Indian Consulate in Vancouver – What You Need to Know

Posted on Apr 1st, 2022 by Heena Ganotra, Last updated on Aug 24th, 2022

An Indian citizen traveling or migrating to Vancouver, Canada should be familiar with the Consulate General in Vancouver. This organization acts as a representative of India in Canada and offers support to Indian citizens for everything from passport replacement to voting. If you face any legal issues, you should contact the consulate immediately for assistance. 

What is the Consulate General of India in Vancouver?

The High Commission and the Embassy are representatives of the Indian Government in Canada. This organization ensures all Indian citizens follow proper procedures, have the right documents, and get the assistance they need while they are away from their home country. There are many such organizations in different areas of the country, but the one in Vancouver helps everyone traveling to or residing in the area.

The consulate has jurisdiction over British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory, Alberta, and North West Territories. 

It is located in #201-325 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 1Z7. You can find all of the information you need on their website. 

Consulate General Services

The Consulate General offers a wide range of services that can help Indian citizens when they are away from their home country. Here’s a brief look at the services offered by the Indian Consulate in Vancouver:

1. Passport

The CGI Vancouver office offers a wide range of passport services. All passport applications are processed through the BLS portal. Applicants should never approach the consulate directly. The passport services the consulate provides include:

• Replacing a lost or damaged passport.
• Renewing a passport.
• Issuing a fresh passport.
• Child passport.
• Renewal of a short validity passport.
• Passport issuance in case of adoption.
• Changing important details like name, address, parents’ name, appearance, or sex.

You need to submit a duly completed form along with all of the required documentation and the old passport to the BLS center. 

2. Visa

If you wish to visit India for any reason, you need to apply for a visa at the consulate. The organization doesn’t accept any application directly unless there is an emergency like the death of a relative in India. 

Indian Visa application in Vancouver should be submitted to the BLS Visa portal. The process can take up to 30 days, or longer in some cases. The types of Visas granted by the consulate include:

• Business
• Conference 
• Emergency 
• Employment
• Entry
• Film
• Intern
• Journalist
• Medical/Medical Attendant
• Research
• Student
• Surrogacy
• Tourist

Different kinds of Visas require different documentation. We recommend looking at the CGI Vancouver office’s website before putting in an application. 

3. OCI / PIO

Until 2015, individuals of Indian origin in Canada could apply for a PIO or Person of Indian Origin certificate. Now, the Consulate of India in Vancouver offers an Overseas Citizen of India certificate in its stead. 

This certificate has a wide range of benefits, including a lifelong multi-entry and multipurpose visa to India. People eligible for the certificate don’t require to register with the police when they visit India and can purchase agricultural or plantation properties in the country. 

As with all applications, the forms and documents must be submitted through the BLS portal instead of approaching the Consulate General in Vancouver directly. 

4. Emergency Certificate

Sometimes citizens need to return to India urgently and don’t have valid documentation. In such cases, the Consulate will provide an Emergency Certificate. 

An EC is a one-way document that allows Indian citizens to travel to India immediately. It is only provided under the circumstances mentioned below:

• Your passport has expired and your visa is no longer valid so you must leave Canada immediately. 
• You have been deported from Canada by CBSA and need a travel document to return to India. 
• If your passport is lost, damaged, or stolen and can’t be recovered. You will need an EC if your visa is no longer valid and you aren’t able to wait until a new passport is issued. 

The Consular Officer decides whether your case constitutes an emergency. The certificate is typically granted in one day or on the same day, depending on the nature of the emergency. The Consulate will confirm the passport details of the applicant ad their nationality before granting the certificate. 

5. Life Certificate

If you draw a pension from India or need to present proof of life for other purposes, you can apply for a life certificate at the Consulate General office. You just need to fill out the forms and provide the required self-attested documents.

The Consulate will initiate a video call on Whatsapp to confirm the applicant’s identity and status before providing the Life Certificate. 

6. Other Consular Services

The Consulate of India in Vancouver provides other services outside of passport and visa assistance as well. These services include:

• Non-Resident Indian Certificate
• Police Clearance Certificate
• Registering a child born in Canada to Indian parents
• Certificate of Birth/Date of Birth
• Surrendering Indian Passport for individuals taking up Canadian citizenship. 
• Registering the death of an Indian citizen in Canada. 
• Transporting the body or ashes back to India. 
• Attesting important documents. 

You can mail the applications and documents to the consulate and schedule an appointment if necessary. The procedure for everything mentioned above is explained clearly on the consulate’s website. 

Consulate General Timings 

The Indian High Commission in Vancouver is open Monday to Friday except on public holidays. The organization has set aside different timings for different purposes.

• Attesting Documents – 9.30 AM to 11.30 AM – Monday to Friday.
• Emergency Visa Application – 9.30 AM to 11.30 AM – Monday to Friday – 10.00 AM to 12.00 PM on Saturday. 
• Emergency Passport Application – 9.30 AM to 11.30 AM – Monday to Friday. 
• Life Certificates – 9.30 AM to 11.30 AM – Monday to Friday. 
• Inquiry over the Counter – 9.30 AM to 11.30 AM – Monday to Friday. 
• General Timing for the CGI Office in Vancouver – 9.00 AM to 5.30 PM. 

These are the services provided by the Indian Consulate in Vancouver. If you need assistance with your passport, visa, or in case of emergency, you can contact the office and get comprehensive support.

FAQ

Q. Can I walk into the CGI Office in Vancouver for application or inquiries?

A. The office has discontinued Walk-In services until further notice due to the pandemic. You can submit applications through online forms or emails wherever required. 

Q. What if I need a passport urgently?

A. You can apply for passport renewal or replacement under the TATKAL scheme. You must contact the passport section of the organization directly by sending an email to ppt.vancouver@mea.gov.in/cons.vancouver@mea.gov.in. 

Q. What if my passport has been expired for more than a year?

If your passport has been expired for more than a year, you need to fill out the regular passport application form, provide all the required documents, and then provide a self-declaration explaining why you haven’t been able to renew your passport for such a duration. 

We recommend renewing your passport at least a year before it is due to expire to avoid problems down the line. 

Q. Can I apply or collect a passport in person?

A. No. You need to apply through the BLS portal and your new passport will be mailed to you at your official address once it is processed and approved. 

Q. How long does it take for my passport application to process?

Under the normal category, applicants may get their passports in two weeks. Under the TATKAL category, applicants can get their passports in two business days. This doesn’t include any delays in shipping. 

Now that you know that the CGI office has your back when you are visiting a foreign land, you can book your tickets without worries. 

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