PIO Card

Applied for PIO for the family including a child and received PIO within 3 weeks (in spite of Thanksgiving holidays). The process was quick and it was good experience. For a minor issue, Team Manager has taken initiative to resolve it soon.

Time lines are:

Passport sent by post/courier number 100192346258000430170077180857 12/07/2014
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. 12/05/2014
Your application has been submitted at The Indian Embassy/Consulate for further processing. 11/24/2014
Your application is in process. Your tracking id is USAN70545114 11/23/2014
Your application has been received and will be submitted subject to verification. 11/23/2014

Notarized on these forms for child:

Additional Particulars Form
Parental Authorization for Minors
PIO Application Form

The process was smooth in the sense that after submitting I was checking the status online and got the PIO.

Minor issues:
First by mistake I have sent the documents to Consulate of India (NY) and it was returned to me in the return envelope I had in my first mail, within 2 days.
Then it was sent to CKGS.
For each application, separate reference number was allotted.
First my PIO and passport was sent. Other return envelope got missed at CKGS. I sent a mail with screenshot of tracking number and address, CKGS Team Manager has jumped in and has sent other members PIO and passports on the next day.

The courier number given in the onsite is not the actual AWB/tracking number. It seems like some reference number that is internal to CKGS. If we know the tracking number of the return envelope that we sent, we can check from the tracking number for the status.

As far as documents goes: 2 sets of checklists and one copy of all other documents.
I applied for Indian Renunciation and PIO in the same envelope, for each applicant, for each task all the mentioned documents were attached. No short cut in the sense that if there is proof of address on both tasks then copy of address proof on each application (renunciation and PIO) and for each applicant.
On the child application, parents have signed next to child's signature.
Separate payment (MO) for each applicant. We can have single payment for both tasks.

Overall I am fully satisfied with CKGS of NY center.

I have submitted PIO applications for my minor kids at the CKGS counter on 11/29. Applications were received by Embassy on 10/30.

One of my kid was scheduled to go to India on December 2nd. When I have noticed that the applications are moving very slow @DC embassy I thought it would be better to withdraw the application and go for Visa. I went to CKGS in third week of November and requested for passport withdrawal. Lady at the PIO count was really helpful and she said she would help me getting the PIO and she did. I got the PIO on 22nd November and they mailed it to me even though I have not payed for return postage.

My other kid is going to India on 19th December and yesterday I called her again and she said she would try to get the PIO. I just got the confirmation message that my PIO is completed and ready to collect. But this time I have to go collect :< (I am not complaining :)).

So if you can go there personally and request them to help, they would. If you can not go there personally shoot them an email at [email protected]. Give your complete details along with the itinerary. They are really helpful, don't see that normally in Desi operated shops. I am very impressed by their customer service. Best CS so far in any Desi operated agencies.

Good luck to you all!

Eagerly waiting for PIO approval from DC. It has been a long wait

My Application was received by Embassy on 11/04 (Your application has been submitted at The Indian Embassy/Consulate for further processing. 11/04/2014) and as of today 12/8 it has been 5 weeks and no updates on CKGS website. I have travel plans in First week of Jan. Any advice from people who recently applied PIO @ DC is appreciated.

PS: I live 6 hrs drive from DC.

Applied PIO for my 2 months old baby girl via mail. It was smooth process. My package reached CKGS on 11/21/2014 & the application was sent to embassy on 11/24/20014.
==
Passport sent by post/courier number 77 YYYY YYYY XX 12/06/2014
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. 12/06/2014
Your application has been submitted at The Indian Embassy/Consulate for further processing. 11/24/2014
Your application is in process. Your tracking id is USAS YYYY YYYY 11/24/2014
Your application has been received and will be submitted subject to verification. 11/24/2014
==

I had followed following post for documents.
http://www.immihelp.com/experience/64694-Received-PIO-card-for-my-9-months-old-daughter.html

Good Luck to all!

Applied PIO for my son by Mail to SF consulate, reached CKGS on 11/20/14, Sent to embassy on 11/20/14 and PIO approved on 12/05/14 (Total door-to-door - 16 Days). There shouldn't be any hassles after the application submission unless some missing documents or incomplete/wrong info in the application. However, the website's instructions for applications/documents required can be described, at best, as Martian!!!

Passport sent by post/courier number YYYY YYYY XX 12/05/2014
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. 12/05/2014
Your application has been submitted at The Indian Embassy/Consulate for further processing. 11/20/2014
Your application is in process. Your tracking id is USA YYYY YYYY X 11/20/2014
Your application has been received and will be submitted subject to verification. 11/20/2014

Hi Guys,
I had applied PIO for my month old son (at the time of application) and it was nothing less than a nightmare and an extreme frustrating experience for me with NewYork Center.

Here are some key things:
1. Applied on 16th September,mailed through Fedex 2 day service (and had generated a return label of my own)
2. Reached on 18th
3. No news/communication till 30th Sept
4. Called on 30th, then the guy acknowledged and said it will be looked into
5. Approved by Embassy by Oct 17th (must say no complaints with Embassy)
6. Waited till entire October, but no communication from CKGS
7. After numerous calls (most of the times call would not go through) and various emails, they acknowledged to have the PIO and told me that they have lost the return envelope/label and asked me to send another return label. I did the same day
8. then there vicious game started...every 2 to 3 days, I will call or email and they will say that we are looking into this. I had my plans to go to India in Diwali at Nov 1st week, which got ruined.
9. in between they kept telling me to send new lables every now and then. Overall I sent a return lable 4 times.
10. After a another month of fight and showing my anger/displeasure, they again said that we are still looking into this.
11. Worst thing happened when their website tracking was already showing that I have collected the PIO in person
12. But Luckily/somehow they managed to send my PIO today (Dec 5th) via Fedex.

We had been so stressed out, since we already have our tickets booked for India for January 1st week.

Tips:
Don't send them a return label., Rather just pay them extra 15$ for them to ship it.

I also know one close friend of mine (NewYork center itself) whose lable was misplaced by them and PIO was long delayed. I also know one more senior of mine whose duaghter's PIO/passport was misplaced by CKGS NewYork and they had to apply new/duplicate.

With my overall experience with them (i must tell you there were even worse things they did that i have not penned down here) was very horrible. I am glad that I at least got my PIO card after almost 3 months.

I am looking to file an official complaint to Embassy of MEA, so any pointers would be appreciated.

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to share the experience about the PIO process for my minor kid. I have been following through the posts from the day i applied the application @ SFO. I was expecting at least minimum of 4 weeks time to receive the PIO approved.

I do check the status daily at the CKGS site and did the same today (12/4/2014) too

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your application has been submitted at The Indian Embassy/Consulate for further processing. 11/17/2014
Your application is in process. Your tracking id is USA YYYY ZZZ 11/17/2014
Your application has been received and will be submitted subject to verification. 11/17/2014
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When i did check my email today i was surprised to see two emails from the CKGS regarding my application status

Email 1:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your completed application has been recieved from the Indian Embassy/Consulate and is being sorted.
Your application will be ready for collection from our Application Centre on next working day during the collection time specified on our website for your location. Kindly carry your identity proof and copy of payment receipt for collection of documents.
In case you have applied for courier or postal service, we will despatch the same within 24 working hours.
Kindly note the Tracking ID of your application USAxxxxxxxx. You can track your application using this number on our website www.in.ckgs.us.
With Regards,
CKGS Team
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Email 2:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your application has been despatched by post/courier on 12/4/2014 2:04:13 PM.
Your AWB No. is xxxxxxxxxx.
Kindly note the Tracking ID of your application USAxxxxxxx. You can track your application using this number on our website www.in.ckgs.us.
With Regards,
CKGS Team
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I checked the fedex tracking and it is scheduled to reach my home tomorrow (12/5/2014). So it took totally 17 days for my PIO application to be approved and dispatched.

I am extremely happy and looks like the @SFO has picked up pace in processing the PIO applications.

Thanks to everyone who have shared their experiences and they were very valuable.

Hello everyone,

I have followed these posts since 1st applying for my daughters PIO card and they have been very helpful in estimating the processing times. It roughly took us 12 days excluding the holidays in the thanksgiving week. The status on the tracking website doesn't show that the passport is sent by courier but I got emails and we called CKGS to confirm the approval and return address (to be sure). The wait time for the calls is close to 30 minutes each time, but they do answer the call. Also even though the Indian consulate takes 10-15 days on average after it receives the application, on phone CKGS tells that it takes 4 weeks and they do not disclose any info how far the process at consulate has been completed.

So its always best to apply for it at least 3 months in advance instead of applying 35 days before and torturing God to help (as in our case).

-------processing log-------
On 12/04/2014, I received below emails.
1. Your completed application has been recieved from the Indian Embassy/Consulate and is being sorted.
 Your application will be ready for collection from our Application Centre on next working day during the collection time specified on our website for your location. Kindly carry your identity proof and copy of payment receipt for collection of documents
2. Your application has been despatched by post/courier with AWB ##### on 12/4/2014 2:12:04 PM

Your application has been submitted at The Indian Embassy/Consulate for further processing. 11/14/2014
YOUR APPLICATION IS ON HOLD due to the missing or incomplete documents as mentioned in Remarks Column
 Only once the documents are received by us at CKGS and post verification, will we be able to continue to process your application.
 Refer to the Email sent to you from CKGS with further details. 11/11/2014 APPLICATION ON HOLD DUE TO THE FOLLOWING MISSING : PARENTS VISA STATUS COPIES, BIRTH CERTIFICATE COPY
Your application is in process. Your tracking id is USAS70455414 11/11/2014
Your application has been received and will be submitted subject to verification. 11/11/2014

Thanks.

Passport sent by post/courier number 77208xxxxx 12/03/2014

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. 12/03/2014

Your application has been submitted at The Indian Embassy/Consulate for further processing. 11/11/2014

YOUR APPLICATION IS ON HOLD due to the missing or incomplete documents as mentioned in Remarks Column Only once the documents are received by us at CKGS and post verification, will we be able to continue to process your application. Refer to the Email sent to you from CKGS with further details. 11/07/2014 APPLICATION IS ON HOLD DUE TO: MISSING PROOF OF U.S. RESIDENCE VISA.(PARENTS)

Your application is in process. Your tracking id is USAS YYYY X 11/07/2014

Your application has been received and will be submitted subject to verification. 11/07/2014

Application processed at CKGS on 10/10/2014
Sent to Embassy/Consulate on 10/17/2014
Approved and sent by couriers on 12/3/2014

Hope this helps to others.

Best Wishes.