Pleasantly surprised. Went to the BLS Vancouver centre for a passport reprint query a few days ago. There was just one girl handling all the clients who were coming in (though to be fair, in total there were only a handful). Not only was she extremely kind and courteous, she even resolved my concern in a matter of minutes and I was on the way home. I'm not sure if the service would have been as quick on other days but if what I've read from the other reviews here, if all the staff is as kind and patient in dealing with clients like she was, I'm sure they'll have 5-star reviews in no time. read more

I had an extremely frustrating experience with BLS while applying for my PCC. My application was returned multiple times for reasons that were either unclear or later identified as errors on their end. In one instance, I was informed that my signature was not properly aligned, but after escalation, it was acknowledged that this issue was caused by their own agent. Despite repeated attempts to resolve the issue, customer service was unhelpful, and calls were frequently disconnected. Additionally, there appears to be limited access to regular appointments, with pressure to opt for paid premium appointments, which adds to the overall inconvenience and cost. Based on my experience, I strongly encourage others facing similar issues to formally report their concerns through the Ontario Consumer Protection website so that these practices can be reviewed and addressed. There is a clear need for improved transparency, accountability, and customer service. I hope appropriate action is taken to ensure a fair and reliable process for all applicants. read more

Weirdest phone services ever had in my whole life. There are no experts agents to help you over the phone. somebody waiting hours to talk to somebody and they either disconnect or transfer. read more

BLS Vancouver - Mr Japteg - THANK YOU! :) I met Mr. Japteg for my renunciation certificate submission. He was absolutely helpful, kind, respectful and caring. This sheer service mentality and putting the client-first approach will certainly take him to greater success in life. I appreciate BLS for recruiting such brilliant and gentle staff. Thank You Mr Japteg and BLS. read more

I got there at 730am. Only few people ahead of me. Service was actually very good and they were polite. Security guard was organized and issued number slips. Opposite of what I read online. The gentleman helping was a Sikh person. Super kind and gave me advice on how to contact the embassy following my application submission read more

I recently visited BLS International for my PCC appointment, and I was being assisted by Rajat. He was extremely helpful throughout the entire process, making sure everything went smoothly. His guidance and support were much appreciated. read more

It was an amazing and seamless experience. I was assigned to Karuna and she helped us get it all done in one go!

Useless, only Money money money greedy. Unless you take premium lounge service and pay $60, they will keep finding mistakes in your application. read more

bls toronto..only motive is to harass... bls toronto..only motive is to harass customers. pointing out silly mistakes and sending them back after waiting n number of hours !! such a shame!! read more

Very bad experience this is the worst place I would want to be in for any kind of paperwork went for visa application and the Lady called me at 9 am saying that she will take my application. Am not saying the others who were sitting there and have appointments are free and have plenty of time but for me I specially asked her that if it's ok and 9 am is ok. She assured me that it will not take that much time untill 11 am I waited got late from work I asked her again and again but she said not your turn yet. I think they are following only their own rules and have no words . please don't trust these people. i wonder they are atill practicing Indian work ethics on these foreign lands. it my bad luck I have to visit this place for my visa's and paperwork read more

great customer service. Sonia helped me after understanding my situation. Very professional and responsive. Simply outstanding

They rip you off with courier fee and this is where they make their tip money. Don't fall prey if they say you have to book courier with them. That's a trap. I used my own courier by going to Staples, it was 5 times cheaper than what they quoted. List to stop falling prey. 1. They will say things like, we don't accept any other courier, lie. That means besides Purolator, no other Courier is to be trusted in Canada? 2. They'll say you have to book a courier with them. it's not the law that you have to follow. Decline it. You are getting ripped off. 3. They will make it seem like if you don't book courier with them, you're application won't be accepted. Another blackmail for trap. 4. They will also say a return courier is a must, say NO. 5. You can easily send it yourself for return or one way, your choice, because sending is a must if no appointment available, but once application is ready, you have the choice to go pick it up. Just ask questions related with your application. If they start talking about a pick up courier arrangement and they sending you a link to pay for it, just say NO. Say anything like, a/ you will send it yourself, b/ bargain and say the pick up charge at local place is $20, they will either agree or back off. They quoted me $ 195 for a return courier, I sent it myself for $ 22, one way. Don't waste your hard earned money. Make the effort, go out and do it yourself. We go shopping, to family and friends, run all our errands, why not this one? read more

This is the best I have ever experienced in the many years of coming to BLS for my visa. The two women in charge are competent, considerate, respectful and timely. They found a way to help me and certainly brought ease to my life. Thank you so very much. Namaste! read more

Why this is a shitty place? * They don't tell you about other ways to pickup/receive your documents. If you ask, they will scare you and make you feel you are doing the something wrong. Since all the documents we deal with BLS are important, people tend to scared pretty easily. I guess this is where they make/steal huge money from all their customers. * Even if you booked an appointment, still have to wait for people before you. What is point of appointment then. * Do you know BLS have walk-ins for PCC and passport related services (immediate service) - We don't because they don't tell us in website or in-person. If they do that then they will loose money in parcel/delivery services. * If there is a mistake in application, you have to come back again. I mean you have to get an appointment which could few weeks to months. If you are lucky, you will get an note from their BLS staff, very considerate in that sense. * One family who had 4 appointments (four people in their family) had to come back again because they missed a step. Now, they have to get new four appointments to do the previous step. Once that is completed, then do the current process. So, they just send them back. And the family couldn't do much. Same happened to an elderly gentlemen but in his it is one person. Instead of four appointments, they have to do 12 appointment now. So 4 appointments (15min each) equal to one hour and more free time for BLS staff. * Online verification of document - This happens only for case by case basis. At least do this for the people who made one or two mistakes and they can send the pending document in email and complete the process, instead of sending them back. What you can do? * Save money - If you don't want to spend more money on pickup services provided by BLS, after completing the application check with BLS staff, ask for alternatives. Pick up availability or alternate courier services. I think they will scare you enough to pay for their service. If you are strong then may be buy a pre-paid CanadaPost cover before going there but I have to test it next time. Or pick up time availability. * If you choose to use CanadaPost or other couriers for sending and/or receiving documents, BLS will say the process is not guaranteed. But make sure you do "Signed delivery". This will make sure someone in BLS gets the application and you know their name. If you call them and they say that they didn't get it, make sure you tell them that you will file a complaint with local police. You can file a complaint with receipt and email from courier service when delivered. Since this deals with important documents, action on this will be very effective. This is exactly what one person did, called BLS and told them he is going to file a complaint. One week, he got his document back. Pretty effective. Why did the person choose CanadaPost, because BLS wanted the person to send the documents again because there was a typo. So, another $190, in addition to $190 that was already spent. Could have been addressed in email but no for BLS. Making more money from their additional services is more important than document processing. Service fee is relatively minimal compared to their postal services. * Report and record in open forum about their wrong doings, and hope BLS address their process. BLS Staff: * Staffs are pretty solid at what they do. My guess is, the management have instructed them to sell high priced services in addition to doing their job, so they can't go off script. Above observations clearly tells that BLS shady practices and hidden agenda is not well received. Primary goal is money, if you don't give money they will delay it. If a different contractor would make the process go smooth? Or Indian Consulate may consider to give the contract to a contractor who automates most of these processes. You might wonder how one person might get all these information, if you go to BLS office four times in a week, you will forced to learn. Sad part is, I have visit them again few more times for next documents. Part 2 is coming soon! read more

I took my mother's passport in for a tourist visa application. I did not have an appointment, but arrived early to stand in line, and was seen approximately 2 hours later. It was busy the day I went in (Friday before long weekend). From the moment I entered the building, everyone was friendly and I was told that without an appointment, I would have to wait in line for cancellations etc. When my number was called, I met with Gurneet who was friendly and ever helpful. She reviewed my documents, took my payment and was concise on the 'next steps' on how I would receive the passport back. I left feeling 100% confident and secure that my application was in good hands and the process was in motion! I appreciated the help from BLS and could not imagine navigating this urgent (and often complicated!) process without them. read more

BLS needs to be avoided completely! They took 4 weeks for a simple delivery from Surrey to Vancouver. They caused my application 2 months of delay due to their bad customer service and complete lack of process. I tried calling 10 times and paid shipping 2 times, but no help. Its much better to use Consular services directly instead of going via BLS read more

I visited their Lawrence Ave Branch around 11am and was told there were even old ladies waiting outside from even 7am and no one even bothered. There were other that said their place in the 40 deep line had not even moved in the last 2 hours. When I went inside to ask to speak to a Manager, I was told there was no Manager. When I asked to speak to a Supervisor, I was told there was No Supervisor either. When I asked for a phone # the rude security officer said he did not have the # either. There were literally only 2 young girls sitting in 2 counters and 6 other counters were unmanned When I asked him for his name the Security Officer refused to give me his name. So i decided to take a picture of the Security Guard and when I did so the Security Guard snatched my phone and literally hit me just missing my face and hitting me hard on my shoulder I had to finally call the police and when i did so i saw they speeding up the process after keeping people waiting for 4 to 5 hours who again would have to wait inside for at least another hour Finally the police only showed up after 1 and half hours and had to speak to the people inside and collect the Camera footage. Now I am going to be pressing charges against this office and their most pathetic service as if all Indians in Canada are like 3rd class citizens!!!! read more

If there was rating lower than 1 star, they deserve it. They refused to use my pre-paid return envelope saying that I have not provided it. They had me pay for courier charges and never returned my package. Called them 3 weeks in a row and they promised they will dispatch. I called them the fourth week and 4 times in a row the reps would just hang up on me. This is terrible. Probably the owner paid good bribe to get this contract to do stuff on behalf of Indian embassy. When I ask if I can speak with a manager they refuse. Absolute garbage. read more

Will not recommend to anyone! The worst ever service. It's been 6 months I have applied for OCI for me and my family, they keep asking for same things again and again. Their telephone agents have no knowledge at all, because of them I had to pay the courier fees that could have been avoided. Worst nightmare experience. I wish I never have to deal with them again. read more

Worst service ever at Surrey BLS, receptionist girl was so rude to everyone. They will ruin ur whole day. They will make your bad day worst with their rudeness. Useless staff read more

I have had an adverse experience regarding putting up my application regarding OCI. I was not able to upload the photograph and signatures. I kept on calling them over phone to resolve the issue. However, after waiting for several hours many times, I was able to talk to one of the agent. While I was discussing the issue, they hung up the phone. By no means, I am able to contact them over phone so far. It is really annoying, frustrating, and disappointing. I hope after reading my review, someone may help me resolve the issue. Thanks read more

I wish I could rate this place 0 stars. This place is ridiculous. Agents have no sense and don't understand how important people's time is. Every time you go they will add two additional forms and you have to go home to fill those forms and print..... read more

Everything about BLS, India's privatized Visa and Passport processing service, is dismal. My first impression of this company was negative, as they are located in the dingy basement of an otherwise impressive looking highrise along Howe Street. The underground service centre lacks any fresh air, any natural light, and any decor. Reflecting the awful location of this bureaucratic failure of a company is the customer service. Upon my first visit for an Indian Tourist Visa application, the grumpy receptionist took a look at my well-worn and washing machine-tested passport and said I had to go the the Indian Consulate one block away to check whether my document would be accepted. I went over to the Consulate and they said my passport was passable. So, I went back to BLS, was shown to a bizarre and completely empty whitewashed waiting room, and was then finally beckoned into a messy backroom office to see a Visa clerk. I paid my $75 for BLS to process my Visa and was told it would be a week. Great! Easy! Or so I thought, until I received a call a few days later saying my application had been rejected because my passport was damaged. I needed a *new* passport, and I needed to pay *another* $75 fee to BLS. It is totally unacceptable that BLS a) accepted my wrinkly passport when it is their job to process complete Visa and Passport applications, and b) charged me twice and, c) could not tell me how long it would take to process my Visa...when I had an impending trip planned. BLS' ineptitude extends all the way to its automated status update delivery system. I received six emails over a span of two days "updating" me as to the status of my Visa, but when I did a manual update check it said my Visa was already back at BLS and ready for pick-up. This company is not representing India properly and is dissuading potential tourists through their incompetence. Visit Nepal instead. read more

BLS International Services Canada - A nice building! Except BLS is in the basement :( - Embassy Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

BLS Edmonton: Quite a bad experience with the new management/staff. Waited 2 hours and they would not accept my application and nooooo reasons. If Indian/ Edmontonian had similar experience please share the video.Hoping BLS would make an improvement after watching the video https://youtu.be/DjgiQvUokX8 read more

BLS! You can do a lot better! - get more details on your website. - correct your forms. Utterly misguiding! - place samples online, it's not a big project! - give out online appointments. - educate your staff to talk politely. For heavens sake, you are a service provider! - provide clearer instructions in checklists. - links on your website point to non-existent sites! Are you a school project or what?! - provide a feedback and complaint location for issues. Come on, please provide services that you promise!! read more

If you need a tourist visa, do NOT use BLS in Vancouver. Apply online for an e-visa. Stupid wait times (3 1/2 hours) and new recently mandatory $20 courier fees make it even more frustrating. Wish I had known better! read more

Poor communication! Worst english! Service rep are assholes with incomplete knowledge! Because of confusion i had to pay to courier service twice!! Bloody mess !! Minus stars! read more

Want an absolutely authentic Indian experience without ever leaving Vancouver? Simply apply for an Indian visa using BLS! When the country that revolutionized business process outsourcing outsources its own bureaucratic functions, you know you are in for a treat. Start your adventure on BLS's late-20th-Century website. Ignore that much of the information conflicts with the information you've found on the Government of India's website. We all know that the GOI can't be trusted to get things right (even its own rules); so why should BLS have to do any better? Paperwork is way more exciting when the requirements remain semi-mysterious. All will be revealed in good-time -- say, after three or four visits to BLS even though you have already completed the online registration required by the Consulate General of India and complied with every item on its checklist of requirements. No Indian excursion would be complete without experiencing the bureaucratic legacy of the British, as uniquely embraced and adopted by Indian officialdom. True, the clerks at BLS are not authentic Government of India employees; but they seem so real, so life-like, they could even fool experts. They exude all the charmlessness and unhelpfulness of the the genuine articles. Fashioned from once-intelligent people, these functionaries have been thoroughly lobotomized by rules and procedures so senseless and opaque that it is dangerous even for you to be exposed to them for too long. The highlight of any trip to India is experiencing the famous Indian hospitality. The guest is god, as they say. BLS makes you at home for hours in their waiting room, which is an exact replica of a real Indian waiting room. Decorated in the four-bare-walls style that exemplifies post-colonial Indian interior design, the room is accented with decorative touches that perhaps only an Indian national or a true aficionado might appreciate. These include the hodgepodge of pages cello-taped to one wall at skewed angles, containing obsequiously stated, grammatically mangled, inessential information. India first-timers will of-course notice the monitor that (seemingly never) announces that an applicant may advance to a clerk's desk; but only old India-hands will nod knowingly at the haphazard, jury-rigged way the cable is tacked along the wall as it meanders to reach the monitor. Eager for the will-it-work-or-won't-it thrill of India's famous information technology? Try checking the status of your visa application using BLS's online system. It will make you nostalgic for those heady days when Indian Railways was first pretending it was modern. Just about the only aspect of Indian bureaucracy not well-represented by BLS was the astonishing lack of opportunity to bribe your way to a faster, more satisfactory result. I only spent three hours there (afterall, I had only one simple business visa to obtain), so perhaps this was just my oversight. So, why spend $2000 on airfare when you can enjoy the real India right here at home! read more

Had to use them for two different occasion. Maybe the staff have changed since the last reviews. Like all Bureaucratic offices (Canadian/Indian) going between 8:30 - 10:00 seems like the best bet as it is relatively empty. The staff was very courteous on both occasions. For the second time I was applying as group for my family and I was missing a lot of documents due to the really crappy guide by the Indian Govt. She broke down what I need for each applicant and answered all questions patiently. Having dealt with true bureaucrats in India and abroad, this is definitely way better Yes the area is not very fancy and very run down, but I am not going there for a party. Definitely would recommend to take a book as the wait could be long depends who goes before you. There are only 4 - 6 tables so peak times can be horrible. read more

Disgusting experience. They should close there Surrey location. People should have option to go directly to consulate. So rude and unprofessional staff. Even there so called supervisor, when they know people don't have any option. They have to go to them. They think they have whole liberty to disgrace people. Would like to rate them -5 read more

Just had to counter the negative review with a positive one. I was very nervous about the experience of getting my Indian visa. But I walked into the BLS office in Vancouver around 9am on a Monday....waited 5 minutes and was ushered into the office of a helpful agent. After telling me that my photo was not compatible he offered to take another one for me there (extra fee, of course). Was promised it would be ready within a couple of days read more

This week (Nov/Dec 2016) I applied for my first tourist visa for India. I found the online information and form useful and easy to use. My visit to the BLS downtown office added to my impression of professional competence and efficiency. The building is a well-maintained traditional office building in downtown Vancouver. The offices are neat, professional, streamlined and efficient. Staff smiled, answered my questions with respect, dealt with my documents and payment efficiently. i went in the morning and wait times were short. Today I received my completed visa by courier -- promptly and, again, professionally. I understand the company also has an office in Surrey, looks like it's in a convenient location there. I had a friendly response to a phone call there, too. read more

I have never seen such a mess place in my entire life. The whole staff is full with losers and liars. There is zero coordination within the team. If one call taker says its day, the other one will literally say its night. And trust me they both are wrong. When they promise you that they will give a call back, they are full of crap. The worst management seen in my entire life. I have lived in India for 14 years. Staff is much more efficient there than here in BLS. They should replace the whole management. read more

Trying to get their attention/a new way to contact BLS Canada. Applied via Fedex to Surrey, BC location and was received 1 week ago by BLS, but tracking still says "No records found" after a week. Called and they told me yesterday it would be updated that day, today they say they can't find any app with my passport number. Then he told me it would get updated within 72 hours. Which is it?? My partner's was sent at the same time/received at the same time and now his says "Processing at Consulate" but mine nothing?? Makes me think his is fine but mine is lost. Very worried and unsure of what to do... read more

My experiences with BLS were NOT positive. I dealt with the Surrey, BC Branch. They kept promising that a Fed Ex agent would come to our home to pick up our visa applications. However, they NEVER notified Fed Ex. I finally deposited the packages in the local Fed Ex drop box. Secondly, they charged me an extra $30.00 for no reason whatsoever, and I am still trying to get this charge refunded. Their complaint person in India has been of absolutely no help. read more

BLS did a wonderful job with handling our application start to finish. There is a surplus of negativity towards those who work here, and how the work is completed, but I promise if you are prepared with your questions, and are ready to follow instructions carefully, they will not steer you wrong. They answered all of my questions, repeated themselves multiple times if I didn't understand what they had said, arranged the pick-up and delivery of my passport and Visa (I live far north of Vancouver in BC) from my front door, and had it back in my hands within 8 business days of the application being picked up. I think that the individuals who must come to do business here, need to bring their humanity and understanding. There is a lot of passive aggressive negativity for these offices across Canada, but check yourself before you tear down these people. If you can handle life when it's not being spoon fed to you, can handle completing a checklist, and you can handle an accent that is not your own, you will be fine. Great work BLS. Keep it up! read more

literally the worst service and incomplete information provided by them i had to submit multiple forms and courier 6 times and still they asking for more documents and saying the information filled on the form is incorrect ? i checked 1000 times the 6th time i send you the documents like your eyes must have turned into potato to see it right. please close you're office or put it on ebay for a 1$. read more

I went there with the hope of touring india with a month long vacation. The service was so rude and customer service non existent that i waited 4 hours and no one helped me. When i asked how long the wait would be, they responded we are busy. Fair enough the service soured me enough that i cancelled my trip to india and never plan on seeking a visa again. If this is how their visa officers treat us in our country, imagine how bad the treatment and hospitality is there. China and Philippines are better tourism options. Its funny a country like india requires a visa, i can imagine how many Canadians want to stay there forever illegally. read more

Theeeee worst customer service ever! I tried to be prepared with all my tourist visa documents, called BLS twice and verified all the documents needed. I waited in line for 45 mins just to reach the receptionist,after which she refused to accept my application because rules had changed and they needed more documents. SIGH**. I had her write down a list of all the documents I needed. She rolled her eyes and was frustrated with me when I tried to explain that I called BLS twice and verified that I had all the required documents. Her excuse was that the call goes to India. The website is completely useless...it says tourist visa everywhere but there's no hyperlink to the actual application anywhere. Anyways, back to the receptionist- she told me to look behind myself and see how busy they were but didn't acknowledge the fact that I had waited 45 minutes only to be rejected. I didn't lose hope, I got all the papers ready and the photocopies. I went back the next day. The same receptionist didn't say hi, hello or goodmorning instead she greeted me with," you came yesterday right". So I got through to the waiting area this time. Yay, finally! After waiting 2.5 hours- only 9 people were in front of me- I counted. I met with the lady that processed my papers. I had an old Indian passport as a child- so I got penalized for not surrendering it. When I tried to tell her that I was a minor and did not make this decision and most importantly I was not aware of it. Her response in a stoic tone was you're not a minor now. Uggh! I got a visa in 2014 and I had no issues!!! Heck I didn't even use the Indian passport...not once, nada. My parents probably kept it for identification purposes. Then came the visa application...... They started asking for documents that were never mentioned! Then finally after all this headache, rude and insensitive customer service. I got a bill of $510.00 which the lady was not willing to breakdown for me, instead the response I got for all my questions was its on the website and your receipt. She wouldn't even tell me which website because even that was on the receipt! Towards the end of this experience her coworker was trying to ask her a visa cost related question- to which the lady 'helping' me told her coworker " let her (me) go then ill help you - she said this in Hindi - flash news....I understand you're talking about me! read more