OCI processing times for new application made in Oct 2026

[u/Infinite_Sample6057]

Hi, I’m planning to travel to India with my baby born in July. We both are Canadian passport holders. I recently surrendered my Indian passport as well and I’ll be applying from the Toronto/Brampton area.

I want to ask if someone has recently applied for OCI and how long it took to receive it?

I was planning on just going on e-visa but I read online that a return ticket has to be booked for e-visa. I want to book my return while I stay there because I don’t know specifically the return time yet. So looking into applying for OCI as long as I receive it before January 2027.

Both me and baby will stay at my parents place for 3-4 months and not planning to stay more than 6 months by any chance.

Thank you in advance for any guidance.

[u/umesh05]

Can help with eVisa. I brought my kid to India on e visa and I was not asked for an return ticket. I don't know how much time it takes for OCI in canada but eVisa takes hardly 2 to 3 days maximum. Sometimes it comes within hours.

[u/Infinite_Sample6057 → u/umesh05]

Did you only book a one way ticket?

[u/umesh05 → u/Infinite_Sample6057]

Yes

[u/EternalAj]

My wife applied around Sept 6th also a Canadian paspsort holder in Vancouver and got eOCI on Oct 13th.

If in Vancouver just pay premium with BLS to avoid multiple back and forth on corrections.

[u/vKGAMES_]

Since e-oci 2-3 weeks according other peoples posts

[u/Prudent_GroceryMan]

don't let the return ticket thing stop you from using an e-visa. you can just buy a fully refundable flight or use an onward ticket service for ten bucks for the airline check-in, then cancel it once you land.

bls in toronto is notoriously painful with baby oci applications (they reject them over the tiniest smudge on the thumbprint). if you get stuck in a document loop, you won't get it by january. the e-visa gives you up to 180 days per visit anyway, which covers your 3-4 months easily.

[u/b33rd]

I applied here in Houston.
Application received by VFS - September 3
Application received by consulate - September 7
eOCI generated - October 14

[u/Avionward]

India's official e-Visa rules mention a return or onward journey ticket, so it doesn't necessarily have to be a flight back to Canada. Since you're planning to stay 3–4 months, make sure you choose an e-Visa category that covers your entire stay. The 30-day tourist e-Visa wouldn't be enough. If your return date is uncertain, a refundable flight is worth considering. We run Avionward, which provides temporary flight reservations, but those aren't the same as fully issued tickets, so check what your airline requires.

[u/toxicbrew]

> return ticket has to be booked for e-visa

I don't think this is the case, but if you can afford it, I would say book a fully flexible return ticket and cancel it once you are in India

Also note that one way tickets to India can often be 80-90% of the one way fare, so you might be better off booking a fully flexible full return flight and changing the date needed.

[u/mytmouse13]

I second other's post. I was also not asked for return ticket for e-visa for my newborn when we traveled last year

[u/AsporaTeam]

you should apply for OCI now, but don’t rely on approval before jan and keep an e-Visa as backup and see if you can book a flexibe/refundable return ticket if your departure date is uncertain.

[u/Photographer0107]

Applied OCI for my newborn on Sept 19th, 2026 at Chicago. Got the e-OCI today afternoon. Hope this helps.