(US) OCI processing changes
Oct 10, 2020 | 11:40 am
#16
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: EY
Posts: 976
CKGS is being removed as the processing agent for Indian OCI/Visa in the US. No word on the replacement.
https://www.in.ckgs.us/news-notices
CKGS contract with the Government of India is ending on October 31st, 2020. Thus, applicants only with the compelling reason are requested to contact the Indian Mission/post directly to apply for the OCI, Renunciation, and Indian Visa.
CKGS website will not allow applicants to fill out any new application, w.e.f. October 14th, 2020 at 5pm EST.
Incomplete applications currently waiting for the missing documents shall be returned to the applicant on October 16th, 2020, evening using their shipping payment or a prepaid envelope if the requested documents are not received on or before October 16th, 2020.
Processed documents without a return shipping label or the return shipping payment shall be submitted to the Indian Mission/post on October 19th, 2020 morning.
Applications/documents without a return shipping label or the return shipping payment shall be submitted to the Indian Mission/Post on October 19th, 2020 morning.
New Postal applications will not be accepted by CKGS, w.e.f. October 19th, 2020. Applications/Mission documents received on or before October 16th, 2020, shall be accepted and processed by CKGS.
The applicant, with a compelling reason only, would need to contact the Indian Mission/Posts for further information.
The applicant will be able to track their application status on the CKGS website, which is already under process at CKGS or Indian Embassy/Consulate even after October 31st, 2020.
https://www.in.ckgs.us/news-notices
https://www.in.ckgs.us/news-notices
CKGS contract with the Government of India is ending on October 31st, 2020. Thus, applicants only with the compelling reason are requested to contact the Indian Mission/post directly to apply for the OCI, Renunciation, and Indian Visa.
CKGS website will not allow applicants to fill out any new application, w.e.f. October 14th, 2020 at 5pm EST.
Incomplete applications currently waiting for the missing documents shall be returned to the applicant on October 16th, 2020, evening using their shipping payment or a prepaid envelope if the requested documents are not received on or before October 16th, 2020.
Processed documents without a return shipping label or the return shipping payment shall be submitted to the Indian Mission/post on October 19th, 2020 morning.
Applications/documents without a return shipping label or the return shipping payment shall be submitted to the Indian Mission/Post on October 19th, 2020 morning.
New Postal applications will not be accepted by CKGS, w.e.f. October 19th, 2020. Applications/Mission documents received on or before October 16th, 2020, shall be accepted and processed by CKGS.
The applicant, with a compelling reason only, would need to contact the Indian Mission/Posts for further information.
The applicant will be able to track their application status on the CKGS website, which is already under process at CKGS or Indian Embassy/Consulate even after October 31st, 2020.
https://www.in.ckgs.us/news-notices
Oct 13, 2020 | 5:42 pm
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Delta
Posts: 396
VFS Global will be the replacement, as reported on a few news sites. They are to begin operation from November 2.
https://www.newsindiatimes.com/india...vice-provider/
https://www.newsindiatimes.com/india...vice-provider/
Oct 14, 2020 | 1:52 am
#18
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: EY
Posts: 976
I just hope the new provider is more tech savvy and responsive, and especially gets rid of the useless and confusing options on purchasing our own prepaid envelopes to send to them. Just charge $30 for shipping and let them handle it
Oct 14, 2020 | 5:35 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,807
Oct 14, 2020 | 6:02 am
#21
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 52,618
In Germany the OCI stuff is still handled in house and only the visa was outsourced. When the visas went electronic they tendered the contract for visa, and now its handled by two companies.
Oct 14, 2020 | 6:11 am
#22
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,077
Whether or not it saves costs for the Government of India -- and that's very much in question given the history of the Indian government doing this -- I still prefer OCI and other services to be entirely in-house with the GoI's own employees rather than with any of these "outsource" "partners" in North America and Europe.
Oct 14, 2020 | 7:56 am
#23
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 52,618
Especially since the OCI process is entirely online and only the verification of uploaded documents is done by the consular staff. They basically login to the system and confirm that whatever you uploaded was seen and is a true copy.