OCI process

[vishalv]

I have emailed and sent a DM on twitter to CGI Toronto to clarify this. Travel during Covid is already stressful and I do not want to take this risk. Let's see what they respond.

Have you received a response ?

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Have you received a response ?

Nope. No response yet.

 

[lifein360]

Submitted OCI and Surrender at BLS Brampton. Reached at 6:30 AM with 4 people ahead of me. When it opened at 8 AM there were atleast 40 people behind me in a snaking queue. Once I got in, I was out in 10-15 mins. BLS didn't ask to see any originals except my Indian and Canadian passport. Obviously they kept the Indian passport. Opted for courier delivery. Now we wait

I would advise anyone going to BLS to reach by 6:30. Its a bit of wait till 8 but once in you're out very fast. As someone said above, the queue reminded me of the Costco queues from early in the pandemic. Also carry your proof of double vaccination. They aren't allowing anyone inside without it

@rajkamalmohanram Hi Raj, how and where do I go to track both surrender and OCI applications? Is that something you can help with?

Received Surrender Certificate+cancelled passport today. Less than 10 calendar days. India clearly wanted me out asap

Hoping I get OCI as well by 1st/2nd week Nov

 

[vishalv]

Received Surrender Certificate+cancelled passport today. Less than 10 calendar days. India clearly wanted me out asap

Hoping I get OCI as well by 1st/2nd week Nov

Congrats mate.

 

[lifein360]

Congrats mate.

I remember you also applied to BLS brampton around Oct 5/6 yes? Did you get your surrender?

 

[vishalv]

I remember you also applied to BLS brampton around Oct 5/6 yes? Did you get your surrender?

I had applied only for OCI on Oct 5th.

The passport surrender application was submitted a month back. It took me almost a month to receive my cancelled pp & surrender certificate.

 

[lifein360]

I had applied only for OCI on Oct 5th.

The passport surrender application was submitted a month back. It took me almost a month to receive my cancelled pp & surrender certificate.

Is your application showing on the ociservices site yet? Showing 'no record found for me' when I checked today

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Is your application showing on the ociservices site yet? Showing 'no record found for me' when I checked today

It'll show up about 2 weeks after you submit the application.

 

[hims0912]

Hi All, need one advice please, I am about to submit my Indian passport surrender + OCI application (would do the Purolator pick up and drop off). I have all the documents ready until I checked the marriage certificate requirement. My wife is born Canadian (only I am applying, she is not applying at this time) and we had our wedding in Ontario here so I do have marriage certificate from Office of the Registrar General. Can someone please advise if the authentication by ministry of service and then attention by CGI really required ? I read some old posts from this forum and people did mention that registrar marriage certificate along is enough so can I just upload that ?

 

[mvrsingh416]

yes you may Apply Entry visa while your OCI is in process.

Thanks. I went to BLS Brampton today, and applied for an entry visa (without surrender certificate in hand).

I attached a photocopy of the Indian passport that was surrendered. BLS center returned my surrender receipt copy and a letter explaining why I did not attach surrender certificate.

The agent informed me that it should take around 5-6 days with my visa stamped on Canadian passport.

 

[ajit90]

Hi Ajit, I am in the same situation. Please let me know if find anything from BLS. I will also try to check if the surrender passport receipt can be used as a surrender certificate in entry visa checklist.

Checked with BLS in person while I was surrendering my passport. They mentioned it is allowed.

 

[keypad]

Thanks. I went to BLS Brampton today, and applied for an entry visa (without surrender certificate in hand).

I attached a photocopy of the Indian passport that was surrendered. BLS center returned my surrender receipt copy and a letter explaining why I did not attach surrender certificate.

The agent informed me that it should take around 5-6 days with my visa stamped on Canadian passport.

Are they issuing entry visas with multiple entries option or it is just for a single entry? Also, did you apply for 5-10 years?
I was thinking to apply for 10 years multiple entry tourist visa instead of the OCI. But, unfortunately, they aren't taking the applications for the tourist visas.

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Have you received a response ?

I just received a response from CGI Toronto about the partially missing characters on the MRZ in the OCI booklet. They said I can travel with this OCI booklet.

I have it in written now, gives me some peace of mind. If I am questioned at the border, I will just show them this email.

 

[maddy_m]

Hi All, need one advice please, I am about to submit my Indian passport surrender + OCI application (would do the Purolator pick up and drop off). I have all the documents ready until I checked the marriage certificate requirement. My wife is born Canadian (only I am applying, she is not applying at this time) and we had our wedding in Ontario here so I do have marriage certificate from Office of the Registrar General. Can someone please advise if the authentication by ministry of service and then attention by CGI really required ? I read some old posts from this forum and people did mention that registrar marriage certificate along is enough so can I just upload that ?

Based on the recent discussion on the forum, it seems you have to get the marriage certificate authenticated from ODS and CGI.

 

[vishalv]

Is your application showing on the ociservices site yet? Showing 'no record found for me' when I checked today

Still showing no record found. Might probably have an update next week.