OCI process

[royce110]

• • Avoided Charge 2 (Interesting - MUST READ): I had extra photos they clicked during my Surrender Certificate Application. This time, looking at the photo, agent told me that my shirt's color is light (It was Dark Blue and was clicked by BLS 3 days back!) and asked me to get the new photo even with wearing winter parka coz it was black! I think they didn't know that they had clicked my photos couple of days back for Surrender Certificate and were just trying to charge for photos. Heights!

• Future OCI application (Walk-In: Brampton): Hope to avoid this stupid "Helicopter Delivery" courier charge by BLS (I wouldn't even say Purolator) and other unknown surprise charges and their new tactics

It's not only about money but also about being truthful. That too with people from the same country of origin (It should not matter, though.)!

What kind of Circus are they running there at BLS??? They should be banned already

 

[deepax]

What kind of Circus are they running there at BLS??? They should be banned already

It is an extortion business really.

And the frustrating part is people in this thread will actually dare to defend/justify their actions.

 

[DigitalDestiny]

Do they not allow you to pick up your certificate and cancelled passport in person?

BLS Brampton allows that. Collection timings are : 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

 

[sach1234]

Hey just want to give you a heads up - just looked at my application tracking on BLS and it says it's on the way from the Consulate to BLS. Did your status change?

no nothing has changed so far. You did at BLS Toronto, so prob went to the high commission in Toronto right ?

 

[sach1234]

They let her get her passport back? I read on BLS that you need to do an application to withdraw your visa application to get your passport back. Need to book an appointment etc, and then wait 24-48 hours for BLS to process.

Yeah that's what we thought, however we called BLS and was advised we can't file an application through them since the Passport is with High Commission. So she decided to go there directly and got her passport without the tourist Visa.

 

[aaroniclee]

no nothing has changed so far. You did at BLS Toronto, so prob went to the high commission in Toronto right ?

Yeah mine was through the Toronto BLS Centre so I'm assuming Consulate General of Toronto too. Still says in transit but I'll keep you posted on the status change and timing (for your reference). Good luck man - this whole process has been so stressful.

 

[jeff299]

I get the following message on BLS Website (although I submitted a postal application):
"Passport ready For Collection after OCI stamping"
Do I need to go to BLS Toronto to get my OCI card?

 

[sach1234]

Yeah mine was through the Toronto BLS Centre so I'm assuming Consulate General of Toronto too. Still says in transit but I'll keep you posted on the status change and timing (for your reference). Good luck man - this whole process has been so stressful.

thanks man, appreciate it. This has been so so stressful, have already rescheduled twice and might have to do it again with the way things are going.

 

[gantisunil86]

I get the following message on BLS Website (although I submitted a postal application):
"Passport ready For Collection after OCI stamping"
Do I need to go to BLS Toronto to get my OCI card?

Just call them once. Also can you please share your timeline. Thanks!

 

[BNS007]

Do they not allow you to pick up your certificate and cancelled passport in person?

I think they do, if you requested pick-up at the time of applying.

If you already paid for courier, then I am not sure. Other challenge in that case is your timing to approach them / go in person and ask for collection after the status is updated on their tracking tool. For my tourist visa, status was directly updated from "Processing at Consulate" to "Ready to Dispatch" and to "Dispatched" in couple of hours. So I didn't have enough time to go and pick-up before it was already dispatched. Coz even for pick-up, they have specific timings (daily late afternoon I think).

After opting for courier, if you can ask them to change it to pick-up while your application is still in process, I don't know. Haven't tried.

 

[BNS007]

Do they not allow you to pick up your certificate and cancelled passport in person?

I assume you are thinking that BLS has not dispatched yet so why can't I go and pick-up in person.

But I meant High Commission has not dispatched it yet to BLS so till then I need to wait anyhow. Then it's a question of picking up vs courier dispatch from BLS.

 

[masterofpupp]

Did you talk to anyone ? I have been waiting for over 3 weeks now, mine is at high commission in Ottawa.

I couldn't get in touch with anyone from the embassy. But I received my visa yesterday.

 

[sach1234]

I couldn't get in touch with anyone from the embassy. But I received my visa yesterday.

okay, thanks for replying. What was your timeline ?

 

[SHVM]

Surrender Certificate (Walk-In - Brampton): 21-Jan
Status on Passport Seva updated to "granted": 28-Jan
Status on Passport Seva updated to "printed": 24-Feb
Still NOT dispatched!

Through out, BLS tracking status is "Processing at Consulate General"

With an assumption that I will receive surrender certificate in approximately 5 weeks (like most of the folks in January), I had booked OCI appointment for 28-Feb and I cancelled it few days back so someone else can use the slot.

Hope you get it before your OCI appointment.

Thank you

 

[kush9232]

Hi Folks, could you please share your timeline for the Entry visa?