Requesting help in getting passport back from SFO consulate

[akhi1452]

Hi everyone,

I had applied for passport reissuance at the SFO consulate. The application reached the consulate on Nov 5. According to VFS, it'll take around 3 weeks for processing.

I have an urgent medical need to go to India. My flight leaves Seattle on Nov 19. And I'm almost certain the new passport will not be ready by then.

I spoke to VFS and they said they won't be able to do anything since the application has already been dispatched to the embassy. I have also sent multiple emails to the embassy since Thursday but haven't received any response. Tried calling them but there's only a pre-recorded message, no human response.

A friend who's in SF is helping me with this. He's going to the embassy on Monday to get any response.

Has anyone had any prior experience like this with the SF embassy? Could you suggest any solutions?

I would really appreciate any help with this.

Thank you!

[farazs1]

I think your best bet is to go to SFO consulate personally with proof of urgent medical need and talk to someone over there. I actually wouldn't recommend sending your friend.

[Jot18]

You can get emergency visa. Get a doctor note from India and attach the receipt of Renunciation. I got visa for one of uncle's two weeks ago. We apied renunciation and visa together.

[akhi1452]

I think your best bet is to go to SFO consulate personally with proof of urgent medical need and talk to someone over there. I actually wouldn't recommend sending your friend.

Thank you for the reply!

Is there a particular reason you say I shouldn't ask my friend to go?

[akhi1452]

You can get emergency visa. Get a doctor note from India and attach the receipt of Renunciation. I got visa for one of uncle's two weeks ago. We apied renunciation and visa together.

Sorry, I might not have been clear in the OP. I already have an Indian passport. I had sent it for reissuance since the expiration date was getting close.
I need it back urgently to travel to India.

[Jot18]

Sorry, I might not have been clear in the OP. I already have an Indian passport. I had sent it for reissuance since the expiration date was getting close.
I need it back urgently to travel to India.

Oh Im sorry. I read reissuance as renunciation. You should be able to contact the embassy directly on the emergency line and explain your situation.
Try the following numbers: (415)668-0662 ; (415)668-0683

[akhi1452]

I tried calling both these numbers on Friday, it always went to a pre-recorded message. I'll try again on Monday.

Thank you!

[farazs1]

Thank you for the reply!

Is there a particular reason you say I shouldn't ask my friend to go?

It is your urgent need to travel so your case is best represented by your presence. Try calling first. If you cannot reach embassy, then I suggest you should go yourself and present your case. Unless you have some physical limitation that is stopping you from going to SF, this is my advice.

[kiranboda]

Tag them on Twitter and ask for help. Tag @nagentv on Twitter along with @Cgisfo, they do look at tweets for urgent needs.

[akhi1452]

Thank you for all the helpful replies!

I flew to SF and was able to sort the situation out with the consulate.

[Jot18]

Thank you for all the helpful replies!

I flew to SF and was able to sort the situation out with the consulate.

Can you please share your story what exactly happened when you went there.

[akhi1452]

Sure.

I explained my urgent need to travel to India to the officer at the consulate. They requested me to send proofs of my medical emergency and flight tickets to the email id listed on the consulate's website.

After about an hour or so, I received a call from them notifying that my passport had been processed.

[farazs1]

Happy you got it resolved. Safe travels.