OCI renewal nightmare

[Ihlp99]

I applied for my OCI renewal on 12/23/20 to the SFO consulate under the OCI Card Misc Services category along with the fee paid by a credit card. The application confirmation letter from VFS that I got on submission stated that my application was confirmed. It also contained the transaction id for the amount paid.

On 1/4/21, I received an email from VFS stating that my application was pending as I needed to pay an additional amount of $293. I responded the next day clarifying that my application was for an OCI renewal for which I had already paid the correct amount of $76 specified on their website.

Since then I have been going back and forth with them on email supplying all kinds of documents substantiating my proof of payment. In all, I sent 8 emails to them. Each time it was handled by a different individual. Towards the end, I requested that they escalate the issue as there was no resolution that they could provide. They twice responded saying that they had escalated it.

Yesterday to my utter shock and dismay, after the almost 2 month-long ordeal, I received an automated email from VFS stating that my application had expired and that it was in the process of being returned to me. I called them up immediately and all that the agent could do was to tell me that my application had expired.

I am at my wit's end as to how to deal with this situation. I highly appreciate any advice I can get.

Thanks in advance.

[Donald_Trump]

Ihlp99 - Did you ever contact your local Consulate? You should have escalated it to your local Consulate earlier. VFS is useless for escalation. They are exceptionally irresponsible and indifferent as they know they hold monopoly and know nothing is going to happen to them however they work. You need to escalate it to the local Consulate. At this point of time, email SFO consulate and also write a physical letter to SFO Consulate, make sure you use certified mail with return receipt. The Indian Consular and government authorities should also be held responsible and accountable as it was their decision to change vendors from CKGS to VFS. At least CKGS was very efficient with processing.

On costs incurred, if you paid with credit card - go ahead and dispute the charges with your credit card company that you used to pay to VFS making sure you provide all information and proof to your credit card company and you will be able to get 100% refund.

This is beyond pathetic.

I applied for my OCI renewal on 12/23/20 to the SFO consulate under the OCI Card Misc Services category along with the fee paid by a credit card. The application confirmation letter from VFS that I got on submission stated that my application was confirmed. It also contained the transaction id for the amount paid.

On 1/4/21, I received an email from VFS stating that my application was pending as I needed to pay an additional amount of $293. I responded the next day clarifying that my application was for an OCI renewal for which I had already paid the correct amount of $76 specified on their website.

Since then I have been going back and forth with them on email supplying all kinds of documents substantiating my proof of payment. In all, I sent 8 emails to them. Each time it was handled by a different individual. Towards the end, I requested that they escalate the issue as there was no resolution that they could provide. They twice responded saying that they had escalated it.

Yesterday to my utter shock and dismay, after the almost 2 month-long ordeal, I received an automated email from VFS stating that my application had expired and that it was in the process of being returned to me. I called them up immediately and all that the agent could do was to tell me that my application had expired.

I am at my wit's end as to how to deal with this situation. I highly appreciate any advice I can get.

Thanks in advance.

[kiranboda]

No use emailing or calling VFS, it is just a black-hole and u will waste time/energy/money.

Please escalate and send an email to the SFO Consulate, they will help you out by forwarding your case to the local VFS team based in US.

OCI SF <[email protected]>

[sathak]

Mine is worked out well. I have sent an email to above email id and one of the Officer forwarded to VFSGlobal. Now our applications addressed accordingly

[kiranboda]

Glad that worked out well for you. Good luck!

[Ihlp99]

This is an update to my original post. Thanks for the suggestions on escalation to the SFO consulate. Unfortunately, before I could do that, my application was returned to me with a Rejected status due to missing payment. I had sent an email to helpdesk-oci.gov.in when I got the email about my application expiring but did not receive any response.
I, therefore, applied again. The application was received by the VFS office 2 weeks ago but when I try to track it, I get the error message 'Invalid Inputs', which based on their website explanation means it has not been entered in the system. I am now in a wait-and-watch mode. I have meanwhile disputed the charges with the credit card company.

[sathak]

Ihlp99

You wont be able to get an update from VFS tracking system for Misc. service applications but you can get the status in government site from below link once it's forwarded to the Consulate General office.

http://https://ociservices.gov.in/statusEnqury

[Ihlp99]

I got an email today that my application has been ‘Processed’ at the VFS India Consular application Centre and is currently in transit to the Embassy of India/Consulate General of India.

[Ihlp99]

I finally got my OCI document today. I will post more details in the thread for timelines at SFO for OCI.
Thanks to all for the guidance provided.