Consulate General of India in San Francisco

WORST experience ever with both CKGS and the Consulate. Incompetent clerical staff at both locations. Clueless responses by email. NO answer on any phones with any valuable information. Unnecessary bureaucratic paperwork requirements. These people make the DMV looks like Einstein. AVOID AT ALL COSTS. Hope I never have to go to India again or deal with this nonsense. Plan a trip to Thailand or Brazil if you want exotic because Indian visa process is the most ridiculous audacious BS I have ever encountered.

Had a great experience last week for Tatkaal passport renewal application, unlike some of the reviews. Got instant approval for tatkaal, with valid reason for an urgent business trip. Got my passport within 3 days from submission date. Jai Hind !

When my 6-​year-​old dog began screaming and shrieking in pain out of the blue, my husband rushed us to the veterinary hospital next door to this facility. Because it was an emergency and there was no place else safe to stop, we pulled very briefly into the parking spot of the consulate so I could get out and carry my dog in – we did not even turn off the car as the plan was for my husband to let me out and continue immediately on without getting out of the car because he was late to work. Before I could even open the door and get out with my dog, however, multiple men came out of the embassy yelling at us that we couldn’t park there and that they were going to call the police. I explained immediately that we weren’t parking, that we were just making an emergency veterinary dropoff and that my husband was leaving as soon as I got out of the car. They said they didn’t care and continued yelling and threatening to call the cops even as my husband pulled away. They were completely unphased by my explanation and unconcerned about my obvious, tearful distress about my dog’s condition. I’d estimate we were in their parking spot for maybe 30 seconds total. If this kind of bizarre aggression erupts at 7:30 a.m. over parking space turfiness, I can only imagine what kind of treatment their customers can expect during the inevitable snags, frustrations and difficulties involved with the kinds of problems that normally bring people to consulates.

If you need a VISA (I needed a business visa) to India, bewared that the office at 540 Arguello Blvd in San Francisco is NOT the location to go. The process is very unclear and confusing. You must do your visa processing through Cox & Kings at 225 Bush Street, 1^st floor, San Francisco, CA. It is unlikely that most people will be able to figure out the process on-​line, as they will often (mistakenly) go to the indianvisaonline site. Sure, you can fill out the visa there at the indianvisaonline site, but you cannot expect to get your application processed on a walk-​in basis. Instead, you MUST make an appointment on-​line through the outsourcer, Cox & Kings (CKGS). The rule disallowing walk-​ins and requiring an appointment to be made in advance on-​line went into effect on January 11, 2016. To make your appointment and pay for your visa, you must first visit
to fill out the necessary documents, pay the fee. The total fees for my 1 year, multiple-​entry visa was $ 180.00, which you can pay by MasterCard, Visa, Discover or AMEX. When you visit the agent windows at the Cox & Kings office, you will also pay $ 16.00 for Federal Express delivery. Note: they do not accept AMEX for the Fed Ex shipping fee. Any documents you print at the Cox & Kings office will be $ 1.00 per page (bring cash). BTW, parking is very expensive in SF. I paid $ 35.00 for only a couple of hours of parking. There are three computers at the CKGS office at 225 Bush Street, which you can use to fill out the Cox & Kings application documents, pay the application fee. However, if you make the trip to SF, don’t expect to get an appointment for the same day. I was lucky, as I arrived at about 8:35am and was the first person at the 3^rd floor waiting room. I was very fortunate to meet, Greg, a very nice young man who works for Cox & Kings as he arrived to work a few minutes after I arrived. I explained how the process of making the appointment didn’t work at the indianvisaonline site (it provides a button to click for an appointment, but then closes your browser window, with no means access the schedule-​an-​appointment button). He informed me about the requirement to go to the Cox & Kings site (
). Because I was the first one there that morning, coupled with the facts that it was a slow morning and the appointment system had been broken recently, he was able to get me processed the same day (Wednesday, 01/​27/​2016). THANK YOU, GREG! You’re a lifesaver? Once I met with the clerk to process your application, she told that it takes 5 — 7 business days to get the completed visa back via FedEx. The process is pretty chaotic, subject to change at any moment and can lead to a lot of frustration, if you let it get to you. Make the visit to the Cox & Kings office being prepared to adapt to the situation. Arrive EARLY. Bring your patience. Treat all of their staff with kindness and a smile… say «please» and «thank you.» Believe me, this will go a long way, as many other customers will likely be much less polite. I sure wish I had found similar post before I started this process. I hope this post helps you.

Very helpful person who opened the door and helped with all documents even showed me place to get a passport photo since I didn’t have one.
Very refreshing.

The worst embassy in the world!!! The only way these Indians will help you is if you bribe them. Only money matters to them! Sad but true!!!

Overall, I had a good experience. Thank you Mr. Brahmam for understanding and promptly helping my husband’s situation.
Situation:
My husband came to know on 11÷16÷22 015 from the internet that non-​machine readable passports will not be accepted after 111÷25÷2015. Note — His passport did not expire until June 2017. As we were traveling to overseas on Dec 3^rd, 2015, applying for new indian passport created two weeks before leaving created lot of stress. New application was submitted on 12/​18/​2015. Here’s the timeline.
Current Aplication Status: Delivered By Hand
Application accepted by BLS: 18-​11-​2015, 11:46
Application Processed on Date :18−11−2015
Application Processed and submitted to Consulate: 19-​11-​2015, 12:34
Passport received at BLS Center: 30-​11-​2015, 17:38
Passport handed over to Applicant :01−12−2015, 16:59
Tips on how to expedite your application:
1. Complete the application 100% as per instructions online. Don’t go to consulate and ask silly questions. Saw many people doing this. Not efficient use of your and consulates time. In case, the online application for BLS does not work, then try through a different browser and at different times. We had this issue too.
2. If you genuinely have an imperative issue, you may need to go to consulate multiple times. My husband had to go thrice. Be polite all the time.
3. Have two copes of everything — just in case.
4. If you need to urgently receive your passport, then collect in person. Avoid the shipping fees and time it takes to receive it.
5. When submitting your application at BLS, your spouse can submit on your behalf. You just need a signed letter of authorization.
6. Have exact and some change when submitting the application.
7. Do not use BLS for photocopying, etc — they charge an arm and leg
Improvements consulate can make:
1. Make the entire application digital. No paper copies submission.
2. Put yourself in application shoes at all times.
3. Emulate neighboring countries like Singapore — entire application is streamlined.
4. Provide a dedicated email address where you’ll answer emails or outsource this too.

Power of Attorney Service
Disclaimer! This is a review of their services for Power of Attorney only. The process itself is rather painful — your documents need to be notarized and apostilled by authorities in Sacramento. This apostille part is not very clearly mentioned in their website. I learned this at the Consulate during my appointment. Very frustrating because I had to go back another day in person. On another note their lobby and waiting area is dismal. If you are caught in a rainy day with no lockers to put your belongings in you will need to stand outside in the RAIN. Very rude security person who kept screaming at everyone; kept saying «They don’t pay me enough to do this SHIT.» WOW REALLY. Second visit I got my stuff done but you get the documents between 4 and 4:45. And no place to wait there. Rather frustrating process. Will avoid next time.

I’m an Indian citizen and applied for a visa for my wife who’s a French national. After 8 weeks of pain and finally applying for passport withdrawal form so she could travel back home for Christmas (initially we wanted to travel to India for Diwali too), we were given a 6-​month visitor visa, which isn’t the visa we applied for. The fees we paid ($ 266 + mailing) was more than twice charged for visitor visa and no refund was issued. The visa dates provided don’t really help us much since by the time we travel to India now, we’ll soon have to get another one. The extreme apathy of the entire process was mind numbing and a massive contrast to the visa process I had to go through as an Indian citizen applying at the French consulate in San Francisco for the schengen visa ($ 8 fee, within a day for 6 –months and requested to apply for 5 yr visa with a French marriage registration form).

Please let me know if somebody knows if there is an ongoing legal process against this company and i can join with my claim. Thank you!

Awful. Just awful. Send them your documents at your own risk.
I applied for a visa 6 weeks in advance of a conference and I was told that the usual processing time is 5 – 10 business days. After 30 days without any updates, I started to inquire about the status of my application. It was then I realized the true depravity of their application system.
First of all, the Consulate General of India has NO customer service. The phone numbers they provide on their website do not work. You call and the line just rings indefinitely. Even their emergency line is defunct. They have electronic message forms but those don’t work either. After you fill out the form and press submit, the server returns an obscure error. There is absolutely no way to contact anyone at the consulate without showing up at their building in person.
Second, the consulate general outsources most of their visa processing to a third party company called CKGS. You actually send all your forms to them and, after reviewing everything, they submit your application to the consulate. This to me reeks of corruption and incompetence. Who are these middlemen and why are they allowed to view my most sensitive personal information? Unlike the consulate, CKGS actually have a working help line but they have no control over your application once they submit it to the consulate. They told me repeatedly that they have no direct with anyone at the embassy. Unbelievable.
It has now been 40 days since I submitted my application and I’m beyond frustrated. The worst part about this dilemma is that my passport is behind held hostage. Look, I get it. A visa a right not a privilege. If you don’t want to give me a visa. Fine. I can deal with that. However, you have no right to seize someone’s passport for several weeks without an explanation. That’s beyond unacceptable. Now all my other trips this year are in jeopardy because my passport is stuck at this consulate.
At this point, I just want my passport back. This one of the most anxiety inducing experiences I’ve ever had. Heed my warning and stay away from this consulate if you can.

Like most of the other people here, I dont have a very good experience in dealing with CKGS. I applied for my 4 month daughter VISA application and the USPS tracking shows that documents were delivered on 7-​Oct and an acknowledgement from CKGS on 9-​Oct saying that we received your application and is under progress, unfortunately the application is still under process on 16-​Nov (even after 38 days). I started following up with CKGS since 25-​Oct and uptill now I haven’t got an update. The case was escalated on 29^th Oct with CKGS and uptill now I don’t see where the escalation went. When I call them (yes, after waiting for more than 15 minutes and pressing 1 every 15 – 20 seconds so that call doesn’t not get dis-​connected) I don’t seem to get an update from the customer care associates on where the visa application is stalled.
I have travel planned for India on 28-​Nov to attend a close family wedding for which I have now given up hope as it does not appear that I will receive the visa and passport for my daughter in time. I will be loosing close to $ 800 in tickets and all other hotel and car reservations that I made in India. When I told the associates at the call center, they argued with me saying that you should not have booked the ticket before getting the visa. According to them I should be asking CKGS before scheduling a marriage.
CKGS, please improve your process! You are putting the final nail in the coffin on the process to get Indian Visa easily and I am not the only one with this issue, there are multiple other people who have mentioned the same thing.

How is it that it takes so long and so much unnecessary process to allow people back to visit another country? I believe the CGKS has figured out how. In probably the most frustrating experience I’ve had to deal with, this office has held my sister’s passport hostage for almost a month for NO reason. Four of my family are trying to go back to do my father’s last rites in India and now my family is stressing 4 days before our flight because of clerical incompetence. It’s only fitting that I sat through the reviews of others and saw the exact same experience, because apparently this is commonplace. Something needs to be done for government officiated offices like this and it’s downright infuriating that nobody is willing to accept accountability for issues like this.
How dare they fail to handle the proper clerical process then ask us to pay the ‘emergency expedite’ fees? On top of that, when we finally give up and offer to pay, they now add in the caveat that we may STILL NOT GET OUR PASSPORT because they’ve already passed it to the embassy and unable to do anything. As if we are dealing with some black hole in space. This is an issue that is serious that it will be passed on to any government body possible associated with it. I hope others will also join in and contact whomever has any influence over this agency so that it can be either restructured or flat out shut down.

Well …, I saw DIGITAL INDIA up very close when I visited CKGS office few days ago .MY advise to people who go there for Indian visa DO NOT MAKE appointment BECAUSE its first come first serve basis.
Only reason I think they are using online appointment system so they get even flow of people during the business hours. So either you have appointment or walk in both treated equally same so no point of making appointment… GO ON YOUR TERMS … just walk in its same
I made appointment for 12 to 1 pm and I get there around 11:45 am and I was issued number like every one else AND my number was called in around 3:45 pm .
So there is no such a thing call appointment. they are using mentality and method they use back in DIGITAL INDIA which is that no ones time is more important then your.
My advise is don’t cut your sleep short and get there 9 am (most people try to get there early as possible so if you do the opposite you can avoid some rush) Go there After lunch so you are fully energized after good night sleep and good lunch BECAUSE You will be spending 4 hours there at least so you be done around 5 then go for dinner in downtown then go home. This way you will not be stressed. Because while you are there specially after lunch you will feel the anger in room people arguing with clerks and shaking there heads SO go there after lunch .make that a fun trip. You will watch live action in the room.
CKGS staff is doing what they can its not really there fault. They are just not capable of handling this task it’s just to big for them. Blame should go to Indian government they make this ridiculous requirements to get Indian visa. And other people to blame for is who comes to this office unprepared.
Please complete your application along with all requested documents. follow the checklist .
Other funny thing is if you were born in India it’s actually more difficult to get Indian visa. You are required to submit more paperwork .your old expired Indian passport must be returned and if you don’t have that even more paperwork.
But I must also say this 8 out of 10 applicants who goes there are unprepared. Missing documents and stuff. Most of the delay cause by unprepared applications. but I think CKGS need to take step to improve process they should check application before issuing number. So if any thing is missing in application can be corrected before applicants go to the window. Because what happened is applicant go to window if something missing in applications they end up going to window 2 to 3 times that slows the process for everyone. Even if you have your application prepared correctly once you number is called it will take 20 min on window at least .
So if you go there for visa prepare all your documents and be prepare to wait because you are applying visa for DIGITAL INDIA where you have to submit about 25 papers to get visa for DIGITAL INDIA .
CKGS need to hire more people and need a bigger facility.
After having this horrible experience I really don’t know how India manage to send a mission to Mars?
They can’t even handle simple task …

The worst embassy in the whole world. These people deserve negative stars. This is probably the only embassy that refuse to talk to their own citizens or deal with their customers. There is no way to contact the embassy directly to resolve your problem. They neither answer their phones, nor let you inside the embassy to talk to an employee. Instead, you are forced to deal with incompetent middle men who cannot answer your questions or resolve your issue. You are out of luck if your application is returned for whatever reason — there is no way to resolve the issue, because the employees at this embassy refuse to deal with customers!
Indian Visa applications, OCI applications etc are now outsourced to a pathetic company named Cox and Kings. The passport services are outsourced to some other company. These outsourced, third party, middlemen companies exist just to accept your application as a receptionist.
I really believe there is some kind of scam going on with this Indian embassy and their outsourced partners. Have you seen any other embassy anywhere in the world outsourcing their jobs to private companies? I wonder if that is even legal!
Please tell me why the incompetent third party Cox&King is in the middle of me and my embassy? Indian tax payers are paying these embassy employees to do a job, But instead of doing their job, they outsource their job to incompetent third party companies.
I also have another big concern — What kind of security clearance does Cox and Kings have to review my personal information? The people working there are not even Indian. They neither answer your questions, nor help you in any way. So why am I dealing with these private agencies instead of dealing with my embassy directly?
The whole process has regressed. Indian visa applications used to take 5 days before, now it takes minimum 20 days. And there is no way you can get an emergency visa without a death certificate or a medical certificate. You can read many nightmare stories all over the web. These incompetent people have made it very difficult for anyone to visit India. It is extremely frustrating as there is no accountability whatsoever!
On the other hand, if you go to the Chinese embassy, you will get your visa in 24 hours. Unlike these incompetent people that hardly process 50 applications a day, the Chinese embassy processes 300 – 500 applications daily without any middlemen! These shameless people should go to the Chinese embassy to learn something.
This embassy and its employees are a disgrace to the nation. If the Chinese embassy and every other embassies all over the world, can process visas in couple of days, why cant you? This is not rocket science. So why do you have to hold our passports hostage for 20 days to process a visa? (btw there is no guarantee that you will even get your passport back. coz these incompetent people may lose your passport when they move it from Cox and King building to the embassy building!)
If an embassy employee is reading this, please contact me and let me know your escalation process. If Cox and King cannot answer my question and if my application is stuck in the process, how do I get hold of an embassy employee? Where do I go to get a straight answer on what need to be done to move my application forward? Your process is broken!
The entire setup reeks of corruption. I am sure someone is getting kickbacks from these third party companies. What a waste of Indian taxpayer money! This scam must be exposed. This is not how embassies all over the world conduct their business.

This was the best experience I had with Govt of India organization. Applied for visa of my minor son and the whole process was completed within 1 week. CKGS call centre was extremely helpful and polite in answering all my queries and helping me get the documentation right.

I had been here back in 2005 for my passport renewal and now for yet another renewal. It has improved a bit and now passport services are handled by BLS. Service was bit slow but if you have all the documents then processing moves fast. They do have a computer and a print-​out if you need to use them for printing/​writing documents. They have a TV broadcasting some channel and is quite annoying with the loud noise.
Cell phones are not allowed inside the embassy. They have locker cubbies outside. Parking is seldom available within a block of the embassy.

The Indian Consulate is completely corrupt. They hide behind CKGS but they have set up a standard visa application which is very broad. They specify a cost of $ 100 for a 10 year visa. I requested a multi-​entry visa and they issued me a visa with single entry visa which expires before my travel date. Now I understand the visa is a «privilege» and they have discretion but to issue an incorrect visa is simple a way to generate money to line their pockets while people get upset with CKGS. My paperwork submitted was solid and so perfect with checklist and they did take 2 weeks to issue the visa (one star) but they found no other item to come back to me with other than issue a visa that is no good to me. After contacting them, they had the nerve to tell me I could apply again! So what, you can take more of my money?

Poor service is one thing but deliberate bigotry is another. The counsel are never answered the phone even after I complained via walk in session. The lady at the window promised that they pickup phones between 2 – 4 pm. This is my 5 th day of
Calling and no answer. It’s a shame that I even have t decide against visiting India. I will visit Nepal instead. Where women are much safer.

TATKAL/​RUSH PASSPORT
Fast and easy if you have all the documents ready to go… I was very skeptical after reading the reviews,
And was hesitant to drive up here from southern California. I wrote a brief description on the reason of my emergency and my tatkal application got approved.
Please avoid using your cellphone as they’re very against it.
Hope this review helps someone.
Happy