Greetings to all:
Wanted to apply for OCI next week at CGI. Those of you who have obtained OCI already, I would appreciate if you could shed some light on the following questions (I already went over the informative past posts, however recent experiences after Feb 28 is what I am looking for):
1) Due to this 45 applications a day rule, if we show up at 7:30 am, will that suffice or do I need to go even earlier?
I don't want to trust these guys with the original documents. (TK in his post mentioned that even people who went there at 7:30 am had to leave the originals in a Purolator envelope)
2) Originals (Passport, Landing Paper et al): Do they keep it with them, or do they just check them and return to the applicant?
3) How long is the OCI taking as of late?
I tried calling OCI but these folks don't even pick up the phone.
Sher Khan
Quote:
Originally posted by sherkhan
I tried calling OCI but these folks don't even pick up the phone.
Sher Khan
You can email them. I normally get a response in 2-3 days.
Greetings Sherkhan
1) I reached the office around 15 min after they opened but had to wait for about 1.5 hrs
2) They crosschecked the originals and didnt retain them..(pl. make sure you carry the citizenship card as well as the certificate as well as the copies)
Thanks
b
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Many thanks.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. I had one more question.
Regarding the Bank Draft in the amount of $275, can I just buy an International Money Order for $275 instead? (It is cheaper 
)
Form B says that MOs are also acceptable, but just wanted a confirmation if any of you actually submitted MO, and if CGI accepted them readily.
Thanks
Quote:
Originally posted by sherkhan
I don't want to trust these guys with the original documents. (TK in his post mentioned that even people who went there at 7:30 am had to leave the originals in a Purolator envelope)
Sher Khan
In my case they simply checked the originals and gave it back. I did not even have to give them a return envelop because I collected the OCI in person once the status was updated on their web-site.
However, I remember my son had to come back once because of some document missing (I think citizenship card)
Chandresh
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Chandresh
Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!
Location: God's own country
Posted on: 15-04-08 09:52:51
Quote:
Originally posted by sherkhan
Greetings to all:
1) Due to this 45 applications a day rule, if we show up at 7:30 am, will that suffice or do I need to go even earlier?
2) Originals (Passport, Landing Paper et al): Do they keep it with them, or do they just check them and return to the applicant?
3) How long is the OCI taking as of late?
I tried calling OCI but these folks don't even pick up the phone.
Sher Khan
SherKhan,
Since the OCI fee was reduced to $275 US, I belive the crowd has increased. In the day I went the first person came at 4:35 am and the person who came at 7:00 am could not be among the first 45. Also some one told me that the first 45 is the number of person's and not 45 family applications. So in case a family has 4 members, there are counted as 4 out of 45 (This is what some one told me at the counsulate). People who come from outside the GTA are highly inconvenienced by this.
If you are one after the first 45 people, They will not retun the original to you on spot and you have to give it to them (putting them in a self addressed Purolator envelope ($10.50) and it is equal to that being sent by post. The counsul does not even fully check the documents. He only checks the if the name in the Indian passport, application and the cdn. passport is the same. He told me (In Hindi and not in English) that I would get all my documents in 12 days if all the documents and the application is Ok.
I paid by bank draft and so canot help you in the MO assurance.
The website says that it takes 3 months for OCI and 1 month for PIO card. Individual experiences may vary.
Hope this helps.
TK A
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