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My wife was an Indian citizen and became naturalized in the U.S. at the age of 12 when her parents obtained U.S. citizenship. We are trying to apply for Indian visas on our U.S. passports but she's run into some problems.
Because she was 12 when she was naturalized, she never received any naturalization papers or a certificate stating she renounced her Indian citizenship. She submitted the necessary renunciation paperwork and her old Indian passport along with her visa application.
Just a few days ago, we opened our mailbox to find that everything she had submitted for her visa application was returned to us by BLS International (the company India outsourced their visa handling to). The only information we have is a small note scribbled on the application that says, "$250 penalty. Didn't cancel Indian passport within 3 years of naturalization. See website" That's all we have to go on. They didn't call, they didn't email, they just mailed it back with a little note.
We've called over 20 times and not once have they picked up the phone. It seems ridiculous that we should be penalized because a 12 year old didn't surrender her passport. We're leaving for India on Dec 24th so I'd just send everything back with an additional $250 money order if I knew that would work, but I'm hesitant to do that without confirming with someone at BLS that that is all that is required. I've also considered driving down to Chicago (we're in WI), but the "Appointment" link on the BLS website only lets you reschedule or cancel an appointment, not make one. I'd call to make an appointment but, again, they never answer the phone.
Does anyone have any suggestions for dealing with BLS or anything else we can do in this situation?
-Thanks
Because she was 12 when she was naturalized, she never received any naturalization papers or a certificate stating she renounced her Indian citizenship. She submitted the necessary renunciation paperwork and her old Indian passport along with her visa application.
Just a few days ago, we opened our mailbox to find that everything she had submitted for her visa application was returned to us by BLS International (the company India outsourced their visa handling to). The only information we have is a small note scribbled on the application that says, "$250 penalty. Didn't cancel Indian passport within 3 years of naturalization. See website" That's all we have to go on. They didn't call, they didn't email, they just mailed it back with a little note.
We've called over 20 times and not once have they picked up the phone. It seems ridiculous that we should be penalized because a 12 year old didn't surrender her passport. We're leaving for India on Dec 24th so I'd just send everything back with an additional $250 money order if I knew that would work, but I'm hesitant to do that without confirming with someone at BLS that that is all that is required. I've also considered driving down to Chicago (we're in WI), but the "Appointment" link on the BLS website only lets you reschedule or cancel an appointment, not make one. I'd call to make an appointment but, again, they never answer the phone.
Does anyone have any suggestions for dealing with BLS or anything else we can do in this situation?
-Thanks
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