Posted on: 05-09-15 23:10:45
Hi folks,
I know that OCI at BLS Brampton centre is a four stage process:
Part 1 - Submission of application & documents
Part 2 - Collection of originals after verification
Part 3 - Submission of passport to BLS by applicant for stamping
Part 4 - Return of OCI card and passport to applicant
I have been through Part 1 & 2 of the process. Now I have to wait for OCI card to arrive from Delhi.
When I went to collect the originals, I asked the BLS centre staff about next steps, specifically Part 3. They told me that when OCI is ready, I have to come in person to submit passport for OCI stamping. This is fine, however, the only problem is that they told me that they will not issue any fresh receipt at that point stating that they have kept my passport for forwarding to the consulate.
For document security reasons, isn't BLS centre supposed to provide some sort of confirmation in writing that they have your passport in their possession? How does one track after submitting their passport when it is available for pickup again after OCI stamping?
Can other folks here who have been through the process advise how part 3 & 4 worked out for them.
Thanks.
1.They do not issue a new receipt. But what they generally do is just rubber stamp your existing receipt when you go to submit your Canadian PP i.e STEP 3. They will rubber stamp it " Canadian PP submitted " or some nonsense like that.
2. You cannot track when the PP will be ready for pick up after the stamping i.e STEP 4 & FINAL step..Thank God ! ( I think I might be WRONG on this, & apparently you CAN check it ONLINE 
) As everything with Indian Embassy, things vary day to day !
But generally they will give you a timeline. So you take a chance & hope its there . Usually go 3-4 days after the time they say. So if they say 7 days, go after 10 days. it might be there after 7 days too, but you might waste a trip, if its not there 
. 10 days almost 100 % it will be there
They will NOT call you, they will NOT answer any emails/phone calls. They might have a Fed Ex option if you are willing to pay & take a chance with the courier, but physical pick up is generally best for trust & security issues
Also NOTICE : Pick Up & Drop Off times are different. If you go during the wrong time, they will make you wait ! Someone else can also pick up or drop off for you with the necessary authority letter from you & Photo Id's & stuff like that
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From Some Other Poster :
Once, you see that your OCI has been RECEIVED in CGI toronto.
DO FOLLOWING ( NO EXCEPTION /No Deviation)
1- PRINT ONLINE STATUS WHICH SAYS OCI HAS BEEN RECIEVED AT CGI.
2- Bring your Orignal Canadian Passport
3- Bring your Original Recipt from BLS
4- Drive down to BLS Office
5- SUBMIT all These documents to BLS
6- They will send your Passport to CGI for U VISa Stamping & to bring OCI .
7- Wait 7 Days
8- Again go to BLS( Never Except any Calls from BLS). However, you can check online status it will show, ready for pick up
9- Collect your passport with U Visa & OCI
10- Feel youself lucky
Thanks for your reply Adamthorat.
Actually, they kept my receipt when I went to pickup originals (Step 2). I noticed that they were retaining everyone's receipt.
I asked them for my receipt back and they said it is for them to keep. These BLS guys are really weird.
On another note, since the Government has done away with U-visa sticker as per this circular http://indiacgny.org/pdf/MHA_Circular_U.pdf , so why do they need the Canadian passport? Are they still affixing the visa stickers on the passport in spite of the circular?
Hi Kulb
what's the present time line . from step one to 4?
Thanks
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Clinton
Quote:
Originally posted by kulb
Thanks for your reply Adamthorat.
Actually, they kept my receipt when I went to pickup originals (Step 2). I noticed that they were retaining everyone's receipt.
I asked them for my receipt back and they said it is for them to keep. These BLS guys are really weird.
On another note, since the Government has done away with U-visa sticker as per this circular http://indiacgny.org/pdf/MHA_Circular_U.pdf , so why do they need the Canadian passport? Are they still affixing the visa stickers on the passport in spite of the circular?
Apparently they are still doing it, to get rid of the old stock u visa stickers
. Or they just want to compare your passport and the OCI booklet all over again. The Canadian PP number is recorded on the OCI booklet. They probably want to see that they MATCH and there is NO mistake. They already have this info, but in classic Red Tape and Bureaucracy, they want it again
Lot of things BLS, CGI does has NO rhyme, reason or logic. Lot of things are obsolete and outdated and are NOT updated or communicated to either staff. Don't question it, don't bother about it and don't reason with them
, they won't budge and you will waste your time, energy and will be stressed unnecessarily.Do exactly, what they tell you to do, without ANY questions and you won't have any headache. The staff is ignorant, incompetent and has major attitude and will go on their little power trips.
3 parties are involved MEA in India, CGI in Toronto and BLS in Brampton. Left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing or what the leg is doing either
Vague and confusing and contradictory info will be given by all parties involved. The staff wiil say one thing and the website will say something else
. Sometimes BLS, CGI and MEA site in India will have contradictory info When in doubt , do the Maximum. If one site says only 1 document is required, and other site says 2 documents required, TAKE 2 documents with you
Quote:
Originally posted by clinton
Hi Kulb
what's the present time line . from step one to 4?
Thanks
Exactly 2 months
, if there are NO issues with your application , like all documents are in order, no discrepancies, no issues with your photo, things are properly verified, and you are eligible.Sometimes judt the photo doesn't get scanned properly and that causes delays
Once they accept your application i.e Step 1 , generally there are NO issues after that and things go smoothly and in 2 months you get OCI.
Step 1 is the issue where you name it they will ask the originals and copies of whatever they want:
Canadian PP, Indian PP, Surrender Certificate, Landing Paper, Marriage certificate, affidavit if you are single, Cancellation stamp on your Indian PP, Citizenship certificate, Bank draft,Photos etc etc.
Even your Parents and Spouses and kids documents are asked for depending on the case ! Even if it has NOTHING to do with your application
Always anticipate atleast 1-2 extra trips, then what they say
. 4 physical trips are required, LESS if you trust them and are Ok with them couriering your ORIGINAL documents by Fed Ex. You can save 1-2 pick up trips if you want, if they can and you want Fed Ex and mailing of some documents
I know a SINGLE person , who applied for OCI. He had to prove to them, he is Single ! So had to get an affidavit from a lawyer saying he is Single !
Another person applied for his entire family. His application was denied/delayed bcoz he didn't mention (forgot ) in the application his 13 year son is Unmarried ! lol !
So apparently they don't have commonsense and such stupid things need to be told to them
Somewhere I read 2 weeks from the date of submission. the on line status shows 42 days from the date of acknowledgement. Now I need to travel during middle of September and blocked a ticket for $1000 , which is very good fare. Can we apply e visa when renewal of OCI under process.? I will Consulate tomorrow and find out.
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Clinton
