Quick answer: in Canada, a fresh OCI application is filled in online, then the signed printout, documents and fee are submitted at a BLS centre in the jurisdiction of the Consulate General in Toronto. The Toronto consulate lists a fee of C$376 for a new OCI registration. If you were an Indian citizen before becoming Canadian, a surrender or renunciation certificate is mandatory in most cases, so apply for it first. Canadian rules and fees differ from the United States and the United Kingdom, where the process runs through VFS.
Details come from the Consulate General of India in Toronto and BLS International Canada, and they change. Check the current checklist for your category before you submit. This guide is independent and is not run by the government of India or BLS. Checked: 7 November 2026.
Which category fits you
| Category | Typical applicant | Where to read the consulate steps |
|---|---|---|
| Adults who were previously Indian citizens | You held an Indian passport and then became a Canadian citizen | Toronto consulate page |
| Adults whose parents were Indian citizens | You were born outside India to Indian-citizen parents | Toronto consulate page |
| Minors | A child applying through parents | Toronto consulate page |
| Spouses of Indian citizens or OCI holders | Applications on spousal grounds | The consulate lists a separate form guide on its OCI menu |
The rest of this guide covers the first category, the one most Canadian citizens of Indian origin use.
Step 1: get your surrender certificate
The consulate says a surrender or renunciation certificate is mandatory for adults who obtained foreign citizenship on or after 1 June 2010. Applicants who obtained foreign citizenship before that date can provide a copy of their last held Indian passport instead, provided the passport has a cancellation stamp. Applicants who have none of the three, meaning a surrender certificate, the last held passport or a copy of it, can read the OCI FAQs for the nativity certificate, which can be used in place of a surrender or renunciation certificate. See our Indian passport surrender in Canada guide for the process and the consulate surrender FAQ.
Step 2: fill in the online application
The application is submitted online at the OCI services portal. The consulate says all documents must be uploaded, and they can be combined into one PDF within each document type. After you submit it, no changes can be made by hand. If something is wrong, fill a fresh form and use that one. The consulate cannot edit your online form. It may also ask for additional documents.
Step 3: gather the documents
This is the list for adults who were previously Indian citizens, as the Toronto consulate publishes it:
| Document | Notes from the consulate |
|---|---|
| Application form printout | The signed printout of the online form |
| Surrender or renunciation certificate | Or the cancelled last held Indian passport for those who took foreign citizenship before 1 June 2010. A nativity certificate can be used if none of these exist |
| Last held Indian passport | A copy of the cancelled or surrendered passport, front and back pages |
| Mandatory declaration | A declaration form that the consulate links from its page |
| Certificate of foreign citizenship | A copy that clearly shows the date you obtained citizenship |
| Current foreign passport | A valid current passport and a copy |
| Marriage certificate and spouse passport | If married. The registered marriage certificate is not required if your spouse’s name is written on your Indian passport. Include a copy of your spouse’s current passport |
| Confirmation of permanent residence | The COPR |
| Professional details | Details of your occupation |
| Proof of address | Any one of a driving licence, a provincial government photo ID, or a utility bill (gas, electricity, water or landline) or lease agreement showing your address. Phone bills and bank statements are not accepted |
| Photograph | One colour photo, 2 inch by 2 inch (51 mm), plain light but not white background, front view, dark clothes, eyes open, with about 80 percent face coverage |
| Fee | See the next section |
The consulate also links a checklist and information booklet to print and attach. Use the checklist for your category and follow it exactly, since the consulate can ask for more.
Fee
| Service | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| New OCI registration | 376 |
| Updating passport details after 3 months of issuance | 39 |
| Voluntary surrender of an OCI card | 39 |
These figures are from the Toronto consulate fee page. BLS charges its own service fee on top, and we have not confirmed the current OCI service charge, so check the BLS page and ask before you prepare payment. Payment methods are listed on the BLS site (BLS OCI page).
Step 4: submit at BLS
The consulate says to submit the duly signed printout, the supporting documents and the fee at a BLS centre. Find your centre on the consulate’s list of authorised BLS centres, and check whether you need an appointment before you travel there. Keep copies of everything you hand over.
Digital e-OCI and what to check
Our guide for the United States notes that new applicants there get a digital e-OCI card only, from 8 July 2026, according to a notice from the Consulate General in Chicago (OCI application guide for the United States). We have not confirmed the same notice for the Toronto jurisdiction, so check the Toronto checklist before you apply. For downloading the card and updating a renewed passport, see our e-OCI card and passport update guide. If you are travelling to India, see our India e-Arrival Card guide for OCI holders.
Common mistakes
- Applying for OCI before the surrender certificate is ready.
- Using a phone bill or bank statement as proof of address.
- Making handwritten changes after printing the form instead of filling a fresh one.
- Sending a photograph that does not match the consulate’s specification.
- Following the United States or United Kingdom guides for fees and where to submit. In Canada the fee is in CAD and the centre is BLS.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does OCI cost in Canada?
The Toronto consulate lists C$376 for a new OCI registration. BLS adds its own service fee, which you should confirm on its page.
Where do I submit an OCI application in Canada?
Fill the form online, then submit the signed printout, documents and fee at a BLS centre in the Toronto consulate’s jurisdiction.
Do I need a surrender certificate for OCI?
Yes, in most cases. Applicants who obtained foreign citizenship before 1 June 2010 can provide a cancelled last held Indian passport instead, and a nativity certificate can be used if you have neither.
Which proof of address is accepted?
A driving licence, a provincial government photo ID, or a utility bill or lease agreement. Phone bills and bank statements are not accepted.
What is the fee to update passport details on OCI?
C$39 if the update is made after 3 months of issuance, according to the Toronto consulate fee page.
Can I apply at the consulate itself?
The consulate directs applicants to submit at BLS centres. Check its current page for any exceptions.
Is OCI issued as a physical card in Canada?
We have not confirmed this for Toronto. In the United States, new applicants get a digital e-OCI from 8 July 2026. Check the Toronto checklist.
Sources
| Point | Source |
|---|---|
| Documents, steps, online portal, surrender rules, nativity certificate | Consulate General of India, Toronto, OCI for adults who were previously Indian citizens |
| Fees | Consulate General of India, Toronto, OCI fees |
| Surrender certificate rules | Consulate General of India, Toronto, surrender FAQ |
| BLS OCI services | BLS International Canada |
Checked 7 November 2026. This page will be updated if fees or procedures change.
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