Indian Passport

My passport renewal application status reads as passport is dispatched via courier on the vfs global site .i.had received an email with the same message on Feb 4rth 2021 afternoon. BUT I havnt received my passport yet. Fedex site says the shipper has prepared the package however hasn't delivered to fedex. But vfs says passport dispatched..What does this mean? Am worried please someone help

Hi - I just finished paying for my passport renewal to VFS Global and I selected shipping via VFS.

After completion, I went to download my courier labels and when I check the downloaded label its only 1 way to VFS from my address. I am confused as to where is my return label?

Can someone please help?

I applied for my passport renewal in tatkal to SF consulate (through VFS).

7th Jan: Got confirmation next day from VFS that it is received.
8th Jan: 1 day later, they process and said in transit to Indian consulate.
9th Jan: Application has reached consulate for processing.

Since then its been long silence, soon it is going to be 30 days. I tried calling VFS customer care- horrible people working there - don't provide real update just say it will be updated soon wait for 24/48 hrs.

I tried calling Indian consulate at an extension where passpost status can be checked - it just goes to voice mail.

I am now clueless on what to do next.

Has anyone been in same state? what are my options to track?

Appreciate your inputs.

I am writing my experience in getting my 5 y/o son's passport renewed. I had to go through a lot of hassle with VFS and not at all smooth. Hope this post can help someone save their precious time which VFS never considers (at least in my case).

11/22/2020 - Old passport and required documents posted to VFS.
12/02/2020 - Received acknowledgement from VFS asking for below additional documents which WERE NOT MENTIONED in the checklist (not sure if its updated now).
       1. Child's birth certificate photo copy
       2. Notarized Annexure D
       3. Return label - Yes, I purchased Fedex labels from their site and sent in the initial courier. Thought they over looked, so sent it again.
12/08/2020 - Posted the updated documents to VFS.
No update for 2 weeks. I sent couple of queries via emails and phone calls. They took action only after I provided them the tracking number of the above sent package.

12/22/2020 - Got an update from VFS stating that they are not accepting FEDEX return label and asked me to send the UPS one. I didn't understand why they do not accept the label that was purchased from their website!! I thought no point arguing with them and decided to send the UPS return label.
12/24/2020 - Sent the UPS return label to VFS.

01/04/2021 - We have received your application and is now Under Process at ICAC in San Francisco.
01/05/2021 - Application has been processed at the VFS and currently In-Transit to the embassy.

--------------- Tracking on GOV website - https://portal4.passportindia.gov.in/Online/index.html ----------

01/05/2021 - Received the application at the embassy.
01/06/2021 - The application is under review.
01/22/2021 - Print has been initiated for the passport. (No police verification email. I guess if there is no address change, for minors atleast, there is no police verification.)
01/25/2021 - Passport is printed and will be delivered shortly.

The process at the embassy was relatively smooth. Took around 2 - 3 weeks which is expected.

--------------- Tracking with the VFS ------------------------

Again the nightmare started!!

01/28/2021 - Received an email from VFS. our Application has been reviewed by the Embassy of India/ Consulate General of India & will be dispatched within 24 – 48 business hours provided you had purchased or sent the return label.

From then, no update for a week! I didn't understand why they need a week to dispatch the passport. Yes, I understand due to COVID, there could be some delays, but a week to dispatch the passport from the embassy?

I started to become curious and called the VFS customer care (I know they charge $2.5/min, but my situation is such, please look at the disclaimer below). Such a pathetic service, they keep repeating same statements that were in their website and tracking info. Why does anyone spend money to listen to the information that is already available? I was expecting them to either expedite the process or let me know if there is any problem, but none.

02/03/2021 - Finally the status on their tracking website changed to "Counter Delivery". I thought that means they will dispatch. Again, even after 2 days, I didn't see any update on my UPS tracking number. So again I called the VFS customer care, to my shock they said, the passport is ready to be picked up and I NEED TO CALL UPS AND REQUEST THEM TO PICK UP THE PASSPORT. I thought that was not the case for all other cases, again I decided not to argue, I was drained and want my passport back anyhow. So I called UPS and request for a pickup (I need to pay the pickup charges as well!).

But the point is, there was no notification from VFS asking me to request for the pickup. If I had not followed up, would it have been lying with them forever or until they take their own sweet time to respond?

02/05/2021 - The passport has been picked up by the UPS.
02/06/2021 - I received the old and new passport.

Disclaimer: I needed the passport to be renewed as I need it for my visa processing to a foriegn country as my current visa in USA is getting expired in May/2021. The only mistake I did is submitting the application in "Normal". I had renewed my passport in 2017 with CKGS in "Normal" and it was very smooth, got my passport in 3 weeks. With that experience and with COVID around, back in November, I thought I would get it in 1.5 months, but it took me 2.5 months with multiple follow ups(not sure how long would it have taken if I had not followed up at multiple stages with VFS).
Lesson learnt, I will always go with Tatkal in future for the passport renewals.

I applied for Passport renewal at VFS SFO and I don't have any updates apart from below email. Who else is in same boat?

Fedex document - 01/21/2021
Delivery exception Adult recipient unavailable- 01/22/2021
Delivered Left at front door. Package delivered to recipient address - release authorized - 01/22/2021
Received email from VFS - 01/25/2021

Dear Customer,

your package has been received at the VFS application Centre. Our current processing times are longer than usual. Your application will be reviewed with 48-72 business hours. You are requested to track the status of your application after 2-3 business days.

Dropped off packet at FedEx New York on 1/23/2021 (Saturday).
FedEx delivered packet to VFS New York on 1/15/2021 (Monday).
Received email from "[email protected]" on 1/26/2021 (Tuesday) around 11 AM saying we have received your packet..but due to huge volume of applications your processing maybe delayed.

received email/text/status on VFS site that application was sent to Consulate on 1/26/21 evening.
checked status on india govt. site on 1/27/21 - said application received and processing.
checked status on india govt. site on 1/28/21 - said passport is approved or something.
checked status on india govt. site on 1/29/21 - said passport is being printed.
checked status on india govt. site on 1/30/21 - said officer sent out passport or something.

vfs sent text on 2/3/21 saying your document will be dispatched using the label you sent.
checked fedex tracking number on 2/4/21 - said still waiting to be picked up.
checked fedex tracking number on 2/5/21- said will be delivered by end of day 2/5/21. Received 10 years passport physical copy at home (with a 10 yr validity) at 4.07 PM from Fedex.

Have to figure out the i-94 extension part now.

01/15/2021 - Package delivered to VFS NY.

01/25/2021-We have ‘Received’ your Application and your application is now ‘Under Process’ at New York

01/25/2021-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.

Seems they realized it is tatkal after the envelope opening so it moved fast to the embassy.

01/27/2021- Passport printed

01/28/2021- Your document (s) is dispatched using the return label purchased or sent by you.

SNOWSTORM IN NY SO PACKAGE WAS NOT DISPATCHED on 02/01

Dispatched on 02/03

02/04/2021 - Received passport

Hi, I lost my Indian passport and applied for the reissue but fortunately found it & informed Indian Consulate, New York. Through PRAMIT, I tried to withdraw my application and wanted to know from them if I can use my found passport for travelling. PRAMIT replied that I should send them found passport which I did and they received also. VFS tracking shows my application has been sent to CGI, New York. PRAMIT has typical reply showing it under process. Is there any method that I can know from CGI, New York as to when I will get my passport. I have urgency visiting India within a week due to marriage in family. Any effective email address or any direct phone number of CGI, New York I can have.

I have some good experience with little bit delay to share with all people here -

-> Tracking: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/track-application

1/12/2021 Sent Passport Package by Fedex
1/13/2021 Received Email from VFS for Package receipt
1/15/2021 ‘Received’ and ‘Under Process’ at Houston
1/20/2021 ‘Processed’ at the VFS, ‘In-Transit‘ to the Embassy
1/21/2021 Your application has reached the Embassy
1/26/2021 Sent an email to VFS for Status - [email protected] & [email protected] but they Responded on Jan 30th (After Embassy responded)
1/29/2021 Your application has been dispatched from Embassy
2/1/2021 Your application has been dispatched via courier
2/2/2021 Received Passport by Fedex (However, No tracking updated with the Shipping Label and it is just delivered)

-> Tracking: https://portal4.passportindia.gov.in/Online/index.html

1/23/2021 Passport application is under review at Indian Embassy/Consulate
1/24/2021 Print has been initiated for passport.
1/27/2021 Sent email to Indian Embassy Houston - [email protected]
1/28/2021 Received Response from Embassy - "You will get it in coming week"
1/29/2021 Passport has been Printed (It took 5-6 days to update from Print Initiated)
1/29/2021 Passport is printed and will be delivered shortly.
1/29/2021 Passport has been handed over by the Embassy/Consulate to the OSP executive for further dispatch to the applicant.

Few Points -
1. SMS service is not so useful, only received 2 text (For receiving the application and for Dispatching the Passport)
2. Sometimes Print Initiated takes 4-5 hours only but in my case it took 5-6 days so I sent email to Embassy and they responded in a day as well
3. I have never tried to call VFS since my status was keep updating within expected time
4. I sent the Return Envelope just in case but new Passport came in diff envelope. So the return Envelope is not required to sent but Fedex people confused me while dropping the application.

Overall, it was good Experience with proper documents without any Hassle. If anybody has questions regarding documents, I can try to help.

VFS:

01/11/2021 - Shipped via FedEx.
01/13/2021 - Delivered - Washington, DC
01/21/2021 - We have ‘Received’ your Application and your application is now ‘Under Process’ at VFS India Consular Application Centre.
01/22/2021 - 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.
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Passport Seva site:

Current status as of 02/02/2021 - Passport application is under review at Indian Embassy/Consulate.

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Will update as the status changes. Thanks!

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