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Passport Renewal at SFO
When checking my application at granular level I am getting this status "Grant On Hold Send to EO". Does any one know what it means? It has been with htis status for over a month now.
All Replies (6)
Passport Renewal at SFO | Normal
My passport application for renewal is received by VFS on 2nd February and sent to Embassy on 6th February. Since then no updates, granular updates are blank.
What could be the reason or is this a normal timeline for a renewal ?

Thanks everyone!
All Replies (5)
Passport Renewal/Tatkal/SFO
Documents sent to VFS (VFS UPS Label)- 02/05/2024
Documents received by VFS (According to UPS Tracking)- 02/07/2024
Receipt confirmation email sent by VFS- 02/10/2024 (They don’t touch received packages for a full 48 hours due to COVID policy. Details posted on their website)

All updates from here on were pulled from VFS and Passport websites using ARN.
Documents sent to the embassy by VFS for review and processing- 02/12/2024
Passport printing initiated- 02/13/2024
Printed and will be delivered shortly- 02/14/2024

Email and texts received for the next updates
VFS return UPS label generated- 12/15/2024
New and old passports received- 12/16/2024

Total processing time- 7 business days
Total time from shipping to receiving- 12 days
All Replies (0)
Tatkal - Indian Passport Renewal experience - SFO
1) Old Passport shipped out: 01/22/2024
2) Received by VFSGlobal: 01/24/2024
3) VFSGlobal sits on the application due to COVID (yes, its still a policy at SFO to make all packages wait for 48 hours, confirmed by their team on twitter)
4) VFS sends the application to SFO consulate: 01/26/2024

A full work week has passed by now, since shipping.

5) Application received by Consulate: 01/29/2024 (They DON'T communicate with you. All statuses were pulled from the website, they DON'T send ANY updates!).
6) Status started changing on consulate's website: 01/30/2024
7) Passport Received: 02/06/2024 (2nd Feb 2024)

Total days from shipment out to incoming delivery: 15 days. This was in Tatkal!!

Couple of pointers:
1) I paid for VFH Courier both ways.
2) I sent a physical photo, did NOT use their photo service.
3) Recieved an email from passport services India, that police verification has been initiated. No call in India yet.
4) The below json can be seen by:
        a. Click on 'Track Status' on the consulate website: https://portal4.passportindia.gov.in/Online/index.html
        b. Fill inthe ARN, DOB and captcha, BUT dont click "Track Application Status" yet.
        c. Right click on the "Track Application Status" button and click on 'Inspect'. F12 will also work
        d. Now click on the "Track Application Status". This will result in a request and response.
        e. Goto 'Network' tab in the 'Inspect' window.
        f. You will see an object called 'trackStatusForFileNoNew', expand the object.
        g. Now go to the 'Response' table, not the Preview tab.
        h. In the Response, find element "StatusId", expand it to find the detailed json status.
5) Application itself was a bit confusing. Especially the affidavits. This site helped a lot: https://www.***.com/renew-indian-passport-usa/#registration-steps
6) "Change of Appearance" affidavit is REQUIRED. I sent mine saying appearance and signature did NOT change. I reasoned with myself that they are looking for drastic, major change.
7) If, for any reason, you need a refund, VFS will retain $50 as 'customer service fee'. Someone's definitely getting rich on us!! :)

Rest of the updates as pulled from the tracking status on the website are below:

[
    {
        "EVENT_DESC": "QC Accepted and Dispatch Initiated: Passport No. <new passport number> of type Ordinary-Normal",
        "EMP_ACTION": "Dispatch Initiated",
        "STATUS_TRACKING_PK": "<status pk>",
        "LAST_MODIFIED_DATE": "2024-02-03T00:00:00",
        "STATUS_DESC": "Dispatch Initiated",
        "STATUS_ID_FK": 334,
        "FILE_NO": "<new passport file number>"
    },
    {
        "EVENT_DESC": "Printed: Passport No. <new passport number> of type Ordinary-Normal",
        "EMP_ACTION": "Printed",
        "STATUS_TRACKING_PK": "<status pk>",
        "LAST_MODIFIED_DATE": "2024-02-02T00:00:00",
        "STATUS_DESC": "Printed",
        "STATUS_ID_FK": 103,
        "FILE_NO": "<new passport file number>"
    },
    {
        "EVENT_DESC": null,
        "EMP_ACTION": "Print Initiated",
        "STATUS_TRACKING_PK": "<status pk>",
        "LAST_MODIFIED_DATE": "2024-01-30T00:00:00",
        "STATUS_DESC": "Print Initiated",
        "STATUS_ID_FK": 364,
        "FILE_NO": "<new passport file number>"
    },
    {
        "EVENT_DESC": "",
        "EMP_ACTION": "Print and PV Intiated",
        "STATUS_TRACKING_PK": "<status pk>",
        "LAST_MODIFIED_DATE": "2024-01-30T00:00:00",
        "STATUS_DESC": "Print and PV Intiated",
        "STATUS_ID_FK": 1156,
        "FILE_NO": "<new passport file number>"
    },
    {
        "EVENT_DESC": "Granting Status Set as 'Clear'",
        "EMP_ACTION": "Clear",
        "STATUS_TRACKING_PK": "<status pk>",
        "LAST_MODIFIED_DATE": "2024-01-30T00:00:00",
        "STATUS_DESC": "Application Granted on post police verification basis",
        "STATUS_ID_FK": 1103,
        "FILE_NO": "<new passport file number>"
    },
    {
        "EVENT_DESC": "",
        "EMP_ACTION": "Sent To Go",
        "STATUS_TRACKING_PK": "<status pk>",
        "LAST_MODIFIED_DATE": "2024-01-30T00:00:00",
        "STATUS_DESC": "Granting Initiated",
        "STATUS_ID_FK": 5099,
        "FILE_NO": "<new passport file number>"
    },
    {
        "EVENT_DESC": null,
        "EMP_ACTION": "Application Form Submitted",
        "STATUS_TRACKING_PK": "<status pk>",
        "LAST_MODIFIED_DATE": "2024-01-30T00:00:00",
        "STATUS_DESC": "Submitted",
        "STATUS_ID_FK": 1,
        "FILE_NO": "<new passport file number>"
    }
]
All Replies (6)
Indian Passport Renewal Timeline - Indian Consulate in Atlanta
Type: Ordinary Passport
Pages: 36-Page
Scheme: Normal
Consulate: Atlanta, GA
Processing Time: 3 days
-----------------------------------------
I renewed my 36-page passport under the Normal scheme. No changes in name or address. I am impressed by the speed and efficiency of the Atlanta Consulate for how swiftly they reviewed and approved the application!

Timeline:
2024-01-08 - Created account on Indian Govt Passport portal and submitted application passport renewal application
2024-01-11 - Created VFS Global account and paid fees including courier (Total fees were around $140)
2024-01-12 - Dropped package with required documents at UPS (1. Documents were arranged in an order mentioned in the checklist, 2. I had sticky notes pasted on my documents indicating their purpose, for example, SN7: US Address Proof - Driving license 3. Used a transparent L-type pocket folder for documents 4. Don't forget to check documents before shipping, I almost missed to fill out information in Annexure E related to length of stay at current address)
2024-01-13 to 01-15 - Long Weekend
-----------------------------------------
2024-01-16 - 2 pm - VFS Global received package
2024-01-17 by 10 am - VFS Global processed application and submitted to consulate for further review
2024-01-17 by 1 pm - Application reached at consulate and under review, received new file number
2024-01-17 by 6 pm- Print has been initiated for passport,
2024-01-18 by 11 am - Passport has been printed,
2024-01-18 by 6 pm - Handed over to outsourced service provider (OSP) executive for further dispatch
2024-01-18 by 11 pm - Received email for initiation of police verification request
2024-01-19 - VFS Global shipped passport, Parent received call for police verification in India
-----------------------------------------
2024-01-23 - Package received with both passports (delayed due to weekend and inclement weather)

Current Status - Passport application is under review at Indian Embassy/Consulate (I believe this is because they are waiting on police verification report)

Total processing time:
Actual processing time: 3 days
From shipping to receiving: 11 days

It was a pleasant surprise to have the application processed within this time-frame and that too without opting for the Tatkal but the Normal scheme.
All Replies (0)
Indian Passport Renewal at Houston
My passport renewal application is at a standstill. Documents were received by Consulate on Jan 12, and it’s still under review. Granular status shows sent to VO on Jan 25 and no update after that. It’s already 3 weeks and I am nervous looking at other folks timeline where even after print initiated takes 10 days to get passport on hand. No police verification yet.

Can anyone guide me on what to do? Did anyone have luck getting in contact with consulate?

Will I be able to walk in to the consulate?

I am really nervous, not sure what to do next?

Can they hold your passport for months?
All Replies (19)
Passport renewal timeline from Houston
Location : Houston Texas

vfs 12/19/2023 Application Sent using UPS.
vfs 12/20/2023 We have ‘Received’ your Application and your application is now ‘Under Process’ at Houston and will be submitted to the Mission for decision making.
vfs 12/21/2023 Your Application has been ‘Processed’ at the VFS India Consular application Centre and currently is ‘In-Transit‘ to the Embassy of India/Consulate General of India for decision making.
vfs 12/21/2023 Your application has reached at the Embassy/Consulate and is currently under review process.
gov 12/21/2023 passport application along with fee details have been received. the same is under processing at the embassy/consulate.
gov 01/10/2024 Your application is under review at Indian embassy/consulate.
gov 01/15/2024- (Morning) Print has been initiated for passport.
gov 01/15/2024- (Evening) Your application is under review at Indian embassy/consulate.
              - Received email for Police verification in India.
gov 01/17/2024 Passport is printed and will be delivered shortly.
gov 01/18/2024 Your passport has been printed and being forwarded to Embassy/Consulate. The Embassy/Consulate will contact you once they receive the passport for dispatch.
gov 01/23/2024 Passport has been handed over by the Embassy/Consulate to the OSP executive for further dispatch to the applicant.
vfs 01/23/2024 Your Application has been reviewed by the Embassy of India/ Consulate General of India & will be dispatched using the courier service you had opted.
vfs 01/24/2024 Your document(s) is dispatched using the return label purchased or sent by you.
     01/25/2024 Received both the passports.
All Replies (5)
Passport Renewal from SFO
Here are my timelines for passport renewal:

"EVENT_DESC": "QC Accepted and Dispatch Initiated: Passport No. XXXXX of type Ordinary-Normal",
                "EMP_ACTION": "Dispatch Initiated",
                "STATUS_TRACKING_PK": 1843163061,
                "LAST_MODIFIED_DATE": "2024-01-23T00:00:00",
                "STATUS_DESC": "Dispatch Initiated",
                "STATUS_ID_FK": 334,
            },
            {
                "EVENT_DESC": "Printed: Passport No. xxxxxx of type Ordinary-Normal",
                "EMP_ACTION": "Printed",
                "STATUS_TRACKING_PK": 1843158919,
                "LAST_MODIFIED_DATE": "2024-01-23T00:00:00",
                "STATUS_DESC": "Printed",
                "STATUS_ID_FK": 103,
            },
            {
                "EVENT_DESC": null,
                "EMP_ACTION": "Print Initiated",
                "STATUS_TRACKING_PK": 1843010715,
                "LAST_MODIFIED_DATE": "2024-01-20T00:00:00",
                "STATUS_DESC": "Print Initiated",
                "STATUS_ID_FK": 364,
            },
            {
                "EVENT_DESC": "Granting Status Set as 'Clear'",
                "EMP_ACTION": "Clear",
                "STATUS_TRACKING_PK": 1843010713,
                "LAST_MODIFIED_DATE": "2024-01-20T00:00:00",
                "STATUS_DESC": "Application Granted on No verification basis",
                "STATUS_ID_FK": 1104,
            },
            {
                "EVENT_DESC": "",
                "EMP_ACTION": "Sent To Go",
                "STATUS_TRACKING_PK": 1842622363,
                "LAST_MODIFIED_DATE": "2024-01-16T00:00:00",
                "STATUS_DESC": "Granting Initiated",
                "STATUS_ID_FK": 5099
            },
            {
                "EVENT_DESC": null,
                "EMP_ACTION": "Application Form Submitted",
                "STATUS_TRACKING_PK": 1842622353,
                "LAST_MODIFIED_DATE": "2024-01-16T00:00:00",
                "STATUS_DESC": "Submitted",
                "STATUS_ID_FK": 1
            }
All Replies (7)
Tatkal Passport reissuance experience at CGI San Francisco - helpful tips, hints!
Hello - sharing my recent experience with renewing my valid passport (about to expire in Jul'24) under Tatkal at CGI San Francisco in case folks find it helpful!

12/20/2023 - I submitted the completed application to VFS via UPS courier.

12/21/2023 - VFS received completed application, email acknowledgement from VFS received.

12/23/2023 - Received email notification asking to upload latest digital photo via VFS website.

12/23/2023 - I uploaded the recent digital photo on VFS website promptly and assumed VFS will update my application - BUT TURNS OUT THEY DID NOT.

01/04/2024 - I called VFS and enquired re: the status of my application. They had not attached my new digital photo to the application. Asked them to escalate the case, and within couple of hours, received notification that my application was now completed, and submitted to the CGI San Francisco.

01/06/2024 - Received notification that Police Verification has been initiated. My father (living in India) contacted the concerned Police Station immediately and shared all the documents with them for speedy approval. However, police verification remained in pending status for 10 days.
All this while - I was checking status daily on the VFS website and calling the VFS number - they did not have any updates and just assured me that 'passport will come soon'.

01/17/2024 - I finally decided to contact the CGI SF directly via email and phone - and surprisingly - they replied promptly within an hour! They confirmed that Pre PV had been initiated on my Tatkal application since no earlier PV report was available. However, they agreed to convert my application to POST PV since I had applied in Tatkaal, and the status has now updated to 'Passport is printed and will be delivered shortly.'. Keeping fingers crossed that I receive it soon.

Kudos to the Consul, Passport at CGI SF for helping expedite my application and responding very promptly via email and phone! They are very helpful and can be reached at [email protected] and *** 415483 6629. I am posting these details because many of the phone numbers on the CGI SF website don't seem to work.

HELPFUL TIP!!!

Another useful thing I found via Reddit was the ability to see detailed tracking status on the Passport Seva website. Note that this option only works on this link: https://portal3.passportindia.gov.in/Online/index.html.

Once you have entered your ARN etc, before clicking on 'Track your Application' button, right click and select 'Inspect' - a detailed screen will open up in your browser. With that screen open, click on 'Track your application' and then navigate to the 'Network' tab in the detailed screen and lookout for a Tracking file - that file has much more detailed status updates with date-stamps vs what is provided on the website. Incredibly useful hack, but I wish Passport Seva Website provided these detailed status updates readily instead of requiring users to hack it like this.
All Replies (1)
Police verification_passport renewal
when police verification was initiated we received an e-mail from passport admin. Do we also receive an e-mail when police verification was completed/cleared? I received my passport but my tracking status changed to Passport application is under review at Indian Embassy/Consulate.
All Replies (0)

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