New PIO Card Application @ CKGS, NY

[subramaniam1986]

Question about Airway bill No in Form

I am applying for my NB baby's PIO card and have following questions:

1. What is the size of the photo required? Is it stamp size or passport size(2'' x 2'')?
2. In the CKGS Order form if you select 'Application for return of documents by Fedex courier service' do we still need to provide Return airway bill no?? or CKGS is going to take care of returning documents to the mentioned address in the form?
3. Can some one please confirm the total amount of PIO card(Just PIO card nothing else) for minor is $220 including $15 for return of documents by fedex service?

Thanks,
Aasha

Hi Aasha,

In your reply, you have mentioned about return airway bill no? can you pls clarify where do you see this column in the order form? I am going to select the 15$ fedex return in the order form and i will be sending the documents myself and send a self addressed envelope. I don't see the AWB bill no column anywhere in the form? Can you pls explain if i am missing anything. Thanks a lot

I will be applying PIO for my 5 week old son

[SriRaj]

NY Processing Center

Hello SriRaj,

Can you also please share processing center location where did you applied for.

Thanks

@Shunty24 - NY Processing center. All the best!!

[shunty24]

Processing Center location

Hello SriRaj,

Can you also please share processing center location where did you applied for.

Thanks

Hi All,

Received my sons PIO yesterday with tracking status updated on time. Below are the dates.

Passport sent by post/courier number 08/02/2014
Your application has been collected from the Embassy/Consulate and is being sorted. Your application will be ready for collection from our Application Centre within one business day. 08/01/2014
Your application has been submitted at The Indian Embassy for further processing. 07/24/2014
Your application is in process. Your tracking id is xxxxxx 07/24/2014
Your application has been received and will be submitted subject to verification. 07/24/2014

Total time is around 2 weeks.

CKGS customer care was helpful in answering all the questions whenever called.

Thanks,
Raj

[Ramandeep Singh Kahlon]

PIO for Minor Experience CKGS san Fransisco

Our timeline:
Application Status Date of Status Remarks
Passport sent by post/courier number 08/11/2014
Your application has been collected from the Embassy/Consulate and is being sorted. Your application will be ready for collection from our Application Centre within one business day. 08/11/2014
Your application has been submitted at The Indian Embassy for further processing. 08/05/2014
Your application is in process. Your tracking id is USASxxxxxx 08/05/2014
Your application has been received and will be submitted subject to verification. 08/05/2014

Just took one week. Waiting to receive it via Fedex

[SriRaj]

Update - PIO Received

Hi All,

Received my sons PIO yesterday with tracking status updated on time. Below are the dates.

Passport sent by post/courier number 08/02/2014
Your application has been collected from the Embassy/Consulate and is being sorted. Your application will be ready for collection from our Application Centre within one business day. 08/01/2014
Your application has been submitted at The Indian Embassy for further processing. 07/24/2014
Your application is in process. Your tracking id is xxxxxx 07/24/2014
Your application has been received and will be submitted subject to verification. 07/24/2014

Total time is around 2 weeks.

CKGS customer care was helpful in answering all the questions whenever called.

Thanks,
Raj

[N_Patel24]

Thanks for the information vandemaatram.

[VandeMaataram]

Vandematram, pls advise on below:
You said u r city was not listed, still u fill out the return form on website and also sent label. How that worked out? Was filled out return form worked out? My city is also not listed on their website.
Thanks,
Nipul☺

I used my own labels. In the return form, I mentioned I was using my own labels and I filled the carrier name and tracking number in the fields and submitted it. No need to enter anything else. It worked out good.

[VandeMaataram]

Regarding to Renunciation certificate question or similar to PIO service questions:
1: Did any one include $15 fee ( item H of CKGS order form)? To me it is redundant
fee, it shouldn't be there if we are sending return shipping label or envelop? Any suggestions? 
2: Is it ok to send regular envelop wih return shipping label pasted on it or fedex or UPS envelope is needed?

1. If you are sending your own envelope with return shipping label, $15 in item-H is not required. It it optional for those who want to use CHGS return service.
2. Not sure. I used FedEx envelope. I guess you can use any envelope as long as it has a valid return shipping label. Make sure tracking services are available and you use a think envelope to safeguard the contents.

[N_Patel24]

Vandematram, pls advise on below:
You said u r city was not listed, still u fill out the return form on website and also sent label. How that worked out? Was filled out return form worked out? My city is also not listed on their website.
Thanks,
Nipul☺

[N_Patel24]

CKGSAC, NY_ Renunciation certificate.

Regarding to Renunciation certificate question or similar to PIO service questions:
1: Did any one include $15 fee ( item H of CKGS order form)? To me it is redundant
fee, it shouldn't be there if we are sending return shipping label or envelop? Any suggestions? 
2: Is it ok to send regular envelop wih return shipping label pasted on it or fedex or UPS envelope is needed?

[N_Patel24]

Renunciation certificate query

[VandeMaataram]

Hello,

Can you please confirm which all Application Pages needs to be Signed by parents and Notarized for "PIO-Minor" application.

Thanks.

> Please check bullet-2 in the first post in this thread for documents to be notarized.
> All forms mention where parents have to sign.
> On the order form, it is enough if father signs, all other forms both parents must sign.

[VandeMaataram]

Update!!!

I received my child's PIO today. It was a smooth process. CKGS promptly sent me an email with the tracking number and updated online status in a timely manner.

07/21/2014 - Passport sent by post/courier number
07/18/2014 - Your application has been collected from the Embassy/Consulate and is being sorted. Your application will be ready for collection from our Application Centre within one business day.
07/10/2014 - Your application has been submitted at The Indian Embassy for further processing.
07/10/2014 - Your application is in process. Your tracking id is USANxxxxxxxx.
07/10/2014 - Your application has been received and will be submitted subject to verification.

Application was received by CKGS on 7/8 and they mailed it back on 7/21. Given the condition they were in a few weeks back, they have done a great job!

[Iceman]

Hello,

Can you please confirm which all Application Pages needs to be Signed by parents and Notarized for "PIO-Minor" application.

Thanks.

[SriRaj]

I though my experience may be helpful to some in their process. All CKGS status update showed up when it happened. Email was sent to me with update for payment receipt confirmation, and when it was processed at the embassy.

Applicants:US citizen spouse + US citizen minor (same tracking number for both)
Application received at the CKGS NY center on 7/14/2014
Application sent to embassy on 7/ 15/2014
Application processed 7/21/2014
PIO card received at home 7/23/2014

Other notes:
Sent both applications in the same package via USPS
Followed exactly the required documents instructions on CKGS website for new PIO.
Notarized documents: Third page of minor's application (both application), Marriage license, Letter stating marriage status.
(I had the above documents notarized for the second set/copy of the application as well.)
Pasted photo on each application.

@navidad - Thanks for the updates. Good to have an idea about the processing time in NY. Looks like it took less than 10 business days!! I have not received any updates so far on my application. Documents reached CKGS NY on 22nd 10am. Will keep updated.

-Raj

- - - Updated - - -

I applied for PIO for my daughter @ San Francisco. Received the passport & PIO card today. Just 7 days!

@jsk11 - Thanks jsk11. Hopefully everybody gets their PIO without delays

-Raj