Cox & Kings shuts down on Oct 14; VFS Global takes over from Nov. 2.
Th Indian Embassy in the US is changing its outsourcing service provider for visa services from Cox & Kings Global Services (CKGS) to VFS Global from Nov. 2.
CKGS will close its existing service center in Washington DC for Visa, OCI, Renunciation, Passport and Global Entry Program (GEP) at 5 pm on Oct. 14, the embassy announced Friday.
From Oct. 19, the embassy will provide direct limited services only in emergencies till the new outsource service provider, VFS Global takes over operations, expected from Nov 2.
OCI services will remain suspended till the new service provider takes over, a public notice issued by the embassy said.
Applicants can only submit applications on the CKGS website (Website: in.ckgs.us) before 5 pm on Oct 14. They must ensure that their documents are shipped to CKGS with suitable pre-paid return envelopes so as it reaches them by 5 pm on Oct 16.
Any applications received after that will be returned to the applicants without processing. Applicants must ensure that they receive back the processed documentation from CKGS as it will not be possible for CKGS or the embassy to take care of any returned envelopes, it said.
For emergency visa to the eligible categories allowed to travel to India, applicants may send an email request to asovisa.washington@mea.gov.in and visa1.washington@mea.gov.in.
On receipt of the documentation checklist, applicants may submit their applications with required documents relating to the different categories of visa. The embassy may request additional documentation in certain cases.
For emergency passport services, applicants may send an email to attcons1.washington@mea.gov.in explaining the reason. They must start the application process only after approval from the Embassy.
For diplomatic/official visas, applicants may contact the Special Issuance Agency of the Department of State for completion of necessary formalities. In case of any questions, an email may be sent to attcons.washington@mea.gov.in for details.
The embassy advised applicants to keep in mind consular jurisdiction as well as the emergency contact information of the Embassy/Consulates in USA and submit an application to the relevant office.
These details are available at Welcome to Embassy of India, Washington D C, USA:
Applicants residing in the consular jurisdictions of Consulates General of India at Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York and San Francisco, may visit the websites of respective Consulates for information on the services during the transition period.
The contact details of VFS Global, service fees details, their operational hours, etc. will be published on the websites of the Embassy of India, Washington DC and on the websites of the Consulates in due course, according to the notice.
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Cox and Kings Global Services to handle Indian passport services in US (April 19, 2016)