BLS International has been appointed by the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India to facilitate passport processing and provide Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) services to the Indian community residing in Canada. Unfortunately, numerous individuals have encountered significant challenges with the way these services are being administered.

One of the most pressing issues is the routine pressure exerted on applicants to purchase a "Premium Lounge Service" for $95.24. This fee is seen by many as excessively high, especially among students and recent graduates who are already navigating financial constraints. Those who opt not to avail themselves of this premium service often find their applications returned, frequently under questionable justifications of errors that are often non-existent. Additionally, applicants frequently endure lengthy wait times, often stretching to several hours, only to be informed that their meticulously completed applications cannot be processed without incurring additional fees.

The appointment scheduling process has also proven to be a source of frustration. Many applicants report difficulty in finding available slots for months on end unless they are willing to pay for the premium service, which claims to provide next-day appointments. Some individuals have taken the drastic step of arriving as early as 4 a.m. to secure a slot, only to be turned away after enduring prolonged waits due to alleged unavailability of services. Reports have surfaced indicating that staff members frequently identify trivial or even fabricated mistakes that delay the process, compelling applicants to either endure weeks of waiting for a subsequent appointment or to pay the premium fee for expedited processing.

I have personally experienced these issues on two separate occasions, being turned away under claims of missing information that, according to the Passport Seva guidelines, was not even required. I am aware of at least 30 others who have faced similar ordeals, indicating a systemic issue that demands urgent intervention.

We are calling for transparency, fairness, and a marked improvement in the efficiency of services provided by BLS International. This petition seeks to urge External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the operational practices of this organization and to consider removing their authorization to provide services on behalf of the Indian government.

If you or anyone in your network has encountered similar difficulties with BLS International, we strongly encourage you to join us in this important initiative. Please share this petition across social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and X.com to help shed light on these unprofessional practices.

Let’s unite for change. Please sign this petition to demand accountability and advocate for the removal of BLS International from serving our vibrant community!