PIO to OCI Conversion
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Posted on: 09-09-15 16:09:53
Quote:
Originally posted by photohobbyst1
Well explained adamthorat
Seeing how this promise of something from a leader has translated into confusing process leaves me with no confidence at all in other grand things like Digital India and Make in India. I am not saying I don't like what Modi has done, he is lot better than others.
But come on, how hard could this process would have been to implement and for him to monitor. His peeps who manage his facebook account just have to google on "PIO to OCI conversion" and just read the first few links such as this.
http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2015/04/15/change-from-pio-to-oci-what-to-know/
Maybe he needs to have a Mann Ki Baat episode on this
I emailed CGI Toronto with specific query regarding this and the confusing and conflicting info, even giving link to their own site, yet I get a reply without thought with that same link being given back to me. I hand it to them for quickly replying, but not with anything usefull.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
You may please visit in this regard Indian Consulate website link (http://www.cgitoronto.ca/content/pio-0 ) and MHA link : http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/oci-brochure.pdf
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I advised a girl who was about to apply for OCI to just apply for PIO instead as its faster and less steps, and after I saw Fekuji's speech in Madison Garden regarding PIO and OCI is one now
I thought it will be a smooth, simple transaction/transition, afterall how hard could it be ? Boy, Was I wrong ?
I am so glad now, that she didn't listen to me and still applied for OCI instead
, otherwise today she would be blaming me for this whole PIO to OCI nobsense
Fekuji 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Fido.
Recently, I applied to convert my daughter's PIO card to an OCI card.
For the benefit of all PIO cardholders who are considering getting the OCI card, there is now a new simplified procedure in place for conversion of PIO to OCI.
Instead of submitting hundreds of documents, now you only have to submit the application online, print it and bring it to the BLS centre along with copy of passport and PIO card. There is no need to submit any other documents.
This procedure is stated on CGI Toronto's PIO webpage here http://cgitoronto.ca/content/pio-0
If you call BLS call centre, they know nothing about this new procedure. However, the staff at BLS centre are aware of this new procedure and will accept your OCI in lieu of PIO application with copy of passport and PIO card.
With this new simplified process and gratis conversion, it is probably a good idea to get their PIO cards converted to OCI cards.
Kulb,
I have filled the form up and taken photocopies of passport and PIO card. Did they accept a photo of the child with white background as it common here or did they hassle you to take a picture at their kiosk there.
And do they take the PIO card away or do you give that back when you go to pickup the OCI booklet (assuming you already got it, if you did not, then you probably don't know).
And do you have to pay any service or postage fee to get the OCI booklet, in case they don't let you come there and pick it up.
Quote:
Originally posted by kulb
Recently, I applied to convert my daughter's PIO card to an OCI card.
For the benefit of all PIO cardholders who are considering getting the OCI card, there is now a new simplified procedure in place for conversion of PIO to OCI.
Instead of submitting hundreds of documents, now you only have to submit the application online, print it and bring it to the BLS centre along with copy of passport and PIO card. There is no need to submit any other documents.
This procedure is stated on CGI Toronto's PIO webpage here http://cgitoronto.ca/content/pio-0
If you call BLS call centre, they know nothing about this new procedure. However, the staff at BLS centre are aware of this new procedure and will accept your OCI in lieu of PIO application with copy of passport and PIO card.
With this new simplified process and gratis conversion, it is probably a good idea to get their PIO cards converted to OCI cards.
They always have an option for pick up of the OCI card. I think its after 2.30 pm or 3.30 pm or something like that. Only people who live far off, generally go for the FedEx option.
People, who live closeby don't like to take a chance with BLS losing their documents in mail ! They don't trust them, so prefer physical pickup
Yes you will HAVE to pay a fee, if you want them to post it instead , there are NO free rides here, they will even charge you 50 cents for 1 photocopy, if its 10 cents everywhere else.
Quote:
Originally posted by photohobbyst1
Kulb,
I have filled the form up and taken photocopies of passport and PIO card. Did they accept a photo of the child with white background as it common here or did they hassle you to take a picture at their kiosk there.
And do they take the PIO card away or do you give that back when you go to pickup the OCI booklet (assuming you already got it, if you did not, then you probably don't know).
And do you have to pay any service or postage fee to get the OCI booklet, in case they don't let you come there and pick it up.
Quote:
Originally posted by kulb
Recently, I applied to convert my daughter's PIO card to an OCI card.
For the benefit of all PIO cardholders who are considering getting the OCI card, there is now a new simplified procedure in place for conversion of PIO to OCI.
Instead of submitting hundreds of documents, now you only have to submit the application online, print it and bring it to the BLS centre along with copy of passport and PIO card. There is no need to submit any other documents.
This procedure is stated on CGI Toronto's PIO webpage here http://cgitoronto.ca/content/pio-0
If you call BLS call centre, they know nothing about this new procedure. However, the staff at BLS centre are aware of this new procedure and will accept your OCI in lieu of PIO application with copy of passport and PIO card.
With this new simplified process and gratis conversion, it is probably a good idea to get their PIO cards converted to OCI cards.
Quote:
Originally posted by photohobbyst1
Kulb,
I have filled the form up and taken photocopies of passport and PIO card. Did they accept a photo of the child with white background as it common here or did they hassle you to take a picture at their kiosk there.
And do they take the PIO card away or do you give that back when you go to pickup the OCI booklet (assuming you already got it, if you did not, then you probably don't know).
And do you have to pay any service or postage fee to get the OCI booklet, in case they don't let you come there and pick it up.
As the photo instructions are not clear, I had prepared photos with 3 different background colors - off white, gray, and blue. On the application form, I pasted one with the off white background. They accepted it without any issues.
Take a print out of CGI's PIO webpage. In my case, the agent there was not aware of the new process and began by asking me for all documents like parents passports, landing papers, etc. I showed him the print out of CGI website. Then he got up to ask another staff member and she told him that the process has changed and that they only need printed application with copy of passport and PIO card.
You will have to pay BLS service charge + ICWF fee = $9.70 cash. There is no other consular fee. One thing is that they will try to get you to sign up for the optional courier service. Don't agree to that unless you want the OCI card couriered to you.
My daughter's application is still in process, so I don't know if they will eventually keep the PIO card, or if they will cancel and return it along with the OCI card. I would be interested to find out about this as well.
Quote:
As the photo instructions are not clear, I had prepared photos with 3 different background colors - off white, gray, and blue. On the application form, I pasted one with the off white background. They accepted it without any issues.
See this is exactly what I am talking about. How hard is it to put the right specification on their website or in the application form ? They don't care about you & don't care you have to waste your time, energy & money , taking 3 photos. They know you have NO choice & will do anything & will run from pillar to post & are helpless, when they deny your photo due to THEIR mistake, not YOURS
Quote:
Take a print out of CGI's PIO webpage. In my case, the agent there was not aware of the new process and began by asking me for all documents like parents passports, landing papers, etc. I showed him the print out of CGI website. Then he got up to ask another staff member and she told him that the process has changed and that they only need printed application with copy of passport and PIO card.
Again the staff has no clue. you have to update them and correct their misinformation & ignorance
Quote:
One thing is that they will try to get you to sign up for the optional courier service. Don't agree to that unless you want the OCI card couriered to you.
Yup, its less work for them to just courier it to you, plus they can make some money on it, so they want you to choose that option. But if its lost in mail, they don't care , its your problem or the courier comapnies problem & NOT theirs
If you have the time, insist on a pickup. Tell them you live closeby or work closeby, so will pick it up instead. Also check everything in front of them, to make sure there are NO spelling mistakes, Typos etc
Someone else can also pick it up on your behalf, with proper authority letter & ID. They have the letter on their website
. so you need not take a day off or something.
