YOUR India visa application experience with CKGS @USA
Feb 3, 2015, 3:29 pm
#241
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: Marriott Silver, Delta SkyMiles Member, Global Entry,AA Gold
Posts: 234
So has anything improved with CKGS as we have been waiting to file for OCI. If its improved then I am going to let my parents know to file for OCI and once theirs is done then they can file for me that way we don't have this headache of filing for a visa every so often.
Aug 10, 2015, 12:21 pm
#243
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SF, CA, US
Programs: AA Plat Pro, UA MM Gold, HHonors Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Plat, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 1,236
I need a tourist visa in under two weeks (US citizen). Application will be mailed. Should I go through CKGS, or is there another private company that can get it to me in the desired timeframe?
Last edited by aau; Aug 10, 2015 at 12:39 pm
Aug 10, 2015, 12:33 pm
#244
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: UA AU (ex 10+ year 1k) 1.5MM, AS Newbie, HH ex Dia
Posts: 337
Aug 10, 2015, 12:38 pm
#245
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SF, CA, US
Programs: AA Plat Pro, UA MM Gold, HHonors Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Plat, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 1,236
No unfortunately the person who needs this will stay longer than 30 days. Is it a strict requirement that you can only apply at the office in your jurisdiction? I was thinking of having the applicant FedEx her passport to me and I'd apply at the local SF office.
Aug 10, 2015, 1:13 pm
#246
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,475
I don't think you can apply through anyone else. Even if they do take it, they will just send it to CGKS.
Oct 5, 2015, 10:26 am
#247
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 26
great experience with CKGS NY.
recently myself and a family member applied for tourist visa & renunciation. the processed docs were returned within 8 calendar days.
ckgs sent several email with updates.
the web & instructions are a bit confusing about a couple of issues but good thing - CKGS answers phones within 5 min and responds to emails generally with 24 hrs.
the only suggestions is: follow all instructions carefully, provide all docs asked for.
recently myself and a family member applied for tourist visa & renunciation. the processed docs were returned within 8 calendar days.
ckgs sent several email with updates.
the web & instructions are a bit confusing about a couple of issues but good thing - CKGS answers phones within 5 min and responds to emails generally with 24 hrs.
the only suggestions is: follow all instructions carefully, provide all docs asked for.
Oct 8, 2015, 4:21 pm
#248
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K and MM, Marriot, Hilton
Posts: 804
my wife and I applied in person at the San francisco office on September 18th. My wife got her passport and visa back on Septebmer 23. i am still waiting and am getting very nervous. i wish i could physically just pick up my passport from the SF consulate and apply for the 30 day tourist evisa. We leave next Friday. UGH
Last edited by jasonp622; Oct 8, 2015 at 4:46 pm
Oct 11, 2015, 8:05 pm
#249
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: TX
Programs: WN A List Preferred and CP, AA, IHG Spire, Hertz #1 Gold 5*, Hilton Diamond, Enterprise Platinum
Posts: 1,269
http://india.travisa.com/TVSVisaInstructions.aspx?CountryID=IN&CitizenshipI D=US&ResidenceID=US&TravelerTypeID=BU&PartnerID=TA &GLID=AUS
Oct 26, 2015, 11:46 pm
#250
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,682
a client of mine applied for his visa at the sfo office a couple of weeks ago....he just received an email which reads:
does anyone have an idea what this means????
Your Passport has been Withdrawn successfully, Kindly Collect your passport by Using any (In Person/ Prepaid/ FedEx ) Service.
Nov 3, 2015, 9:23 pm
#251
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 23
CKGS is horrible !
My company has had _4_ people with lost passports sent to CKGS which they say they never received but which the fedex courier service they require you to use showed delivery.
Calling their 'helpdesk' is pointless every time you will be told 'It will take 24-48 hours for an update' when you respond with 'It has been two weeks!' they will say 'Sorry for the wait sir, just wait 24-48 hours for update.' If you ask to be put through to a supervisor, they will refuse to allow it.
Horrible company, horrible experience.
My company has had _4_ people with lost passports sent to CKGS which they say they never received but which the fedex courier service they require you to use showed delivery.
Calling their 'helpdesk' is pointless every time you will be told 'It will take 24-48 hours for an update' when you respond with 'It has been two weeks!' they will say 'Sorry for the wait sir, just wait 24-48 hours for update.' If you ask to be put through to a supervisor, they will refuse to allow it.
Horrible company, horrible experience.
Nov 24, 2015, 5:05 pm
#253
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: Globalist, Marriott Plat, various sundry
Posts: 984
My wife and I sent out for visas to India through CKGS Chicago. We're both US-born citizens, her parents are US-born, and my parents were born in India (now naturalized).
My wife's experience: Obnoxiously confusing website, doesn't understand why they ask about religion on there, but she sent hers in on the 2nd of November. Received on the 5th, sent to consulate on the 6th, back to CKGS on the 10th, in her hands on the 12th.
My experience: Sent on 30th October, received on the 2nd. I didn't have the copies of parents' passports (which was my mistake), so they told me to send them. I sent one on the 4th, and they asked for my passport information and order number. I sent that again on the 5th. I called on the 6th and they said they were checking it; I called on the 10th and they said the same thing. I started asking what they're looking for (that was a tactical mistake).
On the 13th, they finally "received" the document, then sent it to the consulate on the 16th. It was returned on the 17th to CKGS, but they waited until the 20th to print the label (I called them twice in the meantime asking when I could expect it) and the 23rd to send it to me (received today).
Overall experience was meh. The wife's was pretty smooth; mine was dicey and I thought about reporting the passport lost/stolen because of the delays.
My wife's experience: Obnoxiously confusing website, doesn't understand why they ask about religion on there, but she sent hers in on the 2nd of November. Received on the 5th, sent to consulate on the 6th, back to CKGS on the 10th, in her hands on the 12th.
My experience: Sent on 30th October, received on the 2nd. I didn't have the copies of parents' passports (which was my mistake), so they told me to send them. I sent one on the 4th, and they asked for my passport information and order number. I sent that again on the 5th. I called on the 6th and they said they were checking it; I called on the 10th and they said the same thing. I started asking what they're looking for (that was a tactical mistake).
On the 13th, they finally "received" the document, then sent it to the consulate on the 16th. It was returned on the 17th to CKGS, but they waited until the 20th to print the label (I called them twice in the meantime asking when I could expect it) and the 23rd to send it to me (received today).
Overall experience was meh. The wife's was pretty smooth; mine was dicey and I thought about reporting the passport lost/stolen because of the delays.