BLS International Services Canada

The BLS office at Scarborough is truly helpful. I visited the office to submit OCI applications for my son and myself. Ms. Elsa helped me through the entire process. She is patient and answers all your questions and concerns. Moreover she gives you correct information and genuinely helped me with the application. The waiting hours are long but in all fairness, given the current situation and staffing shortages that is understandable. The security staff is very polite and patient . Thank you Ms. Elsa and the entire staff at the office for helping us during these challenging times.

This is the situation right now because of poor communication and poor management at BLS Toronto office. They did put up a notice on website that due to bad weather they will be opening late and minimal staff but no staff showed up in office and doors are locked. When general public can reach from 50Kms in bad weather and snow how come staff cannot!! Worst part is their phone number they put on website if “Not in Service” and no notice in website. Called their helpline and they said it’s open!! Worst management and communication ever..

I was at the BLS center earlier today. As usual, there was a long line to get in. A token system will be very helpful to streamline the process. The wait times are too long, a token system will be a relief for the elderly and people with health issues. However, once we got in, it was a pleasant experience. We were assisted by Elsa, who was amazing. She is extremely knowledgeable about every process and genuinely wants to help. She was extremely patient (and this was almost at the end of the day) in sorting out all documents. She was very efficient as well. No doubt others were seeking her advice and guidance. The 5 stars are just for her. Thank you Elsa.

DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE FAKE 5 STAR REVIEWS! THAT'S HOW THEY ARE MAINTAINING 4+ RATING. Review: Not organized in anyway. Why give appointments when you want to serve at your own time? I drove an hour to reach here. My appointment was at 1:20pm. I reached there by 1:05pm, they made me wait in the freezing cold for over an hour and let me in at 2:30pm, had to wait inside the office for another hour (3:30pm) only to be told to come back on Saturday. The staff work as if their main motive is to waste people's time and tell them come back later. I had selected Tatkal option for my passport processing, they said it can't be done and told me to fill a new application in standard option and comeback later. Is it really a valid reason to turn down someone's application? You do realize that people drive for an hour or more to get to your office and have to take off from work? Show some respect towards your customers. The notice (Government systems are temporarily down) in the attached picture is a testament to how ridiculous this place is. They've permanently stuck a system temporarily down board on the door. Wow!

I was very impressed by the service I received at the BLS at the Toronto Centre location. Elsa provided clear instructions on how to proceed with my application and she also explain me if i want to make any changes to my application i can do it now and I was quite amazed at how she recognized and remembered the details of my application when I went back to the same location after some days following my first visit!. Overall, I am impressed by the courteousness and the professionalism with which the service was provided.

I was very impressed by the service I received at the BLS at the Toronto Centre location. Elsa provided clear instructions on how to proceed with my application and gave clear directions on what was needed for the next steps. I was quite amazed at how she recognized and remembered the details of my application when I went back to the same location after over two months following my first visit!. Overall, I am impressed by the courteousness and the professionalism with which the service was provided.

Elsa is the best. I was optimistic on so many reviews below on Elsa's service, but BLS exceeded the expectation today with Elsa's service. Generally, we end up blaming BLS and their service but it is not the case. It literally takes 10 min to submit the application, if you have everything in order. I see people complaining below on about rude security guard not letting walk-in and people inside; it is not fair to accept walk-in when other people waited months for their appointments. I'm writing below some of things I encountered, so it may help someone else. Document: Although we think our document is up to date, but it is not the case. It is clearly mentioned that BLS cannot make hand written change, they can only suggest; same is also applied when getting US visa. When filing each and every detail, make sure it is according to supporting documents. i.g. if your home address on license says "st" (for street), then make sure you write "st" in your application and not street. Supporting Document: Take each and every document you can think of. It doesn't hurt to take extra 2 papers and make photocopies of each. And on each photocopies write "This is a true copy of the original". Sign and Date at the bottom. So, you can help speed up the line. Appointment Time: Try to make an appointment earlier in the morning, so you still have a chance to make correction and come back in line (if they get chance to except walk-in). If your appointment is afternoon, then you won't get a chance to make correction and come back. Affidavit: If your Canadian Passport and Indian Passport name doesn't match, then get Affidavit. You will save money. Some local in your city may do it for free. I had to find local law office, and it cost me fortune. There were only 3 people working at the time of my visit, needless to say BLS needs to add more staff; but right now, whole world is short staffed; so, have some patience. BLS and Tourism India need to have up to date information in checklist or have a system to apply online, if they wish to attract more Tourism to India.

This is a honest review, I’m here to renew my Indian passport. 1) At any given point of time When you try to book appointment online you won’t find any kind of slot. 2) 8Am-1pm is walk-in time but people stand from 5AM by writing down their names on the paper which doesn’t guarantee you that your applications will be taken. Out of 50 applicants hardly 25 might be accepted if your are lucky. 3) people will be standing outside for hours and hours in bitter cold temperatures they don’t even care. And finally after standing for 5-6 hrs when you turn didn’t come you have to come again some other day and do the process again. It’s completely nonsense. They should change the process cause this location doesn’t have enough staff and they are not fast enough you can put it this way “incompetent”.