Greatly appreciate if someone can please help me:

1) I applied for an OCI card with BLS International in end of March 2013 that now handles all applications for the Indian Embassy in Toronto, Canada (for those inquiring)

2) After receiving all my original documents back after the verification process and receiving a receipt for payment made for my application.... The staff at BLS told me that the tracking system on the BLS International site does not work and therefore, I must follow the status of my application via the Indian ministry site http://passport.gov.in/oci/OnlineOCIenquiry.jsp

3) After eagerly waiting, I noticed on the Indian ministry site above, that my OCI application was granted, printed and the documents have been received at the CGI Toronto as of May 11, 2013.

There is a message on the same inquiry page that reads: Congratulation! Your OCI card is ready.

You may please visit to the Mission/Office or you may depute an authorized representative on any working day alongwith your passport to receive the OCI card after receipt of documents at the Mission/Office.

**So my question now is***

What is the next step??......I called BLS and nobody is picking up the phone.

Has anyone been through the entire application process with BLS International while attaining their OCI Card

***** I am assuming that the OCI card will be dispatched to the local BLS office and someone from the BLS office will contact me......(please correct me if I am wrong)

I would really appreciate if someone can help me answer this final procedure....the new outsourced visa agency (BLS) only took over from the VFS in March 2013 I believe and I hope by starting this tread, it will help others in similar situations.

Thanks in advance.

Give about a week or two for the OCI to be sent to BLS. The OCI used to be printed in India and dispatched to VFS via CGI. I'd allow that shipping time. Then call BLS since hoping for a call from BLS is probably worse than expecting to win the lottery. But, you never know, they might.

If you live within driving distance to the BLS office, take a pilgrimage and see what they have to say. Usually, it shouldn't take more than a week for the OCI to travel from CGI to BLS.

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Dimple2001

I have done in last week. Once, you see that your OCI has been recieved 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

Thank you Dimple and Agrasaand for the response, highly appreciate your different opinions.

I went to OCI office and according to one of the staff members at BLS, I was told that I must wait for the OCI Card to be sent by CGI Toronto to the BLS office (honestly I am not sure if the staff knew this himself).....someone from BLS will call once they receive the OCI Card and then I will be able to submit my passport for the U Visa on my Canadian Passport through their office...

Agrasaand, I am not sure how they allowed you to submit your passport as it is the complete opposite of what they have instructed me to do (asked me to wait for the OCI card to arrive at their office)....maybe they already had your OCI card at their office thus it makes sense for them to forward your passport to CGI for the U sticker......

Agrasaand, , I am not sure if you have checked; but the online tracking system on the BLS Canada website "does not work" and the office staff of BLS specifically told me "don't bother", it has never worked, there is an error message whenever you put the reference number or any details to find your application. I've tried to enter my application id and/or refernce number on their site many times and it simply does not work....as I was told by the BLS staff. Unless you were referring to the tracking system of the previous company (VFS) that was handling OCI applications in Canada.

I must agree with Dimple that this application procedure with BLS really is a leap of faith provided all your stars are aligned. I really need to get the OCI by the end of this month.

BLS does not mention in any details on what the pre and post procedure is after you have submitted the application. There is only the Indian foreign ministry website where you can track your application; up until the OCI has been granted.....Once the Card reaches CGI, then BLS has no access to what/where your card is....their guess is as good as yours.....maybe I am wrong....to be seen.

I will keep you posted on the developments....So far, the staff have been alright....they are still working out their startup woes and here is alot of rotation within the staff....meaning I see a new member each time I have been there.

Anyways, I really hope BLS comes through with this and call me soon. waiting 5 days already....









Following that, I will be asked to submit my passport.

No, CGI will not send your OCI card to BLS office. I am not sure you are dealing with which BLS office. I did all my dealings with Brampton office. If you go to Brampton office , go to Counter No. 11 & 12. ( these are only 2 counters who deals with OCI).
Yes, you are right when I say status -it is on Ministry of Foreign Affairs web site ( not on BLS website)

TEST

Hi Agrasaand, you were correct all along. I did finally go back to BLS office and they took my passport for stamping the OCI sticker and I mentioned your experience.

So basically to others who are wondering what happens after you track your OCI application on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs web site and finally see that the documents have been received at CGI, Toronto, Ottawa....

You must then go to the BLS office with the printout and submit your Canadian passport for the OCI sticker and OCI Booklet.

Now I am waiting for the return of my passport and new booklet....will keep you posted.

Agrasaand, I want to ask you something....you mentioned in your previous post, the following:

"Again go to BLS( Never Except any Calls from BLS). However, you can check online status it will show, ready for pick up......

So I would like to ask: How can I track my passport pickup status, what reference number do I enter on the BLS site....is that part of their tracking working........the staff never gave me any reference number to track when I submitted my Canadian passport for the U sticker stamping?

Can you please elaborate, thank you very much