Posted on: 05-08-09 12:31:19
I had recently applied for OCI application through VFS Canada- Unit 102, 939 Eglinton Avenue East
I will briefly explain what happens:
The decision:
Like many i was in a confusion to go with PIO or OCI , though the Indian government has done a fairly good job by making a comparison table, the advantage and disadvantage and so forth.
The main difference i found with OCI vs other visa's were that OCI gives you much flexibility in terms of living or operating business in india.
Its bit expensive, for some reason Toronto Consulate accepts bank draft for OCI application in US dollars of $275 , which comes to almost C$325 plus the VFS service charge of $25. But then i thought to get a visiting visa its costs around $60 (US) for 3 months, what if there is a family urgency happening after 3 months, so forth, i will be stuck without a visa ...
So finally made the decision to go for OCI... now the expense adds up:
You need 3 envelopes in canada express post, one to send the application
one to send the original documents back from VFS to me (because you have to send the passport and other originals) this is an optional cost, you can go and pick the documents back from VFS office after 3pm
the third is to send the passport with the OCI attested back to you.
each envelope costs around $25
Application procedure:
You have to go online and provide some basic information and they issue an online reference number to the document and you print that out -that instant, because there is no save option (its not pdf)
basically the printout gives you 2 forms, one is Part A (the online number embedded to the form) Part B which needs to be manually filled in
The consulates website as well as VFS website (which is a copy-paste of consulate content) confuses very often with part A and part B
You will need passport copy of both countries, landing paper of yourself and SPOUSE, and other documents, always read the Checklist which you can download from the website
The funny part is nowhere in the application they ask if you are married or single, but if your married they need the landing paper, otherwise if you are single you should give appropriate documents .
Also very often the website says you need to download Part B of the form separately even though you printed them earlier , and the downloaded form you will see the same form in multiple copies in the same PDF file.
FOLLOW AND ARRANGE THE PAPERS EXACTLY LIKE THE CHECKLIST SAYS
Now my confusion was should I go to VFS office and apply or send it postal. Since my assumption was the process was privatized, i assumed they will be faster and efficient, i decided on going to VFS office in toronto
My Visit to VFS toronto office at Unit 102, 939 Eglinton Avenue East :
Its in a plaza, there is ample parking space available. I went in, its on ground , they have separate token for the OCI application. ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU SAY ITS FOR OCI). Because for other visa's you take another token.
When i went there, only 2 people were assisting the applicants, one for OCI and another one for all other visa kinds.
There is enough sitting space, upto 50 or less.
The process for OCI is slow, expect alot of delay, I have seen people bring all the originals and fill all the applications at the counter and there seem to be no objection. And sometimes they ask the applicant to stand aside and fill while they serve others, and then these people will bump back into the line.
I spend at least 3 + hours watching them serve just 2 people
Sitting patiently that i decided for wait till 1pm since i reached the OCI center at 9am (they open at 8 30am)
Finally when i reached the counter, I did not have the spouse landing paper, since i did not realize i need them. I asked if I can fax it, and they gave a smirk on their face, as I was being crazy. They will not accept the application, so after 4 hours of waiting and 10mins at the counter , i had to leave.
Finally Mailed all the documents.
The Wait:
I am leaving to india on Sept 24th and I really wish I get my application done before. As mentioned in their website you can track the application online. Nothing was being shown, not on VFS website neither on Consulate website. Tried calling VFS many times, because i send them the originals. But every single time the phone is busy.
Finally emailed and they responded to me back in 2 days saying its gone to consulate and gave me a website to track that.
At the consulate website, i entered the online reference number, which i received when I applied online, but nothing was being shown. So called a number 416 900 1160 (seems to be a call center) they answered. and they said the originals were send back to me and it will take 7 days but i fail to understand is why the delay because i send them a pre paid express envelope and it should get back to me the next day. I was about the ask and the call got disconnected. I was disconnected 2 times in a 10 min conversation and each time i get a new rep. and i had to explain again
Remaining Process:
What i have been told is, with the originals I will get a receipt which gives me another reference number, and this is used to track the application. And that the over all process will take 8 to 12 weeks.
My waiting continues till Now
I thought of posting my experience since the future applicants knows what to expect..
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Earning more stars!
Thanks for posting your experience in so much detail.
Best of Luck for faster processing of your application.
Obviously you did not go through the checklist. I find most people are willing to smile and provide any documentation anyhow when it comes to applying for a Canadian PR card. And also not to mention will wait three years for Canadian citizenship.
However, when it comes to applying for a life long visa to India, three hours seems too much.
Basically you are a Canadian citizen and that the Indian constitution allows for a life long visa for previous Indian is surprising. I believe they should stop OCI service.
Man up.
OCIhelper,
I went through this process in June last year (2011). It is not a question of giving any documentation that other processes ask, the question is of bringing some efficiency in the process. The application intake process at VFS for OCI is very slow. I had the same amount of wait time as original poster, even though I went in very early when they open. No one showed up for a long time, then one girl showed up and she took long time to handle each person.
Even if everything is in order, you have to make a minimum of 5 trips to VFS to get done with OCI. And that is where I take objection. With outsourcing, the process should have become simpler. But no, the extra visits are purely due to outsourcing it to VFS as there is back and forth sending of documentation between VFS and Consulate. The Canadian passport is taken and kept twice.
In fact, I got lucky that they accepted my Citizenship Renunciation certificate when I went to pick it up during my second visit, otherwise I would have to come next day morning as they accept applications in morning and return documents in evening.
I recently even went to apply for PIO for my child and this one was at Consulate(VFS does not handle this). They have this useless security system to enter the office, a huge waiting hall. They accept applications only between 9am to 11:30am and even though I was the first person sent to a counter(at 9:15am) after the security guy checked my application, no one opened the blinds at that counter even after I was standing there for 20 mins !!
Same thing with the miscellaneous services counter. Only counter open was for accepting fees and that is useless as only officers from other counters send people there.
I don't think there is anything wrong in expecting some efficiencies in process. But there is no incentive when you are the only game in town to provide a certain service, so you will do whatever you feel like. That seems to be attitude when they built the process for OCI and PIO applications from my experience.
And the funny thing is that they have the weirdest requirement for photo for OCI. A light colored background. I assumed white would be fine. One place of instructions says that and other place does not. I was burnt by this after having taken the photo at Costco and then coming home to read the separate checklist that I happened to pickup at VFS office. That adds in brackets....not white. I had to hunt for a place that would take such a photo, as everyone is setup to only take photos with white background. No logic to this requirement.
Quote:
Originally posted by navin2004
In fact, I got lucky that they accepted my Citizenship Renunciation certificate when I went to pick it up during my second visit, otherwise I would have to come next day morning as they accept
And the funny thing is that they have the weirdest requirement for photo for OCI. A light colored background. I assumed white would be fine. One place of instructions says that and other place does not. I was burnt by this after having taken the photo at Costco and then coming home to read the separate checklist that I happened to pickup at VFS office. That adds in brackets....not white. I had to hunt for a place that would take such a photo, as everyone is setup to only take photos with white background. No logic to this requirement.
want to hear something more funny.. i submitted my application at vfs brampton.. the lady looked at my picture and asked the lady next booth if it was ok.. something to do with the background or something.. but then i had to tell her that i took it at the photo booth they have outside ther just 10 min ago.. i was told she was a new hire..
My OCI timeline from last year if it helps. PIO should be the same , I guess or maybe even faster than OCI.
OCI - Toronto Recent May 9 -2012 application
Date Of Acknowledgment : 09-MAY-2012
Photo/Signature at Mission : Scanned On 10-MAY-2012
Registration Status at Mission : Granted on 9-JUNE-2012
Documents Printing Status : Printed on 11-JUNE-2012
Dispatched From MOIA (OCI ):NEW DELHI -DISPATCHED on 13-JUNE-2012
Documents Received at CGI TORONTO On 28-JUNE-2012
^
Went and collected them on the same day , as I was in that area . everything was OK ..the lifetime U-Visa sticker on my Canadian PP and the OCI booklet
Surprisingly the process was smooth and transparent, and within the timeline. Gotta give credit , where credit is due , India seems to be improving in this regard.
Except for the red tape like making 4 trips to get my OCI , everything else was normal.
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Quote:
Originally posted by adamthorat
My OCI timeline from last year if it helps. PIO should be the same , I guess or maybe even faster than OCI.
These timelines are not the same since BLS took over. A transfer of U-sticker application for a minor submitted on 4-May-2013, was finally received at Toronto on 11-Jul-2013. Add another 2-3 days for stamping.
It took them 5 weeks just to return the originals.
The reason being given by BLS is due to the transition from VFS to BLS, there is a backlog of cases with the Consulate.
Have fun....
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