I have a question regarding applying for the PIO, via BLS in Toronto.
What are the requirements exactly?
Their phone is always enagaged and I have no idea how to ask them specific questions..
I just got back my Indian passport after surrendering the citizenship and I have an appointment tomorrow again for the PIO.
Can someone tell me what is PIO Endorsment, do I need to submit that as well?
From what I understood,
I need to submit my
Original Citizenship certificate,
Original Canadian passport,
Indian Surrender certificate and Original Indian "cancelled" Indian passport
Original Landing paper along with a copy.
4 Photographs 35x35.
Now, I do not have my original Birth certificate, I only have a coloured copy of my Original Indian birth certificate.
That was the one I provided during my Canadian PR process as well.
Can somoene tell me if it would be okay to submit a copy of my birth certificate?
I would appreciate your support.
PS: I hope they don't lose all my original documents, I dont know why they are asking for original documents
My OCI timeline below -
you need 4 physical trips to get it from start to finish ! Indian red tape and bureaucracy at its best 
.
glad the ordeal is finally over
--------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------
I went physically and did not apply by post , hence 4 physical trips as below.
1. First trip , apply with all original docs and application .
They keep the originals , which they send to the embassy for verification.
They give you the Canadian PP back immediately On the spot after verification, but all other originals like landing paper , indian PP etc etc are sent to the embassy.
2. Second trip , to go and collect all the originals , which come back from the embassy after verification, like landing paper, Indian PP etc etc.
3. Third trip, once OCI is approved ..you have to go and submit the Canadian PP again , so that they can stamp the U visa on it.
They don't stick the U visa on it immediately , which is ridiculous. They make you come back again to pick up your Canadian PP with the visa on it and the OCI booklet.
4. Fourth & Final Trip and the ordeal is finally over !!!
You go in to pick up your Canadian PP with the OCI U visa on it and the OCi booklet !
---------
Hope this helps , anyone who is applying physically. Yes 4 physical trips need to be made !
Plus the pickup and drop off points are at different times !
If you go in the morning , you can only apply !
If you go in the evening , you can only pick up !
So make sure you go at the right time , depending upon if you are dropping off or picking up .
Quote:
Originally posted by adamthorat
My OCI timeline below -
you need 4 physical trips to get it from start to finish ! Indian red tape and bureaucracy at its best
glad the ordeal is finally over
--------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------
I went physically and did not apply by post , hence 4 physical trips as below.
1. First trip , apply with all original docs and application .
They keep the originals , which they send to the embassy for verification.
They give you the Canadian PP back immediately On the spot after verification, but all other originals like landing paper , indian PP etc etc are sent to the embassy.
2. Second trip , to go and collect all the originals , which come back from the embassy after verification, like landing paper, Indian PP etc etc.
3. Third trip, once OCI is approved ..you have to go and submit the Canadian PP again , so that they can stamp the U visa on it.
They don't stick the U visa on it immediately , which is ridiculous. They make you come back again to pick up your Canadian PP with the visa on it and the OCI booklet.
4. Fourth & Final Trip and the ordeal is finally over !!!
You go in to pick up your Canadian PP with the OCI U visa on it and the OCi booklet !
---------
Hope this helps , anyone who is applying physically. Yes 4 physical trips need to be made !
Plus the pickup and drop off points are at different times !
If you go in the morning , you can only apply !
If you go in the evening , you can only pick up !
So make sure you go at the right time , depending upon if you are dropping off or picking up .
Thank you very much for the response. However, I went ahead and applied for PIO because I thought OCI might delay too much to get it in case if I get my vacation days approved at work.
Anyways, now that I learned you don't have to spend a huge amount again to get the OCI upgrade, I am relieved. But looks like my vacation days are not going to be approved for another few months due to the deadlines.
Do you think it is a bit faster if I applied OCI in India, once I get my PIO card?
My PIO card is under process I submitted it yesterday, the guy at the counter suggested me why do you apply PIO, apply OCI instead. I thought I can simply do it right then and there, but he said nahh..You need a different sized photograph. Ugh!! Why can't they all have the same size.
Now I am thinking of applying for OCI once I get the PIO card. Does your PIO card become invalid if your OCI application is under progress?
Can you still travel with your PIO after submitting your application? And come back after the vacation and get the OCI attached in the Canadian PP?
OCI will take 2 months to process and ideally you should do it only coming back from your trip. PIO card holders have to submit their PIO card when applying for OCI, but you should clarify with BLS when does PIO card needs to be submitted (at the time of stamping or at the time of initial application).
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