CKGS doesn't look any better!

[tampaite]

I have tried to call CKGS for the past 3 weeks regarding our lost US passport and OCI. Well, BLS lost them but am hoping(the optimistic in me) that perhaps they have handed over the documents to CKGS or the Indian consulate.

Every time I have called CKGS, it took me anywhere from 45 minutes to 60 minutes to reach Customer Service(CS). Then the fun begins, their CS is in Bombay and they have no clue, literally.

I have had to explain each time why am calling and what I need CKGS to do - They DO NOT have a ticket system where they put notes.

I mean c'mon you are operating as a Global company and can't get a system where CS can enter notes so the next CS that I call can quickly review the notes and provide appropriate service??

[jpe]

Passport Lost??

Same thing here: We have sent our tourist visa application to BLS SAN FRANCISCO center on May 12th with passport, and we haven't had any news so far, it has been now more than three weeks and after calling/emailing them, they have NO RECORD of the passport and documents.
We have sent a request to the new service provider CKGS and have received the following answer:
Dear Applicant, I am so sorry that you are being inconvenienced in the transition process that is taking place between BLS , the old service provider and us CKGS ,the new service provider. We would like to inform you, that we are the new service provider CKGS and are in no way responsible for the way your files have been handled.We are truly sorry. We have checked the handover manifest from BLS and have been given in complete or no data . We only update the status based on the data given to us by BLS.
There is no further update on your record
To assist you , we are now checking with the Consultant and will get an update manifest directly from them .This can take anywhere from 5 to 10 days .

This is unacceptable,
Time is an issue for us, and we are very concerned, we need, at least, to get the passport back so that our entire summer vacation is not ruined, we have called all the numbers we were given and emailed all help services but nothing has been done so far and we are asked to wait one to two more weeks (after waiting 3 weeks already).

[bholla]

I am in a desperate situation. My mother in law is on death bed back in India while we can't go because our only minor's son's passport is with CKGS and we can't apply for emergency visa at consulate either. CKGS customer support is giving me false promise and saying tracking ID will be provided shortly and that shortly never came.

Team CKGS - begging you, please help. Don't you have any moral understanding for a situation like this?

[tampaite]

I am in a desperate situation. My mother in law is on death bed back in India while we can't go because our only minor's son's passport is with CKGS and we can't apply for emergency visa at consulate either.

Am hoping it's your son's US passport.

My suggestion - take confirmed tickets and goto any regional US passport facility and you can get your son another US passport within 24 hours and then apply for an emergency visa.

[bholla]

Am hoping it's your son's US passport.

My suggestion - take confirmed tickets and goto any regional US passport facility and you can get your son another US passport within 24 hours and then apply for an emergency visa.

Thanks for the suggestion. It is my son's passport. We originally planned for a trip in July and bought the ticket back in March while I also applied for my son's OCI transfer to the new passport. I didn't get that from BLS (transfer mess to CKGS, etc.) so applied for visa now via CKGS. With all this mess I am not sure whether to change the ticket first and then go for all the emergency procedure or get these sorted out first and then change the ticket. With all these mess I am not sure what I should do.

[priyaseeksoci]

Thanks for the suggestion. It is my son's passport. We originally planned for a trip in July and bought the ticket back in March while I also applied for my son's OCI transfer to the new passport. I didn't get that from BLS (transfer mess to CKGS, etc.) so applied for visa now via CKGS. With all this mess I am not sure whether to change the ticket first and then go for all the emergency procedure or get these sorted out first and then change the ticket. With all these mess I am not sure what I should do.

Appalled at what people are going thru....this is shameful

Someone approached the MEA (Ministry of external Affairs) to get his work done.....

read

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ckgs-application-centre-new-york-new-york

[IndianinPHX]

Emailing the MEA is not helpful either, tried that as well. This is the response from them:

Dear XYZ,

I regret the bad experience that you had.

As you are aware, we changed the Service Provider in the US as of 21 May and I am aware that our Missions have been doing their best to have a smooth transition and unfortunately their best efforts have not led to the desired customer satisfaction. All of us are at it and I can only assure that you will see a big positive change soon.

I am copying this to our Consul General in San Francisco.

Best wishes.