Prashant Vashista recalls a distressing incident from two years ago involving BLS International, the exclusive company authorized by the Indian consulate in Canada for visa and passport services. The memory takes him back to the time of his mother’s passing.
In a state of grief, he made a one-hour journey to the Brampton branch of BLS to urgently obtain visas for his family in India. Despite physically collecting the visas, Vashista narrated that the staff insisted on a $45 courier fee for himself, his wife, and daughter, totaling $135.
“I was in urgent need, so I had no option but to comply,” he shared with CBC Toronto.
This incident was not an isolated case for Vashista, as he claimed that BLS repeatedly pressured him to pay for unnecessary services. Similar experiences were reported by various individuals who felt compelled to pay extra charges at BLS, believing it was crucial for their travel to India or legal status in Canada.
Former employees from a BLS branch disclosed that the company encouraged staff to maximize charges and exploit minor errors in forms or photos to sell additional services or expedite application processing.
One former supervisor admitted, “I was fully aware that we were in the wrong… and unfairly charging the clients.”
BLS Emphasizes ‘Service Excellence’ Reputation
BLS operates nationwide, offering services such as passport renewal, police record checks, and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards, acting as lifelong visas.
Public platforms like Facebook, Reddit, and online petitions have been flooded with complaints from dissatisfied BLS clients. The Better Business Bureau even awarded the company an “F” rating.
Responding to concerns raised by CBC Toronto regarding the complaints, BLS defended its long-standing reputation for transparency, compliance, and service excellence.
A line forming outside the BLS Brampton location. Former clients and ex-staff members depicted a culture of imposing extra charges and altering application standards. (Saloni Bhugra/CBC)
BLS Communications Manager Pooja Arora affirmed, “We are fully committed to adhering to the standards set by the governing bodies we collaborate with. When issues are raised, we conduct thorough investigations and implement necessary improvements.”
The Consulate General of India in Toronto reiterated its dedication to providing efficient service and clarified that BLS International was chosen through a competitive selection process.
Client Recounts Experience of ‘Legalized Plunder’
A client visiting the Mississauga branch in April detailed encountering obstacles with his OCI application, facing demands for additional documents not listed on the BLS website and facing issues with photos and forms.
To protect his identity, the client shared his account with CBC Toronto, expressing concerns about potential repercussions from BLS during future interactions.
In a subsequent complaint to the company, he alleged that staff resorted to coercive tactics to extract extra fees, insulted his wife, and threatened to blacklist him for requesting an itemized receipt before payment.
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