India Visa Application Center in Canada
(Vancouver Jurisdiction)
7786524855
For Information

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the validity of Indian passport?
    The ordinary passport is issued for 10 years, however, short validity passport can be issued by Passport Issuing Authority. Minors under the age of 15 are issued passport with validity of 5 years. Minors between the ages 15 and 18 can opt for the validity of 5 year or 10 year with applicable fee.
  2. When can an application for reissue be submitted?
    Application for reissue of passport can be submitted from one year before expiry of passport. However, it can be submitted earlier if any change in existing particulars is being requested.
  3. What is the processing time for passport reissue application?
    Processing time depends on the availability of clear police verification report from concerned authority in India.
  4. What can be accepted as proof of status in Canada?
    Self-attested copy of valid Study Permit/Work Permit/PR card and Landing paper (COPR) can be accepted, depending on applicant’s current status in Canada.
  5. What is the alternative if current status in Canada is expired?
    In case the applicant’s legal status (Study/Work permit) in Canada has expired, submission confirmation letter from IRCC is required stating that application for extension or renewal of status is under process. In case PR card is expired, PR card renewal fee receipt is required along with submission confirmation of PR card renewal application.
  6. What can be done if applicant needs his/her passport reissued in emergency?
    In case of emergency, passport can be applied under Tatkaal Service with prior approval from the office of Consulate General of India, Vancouver.
  7. What are the additional documents to be submitted in case passport is expired for more than one year?
    If passport is expired for more than one year prior to the date of submission of application, a self-declaration on plain paper explaining the reason for late renewal must be submitted. If passport is expired for more than three years prior to the date of submission of application, a search letter (Search of citizenship record) from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada and affidavit needs to be submitted.
  8. What are the mode of submission of applications?
    Applications can be submitted by appointment or walking in to your nearest BLS center. Postal applications can be sent to BLS Surrey office using courier service.
  9. What is the process of passport reissue in case passport is lost?
    Detailed police report is required with passport number mentioned in there. Annexure F needs to be filled along with all the other supporting documents.
  1. Who is eligible to apply?
    A foreign national, who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26.01.1950 or was a citizen of India on or at any time after 26.01.1950 or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947 and his/her children and grandchildren, is eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). Minor children of such person are also eligible for OCI. However, if the applicant had ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for OCI.
  2. I don't have Indian passport Can I apply for OCI?
    Yes, you have to provide copy of Nativity Certificate / Domicile certificate issued by competent authority in India as your proof of Indian Origin. This certificate should be further attested by Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.
  3. What is the process of online application?
    The application for OCI must be completed and submitted online. The form can be filled up and submitted online at the below link: https://ociservices.gov.in/ Please ensure to select correct Mission/Jurisdiction while filling out application form.
  4. Can changes be made to application in case some error is there in the details?
    After online submission of application form, no changes can be made manually / hand writing. In case of any error / changes, please fill a fresh new online application form and use that for further submission to BLS.
  5. What are the mandatory documents for OCI?
    Following documents are mandatory for OCI application:
    Proof of Indian origin
    Current valid passport
    Citizenship certificate
    Proof of address
    Proof of marital status
    Proof of Professional details
  6. What is the fee and mode of payment for OCI application?
    Fresh OCI CAD $376 /-
    Miscellaneous OCI (re-issue of OCI) CAD $ 39/-
    OCI in-lieu of Lost / Damaged OCI / PIO to OCI CAD $ 140/-

    Please note that BLS service charges and courier charges need to be added as applicable. For Vancouver jurisdiction, Fee can be paid by cash or debit.
  7. How many photographs are required for OCI and what are the specifications for the same?
    One color photo as per below specification is required to be uploaded online with the OCI application. Photograph uploaded online must be the same as the physical photograph pasted on your OCI application form:
    • Size – 2 inch x 2 inch(51 mm x 51 mm)
    • Background –Background should be plain white colored without borders
    • Clothes – Dark colour
    • Eyes – Open
  8. When can one apply for reissue of OCI?
    An OCI cardholder should get the OCI card re-issued once when a new passport is issued after completing 20 years of age [For example, when new passport is obtained at the age of 25, then OCI Card can be renewed only at that time and not immediately after attending the age of 20 years.]
  9. Do I need to submit original OCI card while submitting OCI Miscellaneous application?
    Yes, Original OCI card needs to be submitted.
  10. What needs to be done in case OCI card is lost?
    OCI Miscellaneous application needs to be submitted in this case with police report mentioning the OCI card number.
  11. Can a foreign spouse apply for OCI on the basis of spouse of Indian origin?
    Foreign spouse can submit application for OCI on the basis of Indian origin spouse only after two years of valid marriage.
  12. What are the documents required in support of OCI application of foreign spouse?
    Along with other documents, following additional documents are required:
    If the marriage is solemnized in India, Marriage certificate issued by Marriage Registrar is required and the same should be attested by Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.
    If the marriage is solemnized in foreign country, it should be apostle/ certified by the concerned Indian Mission/ Post.
    Applicant’s applying for an OCI on Indian origin spouse basis should attach and upload joint declaration of subsisting of marriage. Format of declaration/affidavit is available on https://www.cgivancouver.gov.in/pages/NjI3.
  13. What documents can be accepted as proof of address?
    Please enclose any one of the following document as proof of present address:
    • Driving License
    • Photo ID issued by the BC Government
    • Utility Bills (Electricity/water/Gas/Phone/Internet etc.-must be recent
    • For OCI application of Minor children - Proof of address of both of the parent to be submitted.
  1. How can the application for visa be submitted?
    Visa application needs to be submitted in nearest BLS office of your jurisdiction either by appointment or walk in. Application can be sent by courier to BLS postal hub in Surrey.
  2. What is a Tourist Visa?
    The Tourist visa is issued to people who wish to visit India for tourist purposes i.e. Recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives etc. The visa is non - extendable and non-convertible. No other activity is permissible on Tourist visa.
  3. What is maximum duration a visa can be applied for?
    Some of the visa categories can be applied for up to 5 years of duration, however, granting of visa and its duration is purely the discretion of the Consulate.
  4. Will I get my fee back in case visa is not granted?
    Visa fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Fee, once charged, will not be refunded even in cases where visa is refused or the application is withdrawn.
  5. What is the validity of passport required at the time of applying for visa?
    Passport on which visa is applied must have at least 2 blank pages and must have a validity of more than 190 days. Passengers holding valid visas may be denied entry into India if the validity of their passports is less than 190 days at the time of entry into India.
  6. When does the validity of visa start?
    The validity of visa starts from the date of its issue and not from the date of entry into India.
  7. I have purchased tickets to visit my family in India. How long before my travel date should I apply for visa?
    Visa applicants are advised not to purchase travel tickets before visa is obtained.
  8. What is an Entry Visa?
    Entry Visa is granted to foreigner who are persons of Indian origin or are spouse/children of an Indian citizen or person of Indian origin.
  9. How is Entry Visa different from Tourist Visa?
    Entry visa is for persons of Indian origin whereas any foreigner can apply for Tourist visa. Entry visa is extendable as Entry visa holders intending to stay in India for more than 180 days can register at their nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or District Superintendents of Police.
  10. Can a person of Pakistani origin apply for Indian visa?
    Such applications need to be submitted directly to the Consulate. BLS does not accept visa applications of persons of Pakistani origin.
  11. Can information on submitted visa application be edited/changed?
    Please check all the details before submitting the application online. Once submitted, no changes can be made to the application. In case of errors, please fill out a fresh application.
  12. What are the requirements of Business Visa?
    Along with usual documents, following documents are required for Business Visa:
    • Business invitation letter from Indian Organization/Company
    • Certification of Incorporation of Indian Organization/Company with copy of PAN Card
    • Business letter from Canadian Organization/Company with original signatures
    • Certification of Incorporation of Canadian organization/Company
    • Business Information Sheet
    • Undertaking from the company about expenditure on travel of the visa applicant
  13. What is an Emergency Visa?
    Emergency Visa is not a category of visa. It is an Entry visa granted to Canadian or foreign passport holders of Indian origin for travel to India in an emergency situation to attend to genuine emergencies such as recent death of a close relative of the applicant in India only. Applicant will be required to provide proof of the emergency, which would be subject to verification and visa will be granted solely at the discretion of the Consulate.
  1. What is meant by surrender of Indian passport?
    The Indian Citizenship Act, 1955, does not allow dual citizenship. It is a punishable offence under the Indian Passport Act, 1967, to apply for an Indian passport, continue to hold an Indian passport, get an Indian passport re-issued or travel on an Indian passport after acquiring foreign citizenship.
    Under Indian law, Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who have acquired foreign citizenship are required to surrender their Indian passports to the nearest Indian Mission/Post immediately after acquisition of foreign citizenship.
  2. What are the documents required with surrender application?
    • Duly filled-in application form.
    • Photograph
    • Original Indian passport with one copy.
    • Copy of the Canadian Citizenship certificate.
    • Copy of Canadian passport, if held.
    • Canada address proof – copy of DL / utility bill / rent agreement/BC ID (any one)
    • Applicable Fees
  3. Do I need to fill surrender application online?
    Indian citizens acquiring any foreign citizenship on or after 1 June, 2010 must formally renounce their Indian citizenship. This can be done by surrendering their Indian passports for cancellation and obtaining a "Surrender Certificate" endorsement on the cancelled passport. The Indian passport would be cancelled and returned to the passport holder along with the Surrender certificate for future reference.
  4. What is the usual processing time for surrender application?
    Where the applications are complete in all respects, the process time would be 2 weeks (10 working days) from the date of receipt of such applications in the Consulate.
  5. What is renunciation of Indian citizenship?
    Indian citizens acquiring any foreign citizenship on or after 1 June, 2010 must formally renounce their Indian citizenship. This can be done by surrendering their Indian passports for cancellation and obtaining a "Surrender Certificate" endorsement on the cancelled passport. The Indian passport would be cancelled and returned to the passport holder along with the Surrender certificate for future reference.
  6. Can I get Renunciation/Surrender Certificate for the expired passport?
    Yes, expired passports too can be presented for surrender. Renunciation/Surrender Certificate will not be issued for Impounded, Revoked, Suspended, and Cancelled (against Re-issue) passports.
  1. What is the validity of PCC once issued?

    There is no validity mentioned on PCC and it depends upon the requirement of office / authority where you are required to submit the PCC.

  2. What is the processing time of PCC?
    PCC can be issued only after receipt of a ‘Clear’ Police Verification Report from Police authorities in India. Thus, there is no fixed timeline for issue of PCC.
  3. What is the alternative if current status in Canada expired?
    In case of applicant’s legal status (PR/ Work permit/ Study permit) in Canada expired, copy of extension proof is required stating that application is under renewal process.
  4. What documents are required if personal status changed?
    In case of change in personal status from current passport (married/separated/ divorced) supporting documents are required like registered marriage certificate/divorce certificate, court orders in case of separation, etc.
  5. Can the PCC be issued in Emergency at the Consulate General of India, Vancouver?
    There is no provision for issue of emergency PCC by the Consulate.
  6. Can applicant apply for PCC if current passport is expired?
    No, PCC is issued only on valid passport.
  7. Do I need to provide a proof of Indian address in case Indian address on application is different from the address on passport? What proof of address should I provide?
    Yes. Applicant should provide his/her own/parents’/spouse’s address which has been mentioned in the application for police verification purposes.
  8. How foreign nationals including Canadians of Indian origin, who have stayed in India for education, training, family reason, etc. can apply for PCC for their period of stay (more than 6 months) in India?
    Foreigners who have stayed in India in the past for education, training, family reason, etc. and need Police clearance for the period of their stay in India, such applicants are required to obtain PCC through BLS. Along with usual documents, they must submit relevant documents, degree, mark sheet, school leaving certificate, job letter, institution admission record, passport copy, entry/exit copy etc. and residence proof.
  1. What is GEP?

    Global Entry is a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.

  2. What is the application process for GEP?
    For those applicant presently living in Canada, after completion of US Custom and Border Protection website process, he/she needs to submit the requisite information in the website of Global Passport Seva Project (https://embassy.passportindia.gov.in/) for completion of background check in India. After completion of online submission, he/she should submit the application with BLS along with the requisite fee.
  3. What are the supporting documents for GEP application?
    Duly signed hard copy of online GEP application. Photo to be affixed at appropriate place in the application form.
    Self-attested copy of Indian Passport (First and last page).
    Self-attested proof of address in Canada (Canadian driving license, Gas, Electricity, House lease agreement or landline telephone bill) displaying applicant's address.
    Self-attested copy of legal status in Canada (PR card /work permit / visitor record etc).
  4. Do I need to submit my original passport with GEP application?
    No, only self-attested copies of all relevant pages of passport need to be submitted.

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