OCI Update:
Note any applications taken from last year (2011) will be accepted at our centers up to Jan 15 2012.
To submit any OCI applications filled after January 15 2012, please ensure it has a current year (2012) reference number.
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| Please be informed that Quebec sales tax will increase from 8.5% to 9.5% from 1 Jan 2012. |
Holiday Closures: All our centers will function from 8am – 2:30 pm on 24 December & 31 December 2011
Please be advised of possible delays due to courier companies not functioning during the holiday season.
Kindly plan your travel accordingly
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October 2011 - Satellite Telephone Services |
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Satellite telephones services are not permitted in India, without a special licence from the Department of Telecommunication, Government of India. In case you are carrying an unlicensed Satellite phone with you while entering India, you can be prosecuted under the Indian Wireless Act. |
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July 2011 - Online Visa Applications |
All applicants that wish to apply for a Visa to India will now have to and can only apply online.
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The new online application form, which will need to be completed by applicants when submitting documents for a visa to India, has commenced from 25th July 2011 for Ottawa & Toronto jurisdiction and 1st Aug 2011 for Vancouver jurisdiction. It is mandatory for all applicants to bring online filled visa forms to India Visa Application Centers (IVAC). |
Applicants can fill in the online application by clicking here to start the Visa applying process.. Handwritten applications will not be acceptable. Applicants are requested to verify all the details before printing the visa form. Applicants sending the visa applications via courier should remember that paper application form will be returned back to them without processing if received at Indian High Commission, Ottawa; Consulate General of India Toronto & Consulate General of Vancouver.
Applicants should paste (please don’t staple) 1 picture on the visa form (2 inches X 2 inches i.e. 51mm x 51mm). For picture specifications please visit our website www.in.vfsglobal.ca
If there is any information that you require – please email us (based on your jurisdiction) at info.intoronto@vfshelpline.com, or info.invancouver@vfshelpline.com, or info.inottawa@vfshelpline.com
Do's
- Please ensure to note the interim unique reference number generated at the start (and seen on each page) of the online application form
- Please record/ note the final reference number that is generated upon completion of your application
- Provide an email address in your application so that information on your unique reference numbers can be sent
- Please submit a confirmed and detailed itinerary if applying for a double/triple entry visa. However, this does not guarantee the issuance of a visa and the decision would still remain subject to the discretion of the High Commission of India (Ottawa) and the Consulate General (Toronto and Vancouver).
- Applications MUST be signed by the applicant him/herself and not by any representative
- For Postal Applications - please allow 10 to 15 days, from the date it is posted, before the application can be processed
- Before submitting your visa application, please check your passport(s) to ensure there is no valid visa for India
- All fields on the Online Application Form must be completed in as much detail as possible. When entering address information, please ensure that you provide the Postal Code as well.
Don'ts
- Offline/handwritten application forms will not be accepted at the IVACs for applications made on or after 25th July 2011( for Ottawa & Toronto jurisdiction) and 1st Aug 2011 for Vancouver jurisdiction.
- Photographs with a colored background will not be accepted. Photographs only with a white/off white background will be accepted at the IVACs
- Please do not staple photograph to the application Form. Please paste it to the front of the Form.
- Please ensure all applications requiring additional documents are completed prior to submission at the IVACs. Information to this effect is given on the website http://in.vfsglobal.ca
Visa application process
- Log on to the website - http://in.vfsglobal.ca
- Click on the link to begin filling an online visa application form
- Please note the interim Unique Reference Number located at the start, and on each page, of the Online Form once you begin. Guidance notes are also provided
- Complete all the required fields as specified.
- Upon completing and saving the Online Application Form, applicants will receive an email with details of the final Reference Number, providing an email address has been given while filing the Form. Applicants will also have the option to Download/Print the application form at this stage
- Upon clicking Save, applicants will be redirected to the module that allows selection of the center for submission, mode of collection.
- Upon completion, applicants will receive another email with details of the application made
- All applicants will be required to download and sign a Declaration Form, and submit it along with the application at the Visa Center.
- Please wait 1 business day to ensure your data has been received by the Visa Application Center.
- Please submit all documents at the IVAC along with all other required documents.
Processing Time
Under normal circumstances, most visa applications will take a minimum of 4-5 working days to process.
This may vary for specific visa categories, non-Canadian passports and certain nationalities, where the turnaround could be much longer. This decision is at the sole discretion of the High Commission of India and its Consulates.
All visa seekers are recommended to confirm their travel plans only after obtaining the visa.
VF Services (Canada)Inc. will be responsible only for accepting and processing applications. All applications will continue to be assessed by the High Commission of India, Ottawa and its Consulates General in Toronto and Vancouver. Timelines for turnaround of visas are as per the discretion of the authority. |
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Photo Services are available at our Eglinton, Brampton,Vancouver, Surrey, Ottawa and Calgary Visa Application Centers. Picture perfect photographs, taken exactly to specifications. Your Visa and Passport photos always taken on site. |
May 2011 |
OCI - Overseas Citizenship of India.
Effective 9th May 2011 applicants applying for OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) & OCI miscellaneous services will have to pay their OCI fee charges in Canadian dollars; applicants are suggested to click http://in.vfsglobal.ca/oci.aspx for details. |
June 2011 |
Potential Canada Post Service Disruption
Effective 15th June 2011 there is disruption in postal service impacting mail delivery. Applicants using Canada Post might face delays, applicants using Canada Post return envelopes are requested to arrange alternate pick up courier or they can collect their shipments in person. |
December 2010 |
Change in Helpline Number
With effect from 6th December 2010, our helpline number has changed to Toll free number 1 877 599 8071, reachable from any province in Canada. |
July 2010 |
Changes in Service Charges due to HST Implementation
The important update concerning the new proposed HST tax which will take effect on July 1st, 2010 is detailed as follows:
The proposed tax will affect our current total VFS logistic fees structure in all of our VFS centers located in Ontario and British Columbia. Currently VFS logistic charges are CAD $19.25 + 5% tax (i.e. CAD $ 0.96) bringing the total to CAD $ 20.21.
The total VFS logistics fees in Ontario (which includes Toronto, Brampton, and Ottawa VFS centers) are being changed from $20.21 to 21.75 ($19.25 + 13% tax).
The total VFS logistics fees in British Columbia (which includes Surrey and Vancouver application centers) are being changed from $20.21 to $21.56 ($19.25 + 12% tax). |
2010 |
Applicants applying for PIO
Applicants are informed that from 1 Dec, 2010, the fee will be C$ 330 for applicants 18 years and above and C$ 165 for applicants below 18 years. Applications already sent to VF Services center via post or submitted in person will not be entertained for refund. All applications reaching us via post on or after 1st Dec 2010 should be with revised fee.
Please read http://hciottawa.ca/Consular/OCIPIOCards.htm |
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Previous Indian Passport Requirements
All applicants of Indian origin (Indian decent) who wish to apply for an Indian visa and fulfill the criteria of Entry (Visitor) or Tourist visa are only eligible to apply under the Entry (Visitor) visa category. Any applicant of Indian origin (Indian decent) who is applying for an Entry (Visitor) visa for a term of longer than 6 months must provide their most recent Indian passport which needs to be cancelled. If the In case of an application for a minor both parent's passport photocopies are required. |
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Surrender Certificate/ Renunciation of Indian citizenship & procedure for surrender of Indian passport & issue of Surrender Certificate |
Under Indian law, Persons of Indian Origin, who have acquired Canadian/foreign citizenship on or before 31st May, 2010 and are still holding valid Indian passport are required to have their passport cancelled from High Commission of India, Ottawa or Consulate General of India, Vancouver or Consulate General of India, Toronto and obtain a Cancellation stamp on their passports prior to applying for any services. If you have already obtained an Indian VISA/ PIO/ OCI, you still need to obtain a Cancellation Stamp.
Persons of Indian origin, who have acquired Canadian/foreign citizenship on or after 1st June, 2010 are required to renounce their Indian citizenship and surrender their Indian passport for cancellation. The passport will be returned after cancellation and a Surrender Certificate will be issued to the applicants.
A. Surrender certificate application process for applications submitted under Indian High Commission, Ottawa jurisdiction.
Click Here
B. Surrender certificate application process for applications submitted under Consulate General of India, Toronto jurisdiction.
Click Here
C. Surrender certificate application process for applications submitted under Consulate General of India, Vancouver jurisdiction.
Click Here
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Emergency Services
Emergency Visa / Emergency passport, Attestation, Transportation of ashes, renewal of passport in case of loss and damage of passport and the life certificates will be handled by the High Commission/ Consulate General of India directly. Emergency services are offered by Indian High Commission Ottawa, Consulate General of India Toronto & Consulate General of Vancouver. Applicants are requested to check their respective website for emergency service hours. Applicants are informed that they will be required to carry documents to provide reason of emergency at time of emergency service. The emergency service visa fee is posted on IHC Ottawa, CGI Toronto & CGI Vancouver’s |
