Short answer: An OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card is a lifelong, multiple-entry visa to India for people of Indian origin who hold a foreign passport — including babies born in Canada to Indian-citizen parents. You apply online at ociservices.gov.in, then submit the printed application in person at a BLS International centre. Since 5 April 2026, all OCI applications in Canada must be submitted in person because biometrics are now collected. A fresh OCI card costs CAD $376 plus BLS service charges, and takes roughly 6 to 8 weeks in the Vancouver jurisdiction.
If you are an Indo-Canadian family in Surrey, Delta, Abbotsford or anywhere in Metro Vancouver, the OCI card is usually the first India-related document you deal with after a baby is born — and the process is genuinely confusing the first time. This guide walks through eligibility, the exact document list for a Canada-born child, the fees, where to submit in the Lower Mainland, and the rules that catch parents out later.
What Is an OCI Card, Exactly?
Overseas Citizenship of India is not dual citizenship. India does not permit dual citizenship. An OCI card is a lifelong visa that gives the holder:
- Multiple-entry, lifelong visa to India — no separate visa needed for any trip
- No registration requirement with local police, no matter how long you stay
- Parity with Non-Resident Indians for most financial, economic and educational purposes
- The ability to open certain Indian bank accounts and buy residential and commercial property
What an OCI card does not give you: the right to vote, to hold an Indian passport, to hold constitutional office or most government jobs, or to buy agricultural or plantation land.
For families, the practical point is simple: with an OCI card your child can fly to India any time, for any length of stay, for the rest of their life, without ever applying for a visa again.
Who Is Eligible for an OCI Card?
You can apply if you are a foreign national (including a Canadian citizen) and you:
- Were a citizen of India on or at any time after 26 January 1950; or
- Were eligible to become a citizen of India on 26 January 1950; or
- Belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15 August 1947; or
- Are a child, grandchild or great-grandchild of any of the above; or
- Are a minor child whose both parents are Indian citizens, or one of whose parents is an Indian citizen; or
- Are a minor child of an OCI cardholder; or
- Are the spouse of an Indian citizen or an OCI cardholder, where the marriage has been registered and has subsisted for at least two continuous years
Who is not eligible
Anyone who is, or ever was, a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh is not eligible — and neither is anyone whose parents, grandparents or great-grandparents were citizens of those countries. This exclusion applies regardless of everything else.
Foreign military personnel, serving or retired, also require additional clearance.
Documents Required for a Canada-Born Baby’s First OCI Card
This is the most common OCI application for Metro Vancouver families: a baby born in BC to parents who are Indian citizens or who hold OCI cards themselves. Here is the checklist.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Child’s Canadian passport | Must be valid. You cannot apply for OCI before the passport exists. |
| Registered birth certificate | Must show both parents’ names. A hospital record is not accepted. |
| Both parents’ current passports | Indian passports, or Canadian passports if they have naturalised. |
| Parents’ OCI cards | If either parent holds one. |
| Parents’ surrender / renunciation certificates | Required if a parent held an Indian passport and later became a Canadian citizen. |
| Signed consent form from both parents | Standard form for minor applicants. |
| Proof of address in Canada | BC driver’s licence, BC Services Card, provincial photo ID, or a utility bill. |
| Photograph | 2″ × 2″, white or light background, full face, uploaded and printed to spec. |
| Thumb impression | Left thumb for boys, right thumb for girls. |
| Parents’ declaration forms | Includes the voter-card and ration-card declarations required by the Consulate. |
The order matters. You need the BC birth certificate before you can get the Canadian passport, and you need the Canadian passport before you can apply for OCI. Realistically that means: register the birth (day 1–30) → birth certificate arrives (4–6 weeks) → passport (10–20 business days) → OCI (6–8 weeks). Budget four to five months from birth to OCI card in hand. Our newborn paperwork checklist for BC parents covers the first two steps in detail.
The surrender certificate catches people out
If a parent was born in India, held an Indian passport, and later became a Canadian citizen, India requires that they formally renounce Indian citizenship and obtain a Surrender Certificate. Many parents discover this only when their child’s OCI application is rejected. If you do not have one, apply for it before — or alongside — the child’s OCI application.
How to Apply for an OCI Card: Step by Step
Step 1: Complete the online application
Go to the official portal at ociservices.gov.in. This is the only legitimate site — the Indian High Commission warns explicitly that OCI and visa services are a complete online process with no need for agents. Fill in Part A and Part B, then upload:
- Scanned photograph (JPEG, white background, meeting the portal’s size specifications)
- Scanned signature — or, for a child under five, a thumb impression
- The child’s Canadian passport bio page
Note the online registration number the portal gives you. You will need it to track the application.
Step 2: Print and assemble
Print the completed application, sign where indicated (both parents sign for a minor), and assemble the full document set. Self-attest every supporting copy — sign and date each photocopy.
Step 3: Submit in person at BLS International
This is the big 2026 change. From 5 April 2026, OCI applications in Canada must be submitted in person at a BLS International centre because biometrics are now captured as part of the process. Mail-in submission is no longer available for OCI.
Pay the fees at the centre by debit card or exact cash — BLS does not give change, and the fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Step 4: Track and collect
Track your application through the BLS website using your reference number. When approved, the OCI card and your original documents are returned by courier or for pickup at the centre.
OCI Fees in Canada (2026)
These are the consular fees for the Vancouver jurisdiction, payable in Canadian dollars. BLS International adds its own service charge and courier cost on top.
| Service | Consular fee (CAD) | BLS service charge |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh OCI card (including minors) | $376 | $1.70 + courier |
| Re-issuance of OCI card | $39 | $1.70 + courier |
| Duplicate OCI card (lost or damaged) | $140 | $1.70 + courier |
| PIO card conversion to OCI | $140 | $1.70 + courier |
All fees are non-refundable, including on rejected applications. This is a strong argument for checking every document twice before you submit.
Where to Submit an OCI Application in Metro Vancouver
OCI applications for British Columbia are handled by the Consulate General of India, Vancouver, with submissions accepted at BLS International application centres.
BLS International — Surrey centre
Scott Road area, Surrey, BC
Phone: 778-508-7411
BLS International — Vancouver centre
Phone: 778-652-4855
Submission hours: 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at all BLS centres in Canada.
General enquiries: Monday to Saturday, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Consulate General of India, Vancouver: cgivancouver.gov.in
BLS centres have relocated more than once in recent years. Confirm the current street address on the BLS Vancouver jurisdiction page before you drive out — especially now that you must attend in person.
How Long Does an OCI Card Take?
BLS states a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks for the Vancouver jurisdiction to return your original documents together with the OCI card. In practice, allow longer around major Indian holidays and the summer travel peak.
Do not book flights to India until the OCI card is physically in your hands. There is no express or emergency OCI service. If you need to travel sooner, the alternative is an India e-Visa, which is approved in about four days — but note that once you hold an OCI card you should travel on it rather than a visa.
The Rule Parents Forget: Updating an OCI After a New Passport
A child’s Canadian passport is valid for a maximum of five years and cannot be renewed — so between birth and adulthood your child will get several new passports. Each one has a knock-on effect for the OCI card. Here are the current rules:
| Age when new passport is issued | What you must do | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | Upload a copy of the new passport and a current photo within 3 months. No new card needed. | Free (within 3 months) |
| First new passport after turning 20 | OCI card must be re-issued — adult facial features have to be captured. | US $25 / CAD $39 consular fee |
| Between 21 and 50 | No further re-issuance required for subsequent passports. | — |
| After turning 50 | Upload the new passport copy and photo within 3 months. | Free (within 3 months) |
Miss the three-month window and a US $25 fee applies. Set a calendar reminder the day your child’s new passport arrives — the update is a five-minute online task if you do it on time.
Common Reasons OCI Applications Get Rejected
- Birth certificate without both parents’ names. Order the long-form BC birth certificate, not the short version.
- Missing surrender certificate for a parent who naturalised as Canadian while holding an Indian passport.
- Photo does not meet spec. White or light background, full face, no shadows, correct dimensions. Infant photos are the most common failure — the same rules that trip up passport applications apply here. Local photographers who handle infant documentation photos know the specifications.
- Copies not self-attested. Every photocopy needs a signature and date.
- Name mismatch between the birth certificate, the Canadian passport and the OCI form. Even a middle name recorded differently will hold up the file.
- Only one parent signed the minor consent form.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an OCI card cost in Canada in 2026?
A fresh OCI card costs CAD $376 in consular fees, plus a BLS International service charge of $1.70 and courier costs. Re-issuance costs CAD $39, a duplicate card for a lost or damaged OCI costs CAD $140, and PIO-to-OCI conversion costs CAD $140. All fees are non-refundable.
How long does it take to get an OCI card in Canada?
BLS International states a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks for the Vancouver jurisdiction, from submission to the return of your original documents with the OCI card. There is no express or emergency service, so do not book travel until the card arrives.
Can a baby born in Canada get an OCI card?
Yes. A minor child whose both parents are Indian citizens, or one of whose parents is an Indian citizen, is eligible — as is the minor child of an OCI cardholder. You need the child’s Canadian passport and a registered birth certificate showing both parents’ names before applying.
Do I have to apply for an OCI card in person in Canada?
Yes. Since 5 April 2026, all OCI applications in Canada must be submitted in person at a BLS International centre because biometrics are collected as part of the process. The application form itself is still completed online first at ociservices.gov.in.
Where do I submit an OCI application in Surrey or Vancouver?
At a BLS International application centre. The Surrey centre can be reached at 778-508-7411 and the Vancouver centre at 778-652-4855. Submission hours are 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Confirm the current street address on the BLS Vancouver jurisdiction website before travelling.
Is an OCI card the same as dual citizenship?
No. India does not allow dual citizenship. An OCI card is a lifelong multiple-entry visa with parity with Non-Resident Indians for most economic and educational purposes. OCI holders cannot vote, hold an Indian passport, hold constitutional office, or buy agricultural land in India.
Do I need to update my child’s OCI card when they get a new passport?
For a child under 20, you upload a copy of the new passport and a current photo within three months — free of charge, with no new card issued. The card itself must be re-issued once, when the first new passport is issued after the holder turns 20. Uploading later than three months attracts a US $25 fee.
Do OCI holders need a visa to visit India?
No. The OCI card is itself a lifelong multiple-entry visa. Carry the OCI card together with the valid foreign passport it is linked to.
What is a surrender certificate and do I need one?
If a parent held an Indian passport and later became a Canadian citizen, India requires formal renunciation of Indian citizenship and issuance of a Surrender Certificate. A copy is required with a child’s OCI application when a parent now holds foreign citizenship. Missing surrender certificates are one of the most common causes of rejection.
Can OCI applications be rejected, and is the fee refunded?
Yes, applications can be rejected — most often for a birth certificate missing a parent’s name, a non-compliant photograph, a missing surrender certificate, or unattested copies. Fees are explicitly non-refundable and non-transferable, so verify every document before submitting.
Related Guides for Metro Vancouver Families
- Documents You Need After a Newborn in BC (2026)
- How to Get a Newborn Passport in Canada (2026)
- How to Get an India e-Visa from Canada (2026)
- Photographers in Metro Vancouver for passport and OCI photos
- All KidsServiceHub parenting guides
Last updated: August 2026. Fees, eligibility rules and submission requirements are sourced from the Consulate General of India, Vancouver, BLS International Canada and the Government of India OCI Services portal, and may change without notice. KidsServiceHub is not affiliated with the Government of India, the Consulate General of India or BLS International. Always verify current requirements on the official portals before applying.
