Issues with Indian Passport renewal via VFS Global

sagar_shah · November 24, 2020, 10:07pm

I sent my application on Nov 21 (Saturday) and it reached on Nov 23 morning. I got confirmation on Nov 24. This is for Atlanta Consulate.

Viva · November 25, 2020, 2:58am

Hi , Do we need to arrange for passport pickup if we are using any other courier service like UPS other than VFS offered Fedex service?.. Appreciate your reply if anyone has experience in using UPS or other courier for passport renewal with VFS. Thanks

Akath · November 25, 2020, 3:20am

Finally received my passport today. Police verification was initiated last week but nobody has shown up at my parent’s house yet.

Timeline (applied under standard renewal to NY VFS/embassy):

Documents sent: Nov 9
Fedex delivery: Nov 10
“Received” email from VFS: Nov 11
“Transit to embassy” email from VFS: Nov 18
Govt website status updated to “Passport has been printed.”: Nov 19
Email received for police verification initiation: Nov 19
Govt website status updated to “Passport has been printed and will be delivered shortly.”: Nov 19
Govt website status updated to “Passport has been handed over by embassy/consulate to the OSP executive for further dispatch”: Nov 20
“Dispatched via courier” email from VFS: Nov 23
Received passport: Nov 24

Tocktick · November 25, 2020, 6:35am

Hello Akath - that’s pretty quick! Which consulate did you send it to?

maheshkadlucky · November 25, 2020, 2:58pm

I am in the USA-Virginia and want to Renew my Indian passport as it expires in June 2021(and L1 Visa in Apr 2021).

I am facing below issues while entering ‘Place of Birth’ and ‘State’:
Applicant’s Place of Birth(‘Vill/City/Town’, State) length can not be more than 36 characters.

Place of Birth on Current passport is 'BELGAON TARHALE IGATPURI" and
State is ‘MAHARASHTRA’.

The combination of 'Place of Birth and State" is ‘BELGAON TARHALE IGATPURI, MAHARASHTRA’, which is 37 characters in total.

I have already created the application on 11th Nov 2020(by removing the last letter ‘I’ in IGATPURI) and Got the Application Reference Number(ARN ). The fee ($92+$30(FedEx courier) = $122) is not paid yet.

I have the following questions:

1. Is this possible to correct the Place of Birth in the Current Application ?
2. Should I create a new application i.e. new ARN (Current ARN created on 11th Nov)
3. How to enter the correct Place of Birth in a new application? As the website is not allowing 37 characters.
4. Tatkal - What are the charges for Tatkal service and Within How many days can I get a renewed passport as I need to file my L1 extension ?
5. I have called the VFS helpline number (1800 320 9625 - 5 min free later $2.5/min) and they asked me to email on info.ihcusa@vfshelpline.com. I emailed on Mon, Nov 23, 10:51 AM EST. It’s been two days and I haven’t received any reply. How many days VFS takes to reply?

Please help me to proceed ahead.

PPrenewal · November 25, 2020, 3:04pm

I have used UPS, you can send return label and envelope.

Duvvuri · November 25, 2020, 3:08pm

Hello @thanmayisri - Did you receive an acknowledgment after you sent the Notarized Annexure D ?Thanks!

Viva · November 25, 2020, 3:17pm

Thank you. I did send them the return label and envelope. Do we need to call UPS and schedule a pick up once the passport/documents are ready?.. Or will VFS arrange for UPS pickup of the package?.. VFS website says we need to arrange for pickup. Not sure how it works. My new passport is printed and returned to vfs by embassy and it is with them for couple of days now. Thanks

PPrenewal · November 25, 2020, 3:27pm

My application is not at that stage yet, I will update you when I know more.

But in my experience, usually they ship them out with out us initiating a pickup.

maheshkadlucky · November 25, 2020, 3:46pm

If passport is expiring, you should be eligible. Not sure what VFS is doing.

Change of appearance is normal for person renewing after 10 year. It should be eligible for Tatkal.

Do you know the charges for Tatkal ?

sbk9192 · November 25, 2020, 4:25pm

what is their phone number

maheshkadlucky · November 25, 2020, 4:48pm

@sbk9192
VFS helpline number (1800 320 9625 - 5 min free later $2.48/min) and email info.ihcusa@vfshelpline.com

h_v · November 25, 2020, 4:49pm

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/contact-us

thanmayisri · November 25, 2020, 5:53pm

no updated yet. waiting for that

Akath · November 25, 2020, 6:17pm

I sent it to NY VFS/embassy. I think I got lucky since I sent it on the first weekday when they started their service, but that’s just my guess.

Viva · November 25, 2020, 9:07pm

Thanks. I have raised a ticket with VFS and will let you know if they respond.

addpt008 · November 25, 2020, 11:43pm

Finally Received the Passport and Police Verification going on , Police went to home Today for verification asked for Copy of application form, 2 photo and Leaving certificate.

PPrenewal · November 26, 2020, 12:43am

My application was delivered to NY center on 11/17 no acknowledgement yet, can’t track online.
Sent via UPS received by OBARA, with long weekend its gonna be a frustrating wait.

Shark2020 · November 26, 2020, 4:56am

They will ship it through ups once it’s ready. No need to schedule pickup. Takes a day or two to ship after passport is printed.

gobu · November 26, 2020, 4:59am

Thanks @IndianInUsa. Is this the case for Kids passport renewal also?