Hi friends,
Just wanted to share my unpleasant experience @ the consulate during my so called interview process of OCI .
Time alloted to me for interview was 9.30 Am-10 Am , I reached there @ 9.32 am.
1) No clear signs posted directing to the interview place
2)All persons assembled in a hall very big , although there are >5 windows made only 1 window operating as per the token nos ,
3)No proper person seated in place for any questions whatsoever.
4) I managed to get my name noted with my scheduled time , they said it shall not start before 10 AM .
5)Officer who called me for interview only informed me of the new photo requirement (The only item on list they can dispute with us as all the paper work for us immigrants is in order)
Tone of the officer extremely rude, typical Government officer attitude we are used to seeing it in India.
The new photographs which I had got it done especially from place typically serving OCI pictures was not good according to this officer, he did accept it saying it may still be rejected.
Even the officer is non committal as to when can I expect my original canadian documents back.
For whatever time I was at the consulate it was extremely frustrating seeing people literally lost without any proper info or guidance on their issues they are here to get it addressed

I hate to write anything bad of our country, however the " babu" attitude of the officer just boiled me to the limits.

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mor

Whenever you experience joy, peace, security, equanimity or purity, it is only because you are aligned with ALMIGHTY.

The new Visa centres in Toronto/Brampton are a mess too...however, in my view, not entirely the fault of the staff there....folks keep trying to break the the number based line....seems the 'desi' mentality is on both sides of the counter.

Some people were really rude when I was there recently....wonder if they would have tried that stuff at the US Consulate?

The system as a whole is not clear to me....why are so many days required for processing, and why do originals have to be kept? Can the staff not see them and sign off on that basis? that would reduce so much of the hassle....

Hi Ranirani
You may be right to an extent, as the fault lies on both sides of the counter, however, we always try and put the blame on our people and compare it with US.
Individuals here in the government dept do not have the same approach we see it with their Indian counterparts, I 've always found helpful officials in almost all the places we come across to deak with in our day to day life.

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mor

Whenever you experience joy, peace, security, equanimity or purity, it is only because you are aligned with ALMIGHTY.

I have also had very bad experience with the CGI, Toronto. It seems they have made their own rules and are not following the MEA rules.

Firstly to phone and talk to someone there is impossible. Secondly they do not reply to e-mail queries. Very disappointing.

Recently my son applied for his New passport. As we all know that now a days normally a passport is issued with a validity of 10 years. My son was issued his new passport with only 1 year validity, handwritten entries with messy handwriting, etc.

I have written an e-mail to the Consul himself about this with a copy to MEA officials. So far no reply and probably never will be.

I am thinking to write to the CVC about their affairs.

Why 1 year passport? Is there a separate rule for children? As far as I am aware, all India passports are valid for 10 years. Did they charge you same fee or less?

In the past, I tried calling VFS or CGI, either the phone is busy or when it rings no one answers, and they do not repsond to emails. I do not understand why they treat people so shabbily. Why don't they just see the original documents and return them to applicant same day. They are unnecessarily complicating things. Also read in another post that they are getting very fussy about the photos like they want people to go to one particular studio ....not sure how true this is.

I had also applied for a new passport and was issued one with 1 yr validity . A fellow CD related similar experience and had a feedback from CGI that in case the previous passport has been issued out of India and they do not get a feedback from the Issuing Embassy with in one month , they issue a passport with 1 yr validity ....... which can be extended with in 2-3 months or as soon as the CGI has received information ......

I am still to verify this though .........

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Fido.