Indian Passport

Walkthrough of my experience:

 • Generated FedEx tracking labels from VFS site itself.

 • Posted the package to VFS on Nov 24th 2020

 • ICAC @ Washington DC received it on 27th 9:30am EST

 • Called VFS folks on Nov 30th as I didn't get any ACK from them. They said that they will open any package only after 3 days due to COVID. But they confirmed that the package is received and it is "Under Review" over the phone.

 • On Dec 2nd, I got an automated email from VFS saying - Application is "Under Review" and asked me to track the Status at
https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/track-application using Govt Reference Number and Date of Birth - However I got "Invalid Inputs" on the VFS tracker.

 • Instead of using VFS tracker, use Indian Embassy tracker at : https://portal4.passportindia.gov.in/Online/index.html ; It's very reliable and up-to-date.

 • On Dec 2nd - Indian Embassy tracker reflected saying my application is Accepted and it is Under Review.

 • On Dec 3rd, morning at 10 AM I got a call from Indian Embassy as they had some questions around my Full name. I clarified them and few minutes later Indian Embassy tracker showed - Print Initiated for my new passport ; There is also a File No. added to the application (you can see this if you login to the Indian Embassy website)

 • On Dec 3rd in the afternoon 3 PM, Status changed to : "Passport has been printed".

 • On Dec 3rd midnight, I got an email with subject - "Initiation of Police Verification Request(s) for your Passport Application File….." ; Local police man went to my home in India and asked for Aadhar card. Once that verification was done, he mentioned that he will provide all the details back to Embassy as soon as possible.

 • On Dec 4th morning, the status on Indian Embassy tracker said - "Passport has been handed over by the Embassy/Consulate to the OSP executive for further dispatch to the applicant." ----- Still got "Invalid Inputs" on the VFS tracker (lol; may be I am really giving wrong inputs - I tried Govt-Ref number (20-xxxx), VFS Ref Nunber (USAxxxx) with DoB, nothing works ; no clue why, please correct me if I am obviously giving wrong inputs)

 • Called VFS helpline on Dec 7th evening as I did not get any update from them and I want to know when they will ship the passport back -- They mentioned that I just need to "wait" after holding on the line for 25 minutes.

 • I never got the Tracking working on the VFS site : https://www.vfsvisaonline.com/Global-PassportTracking/ :-(

I am facing bunch of issues with VFS . I have made payment for roundtrip but am not able to download the courier label , I get the following error : " Failed to download courier label,Please try again later " .

I am not able to contact VFS , website is down : https://services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/
please contact us https://services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/contact-us

Any why to contact them or any other suggestion?

My application reached VFS NY office on Nov 17th. I used VFS courier label and FedEx shows delivered. Till date no acknowledgement from VFS. The online tracking shows 'invalid input'. Contacted VFS customer care through email, but even after more than a week, no updates. Anyone else experiencing these issues?

I renewed my passport at Atlanta Consulate with VFS. The entire process for a normal (not tatkal) process took less than two weeks. VFS was very prompt in sending me email updates at every step along the way. Starting from receipt and screening of the documents to updates happening at the consulate, I was kept informed. I was pleased to also learn that the local police officers in India were also very helpful and quick about the verification. The entire process was very smooth and I had my passport on the11th day after my application reached them. VFS has recently taken over the consular services and they made the overall experience very pleasant.

HI

I am applying for passport renewal through the new VFS service and running into challenges. They have not responded to my emails. Has anyone else encountered this issues

1. VFS Global website: once you login and complete the widget, you get to a page for "Add New Customer". The first field specifically asks for "Govt Reference Number". What is this reference number? Where do I find it?

Thanks in advance

Hi,
I submitted an application to renew my minor son's passport. It was renewed once in SFO. But this time, I got an email today indicating that Police verification has been initiated for the indian address. We have been living in the US for the past seven years, and I have given my house in the indian address for Rent.

Not sure, what the verification is for? There is no change in address either Indian or US from the previous passport. This is totally confusing.
Anyone who have gone through this experience? What can I expect from here on?

Regards

I applied for passport renewal in NY jurisdiction under normal processing 2 weeks back. Initially, I was happy to get the quick updates from VFS. But, the status hasn’t changed in last 2 weeks after my passport was forwarded by VFS to the embassy.

Following is my status -

VFS Acknowledgements -
Nov 11 - We have ‘Received’ your Application and your Application is now ‘Under Process’ at ICAC in Consulate General of India, NY. Your reference number is xxxxxxxxx

Nov 13 - Your Application has been ‘Processed’ at the ICAC and ‘In Transit’ to the Embassy for decision making. Reference number: xxxxxxxxxx

Latest Update on VFS Portal on Nov 13 - Your application form has been forwarded to the Embassy

Latest Update on Indian embassy portal as of Nov 13 - Your Application form has been submitted

I haven’t received any updates on my passport application in last 12 days. Even both VFS portal and Indian Embassy portal are showing the same status. 2 of my friends applied for the renewal in Houston jurisdiction 1 week after me and their passport is already printed and dispatched.

Has anyone faced a similar issue ? What should I do in this case? I am worried thinking what if my docs have been misplaced.

Updates As of Jan 12 2021
------------------------------------
12/28 - Application has been received by the Embassy and application under review
1/8 - Passport has been printed
1/12 - Passport has been handed over to OSP for dispatch

Hi Everyone,

My application to renew passport is delivered to VFS NY on 17-Nov. I haven't received any ack so far and it was not able to track it on VFS website may be due to it's not ack. I tried all means to contact with them and every time they ask same information in different ways and haven't provided any update/ack abt the application. It keeps worrying me if they had misplaced the application.

Any one got the ack or any update for the passport renewal applications that were received by VFS NY on or after 17-Nov? Thanks and Appreciate your response.

Update (11/25 @10PM) : I haven't received ack email. On VFS Tracking website it's now changed to "You application is under process at the VFS Centre" from "Invalid Inputs". I'm not sure whether this could be considered as ack. Please check status for any updates on your applications.

Update (12/01 @9:45AM): Status on VFS Tracking website is changed to "Your application has been forwarded to the Embassy". First time received an email from VFS stating the same. Seeing some light at the end of tunnel. Hope Embassy will act swiftly.

Update (12/03): On Govt Website status is changed to "Passport application is under review at Indian Embassy/Consulate."

Update(12/05): Received an email "Initiation of Police Verification Request"

Update(12/05): On Govt Website status is changed to "Print has been initiated for passport."

Update(12/11): On Govt Website statue changed to "Passport is printed and will be delivered shortly."

Update(12/11) : Passport has been handed over by the Embassy/Consulate to the OSP executive for further dispatch to the applicant.

Update(12/12 @1:00 ET): Received email from VFS "Application has been reviewed by the Consulate/Embassy name and is {ready for collection at the ICAC or will be dispatched within 24 business hours }."

Update(12/12 @2:30 ET): Received email from VFS "We have ‘Received’ your Application. Your document is dispatched via courier.
Your Tracking ID is 20- YYYY YYYY XX. However fedex website is not showing any status.

Update(12/15 @1:30 ET): Received New and Punched Old Passport. It took 28 days (2 weeks application is quarantined in VFS NY office)

on VFS global tracking site- https://www.vfsvisaonline.com/Global-PassportTracking/
Nov 9th - Package shipped to VFS center
Nov 11th 9:00am - Fedex delivered the package to VFS center
Nov 12th 3:00 PM- Received email from VFS stating that package is recieved and under process at VFS ICAC center.
Nov 16th 9:25am - Your Application has been ‘Processed’ at the ICAC and ‘In Transit’ to the Embassy for decision making.
Nov 16th 10.30 am - Your application has been forwarded to the Embassy

check status on Govt of india website- https://portal4.passportindia.gov.in/Online/index.html
Nov 16th 11:00am - We received you passport application and fee details. The same is under process at embassy/consulate
Nov 18th 12:00PM- Print initiated
Nov 18th 4:00 PM- Print completed
Nov 18th 11:40PM- Automated email triggered for police verification in India.
Nov19th 2:30 PM - Printed completed & will be delivered shortly.
Nov 19th 3:30 PM- Passport has been handed over by the Embassy/Consulate to the OSP executive for further dispatch to the applicant.

Back to VFS global tracking site.
Nov19th 4:50PM - Your application has been dispatched from Embassy
Nov 20th 9:30- VFS received application from Embassy.
Nov 20th 11 am- Application shipped via fedex.

Nov 23rd 202 1:40 PM -received passport.

VFS Global Notifications

**** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** *
//Initial acknowledgement email from VFS when they receive your package//

Dear Applicant,

We have ‘Received’ your Application and your Application is now ‘Under Process’ at ICAC in Consulate General of India, NY.
Your reference number is XX- YYYY YYYY XX

Please note this is an auto - generated email. Kindly do not reply to this email.

Regards,

VFS Global

**** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** ****
//Once your application is verified and has all required documents correct, then the application is forwarded to Indian consulate.//

Date: xx-xx-2020
Tracking ID is: XX- YYYY YYYY YYYY

Dear Applicant,

Your Application has been ‘Processed’ at the ICAC and ‘In Transit’ to the Embassy for decision making.
As soon as ICAC receives an update, the status on the ‘Track and Trace’ page will be revised accordingly. To ‘Track and Trace’ please visit: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/track-application and use your tracking ID to get the updated status of your application.

Please note this is an auto - generated email. Kindly do not reply to this email.

Regards,

VFS Global
**** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **

//Once the passport is printed by consulate, they will send it back to VFS. After VFS receives the passport from consulate, they ship it to applicant.//

Dear YYYY ,

We have ‘Received’ your Application. Your document is dispatched via courier.
Your Tracking ID is XX- YYYY YYYY X
To ‘Track and Trace’ please visit: http://www.Fedex.com and use the courier tracking ID to get the updated status of your application.

Please note this is an auto - generated email. Kindly do not reply to this email.

Regards,

VFS Global

Hello Everyone ,

I wrote the previous post about VFS website application tracking. There are so many people in the same boat .

I have received an email from the VFS today that they are processing my application .

Following is the timeline ,
VFS Center and Consulate - San Francisco

Nov13 - Fed EX shipped
Nov 15 - Reached VFS office at San Francisco (Update from FedEX)

No update from VFS for 5 days . Today I received the acknowledgement .

During the timeframe ,I just wrote to the VFS enquiry team once . here is the link ,
"https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/contact-us ".

But I dont think that did anything to process . So I would ask everyone to wait atleast 5 -7 days .

Also , In order to track we need to use the Government APN no that starts with 20-

Now the status says "Your application is under process at the VFS Centre"

Thanks Again for the community .