.
 
How much visit visa cost?
one year multiple entry visitor visa is $ 167
5 yr multiple entry visitor visa is $ 320.

For OCI , you must surrender your Indian passport which costs $ 250.
So total cost for OCI is 425 + 250 = $675 + courier fees, photos etc. ( roughly $ 750)

OCI is one time $ 750 , for life you don't have to spend any money on Indian visas and
NO hassles with India immigration.


also see
https://www.blsindia-canada.com/touristvisa.php

also note , due to covid , as far as I know, visitor visas are not being issued at this time.
 
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Hi all, question regarding OCI application for Canadian born kids of a legally separated single parent in Canada (formerly in a common law relationship) .. how can application be done for the kids based on the single parent's Indian heritage, i.e. being a former citizen of India (the single parent is a Canadian Citizen and currently has OCI as well) ..
 
one year multiple entry visitor visa is $ 167
5 yr multiple entry visitor visa is $ 320.

For OCI , you must surrender your Indian passport which costs $ 250.
So total cost for OCI is 425 + 250 = $675 + courier fees, photos etc. ( roughly $ 750)

OCI is one time $ 750 , for life you don't have to spend any money on Indian visas and
NO hassles with India immigration.


also see
https://www.blsindia-canada.com/touristvisa.php

also note , due to covid , as far as I know, visitor visas are not being issued at this time.

Hi guys, I am using mail services for both surrender of indian passport and to get OCI.(From Toronto)

Could you please confirm if all is correct below for the fees to be paid and the draft to be made in favour of?

For surrender of indian passport
bank draft of $249.40 in favour of BLS international Services Canada Inc.

For OCI - I am confused...as per the checklist it says this:

Mail In Applications: Postal applications will be accepted at Brampton Centre only.
- Enclose a Demand draft or Money order of Canadian dollars $425 in favor of “Consulate General of India, Toronto”
- Enclose a separate Demand Draft, in favor of ‘BLS International Service Canada Inc.’ to include:
 BLS Processing Fee.
 Add: Return Courier charges


first draft of $425 in favour of The Consulate General of India - Toronto

do i need to do second draft as well in favour of BLS International Services Canada Inc".? if yes then for how much?
 
I am being ask to upload the Employment\work letter in the upload document section of OCI app portal... has anyone faced the similar situation??
 
Anyone know if BLS Toronto is accepting walk in submissions? Thanks!
 
Indian Surrender and OCI:
- Purolator pickup $30.00
- Indian SC drop off $30.00
- OCI drop off $30
- Indian SC fees $257.80
- OCI fees $425.00

Total cost $772.80 !!
 
Anyone know if BLS Toronto is accepting walk in submissions? Thanks!

I submitted my surrender application on Sep 28 and OCI application on Oct 13 - both times as a walk-in applicant. If you reach early in the morning at BLS Toronto office (I got there around 8:15am) - you should be done fairly quickly...provided there's a short lineup. Alternately, you can book an appointment.
 
Indian Surrender and OCI:
- Purolator pickup $30.00
- Indian SC drop off $30.00
- OCI drop off $30
- Indian SC fees $257.80
- OCI fees $425.00

Total cost $772.80 !!
Mail makes sense...expensive but safe considering the current virus situation!!!! Its scary
 
I submitted my surrender application on Sep 28 and OCI application on Oct 13 - both times as a walk-in applicant. If you reach early in the morning at BLS Toronto office (I got there around 8:15am) - you should be done fairly quickly...provided there's a short lineup. Alternately, you can book an appointment.
They told me I had to have an appointment. BLS is full of sh*t and lied to me. Even for pick up. They want you to pay for courier. I'm so done with Indian paperwork.
 
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They told me I had to have an appointment. BLS is full of sh*t and lied to me. Even for pick up. They want you to pay for courier. I'm so done with Indian paperwork.
You have to pay for pick up and 2 drop off if you use mail service.
 
it will take some time. I submitted Sep 18 together and my status changed today afternoon. so you are still looking at another 10-14 days.

it will take some time. I submitted Sep 18 together and my status changed today afternoon. so you are still looking at another 10-14 days.
Hi
Can you share that when you noticed : OCI application processing in CGI: and on that status screen of BLS tracking site which date was showing your application date and file reference was same as was printed at the time of submitting online OCI application start with CANTxxxx Regards