In May 2014, Cox & Kings Global Services (CKGS) was appointed as the outsourcing agency to handle collection, processing, and delivery of applications related to the Indian visa, Overseas Citizen of India, and Renunciation of Indian Citizenship processes. On December 29, 2015, Indian Consular Missions in the United States introduced a new visa application system. This new system has resulted in extreme hardship to applicants.
In this article we are listing some of the common issues faced by applicants using the new system. Attorneys at Murthy Immigration Services are in the process of bringing this to the attention of Indian Missions in the U.S.

• Confidentiality: We noticed that while retrieving information related to one’s application, the new system fetches confidential data relating to other non-related visa applications.
• Scheduling Appointment: While scheduling a walk-in appointment, the system provides a choice of date and time. However, if the preferred date and time is unavailable, the system automatically assigns a date and time. The applicant does not have any control over the allocated date / time.
• Cancellation / Rescheduling of Visa Interviews: Once the system automatically assigns a date / time for an in-person interview, the applicant is not able to cancel or reschedule the same. Any attempt to do this switches the mode of application from walk-in to submission of documents by courier. Once this happens, neither the system nor the support desk is able to modify this to a walk-in interview.
• Unscheduled Walk-in Does not Guarantee Submission of Documents on Same Day: Once the system switches one’s application to the courier system, the applicant is left with no option but to walk in without an appointment. At present, unscheduled walk-in(s) to CKGS facility is available during business days. However, on account of the huge volume of applicants, one may not be guaranteed an appointment for the same day if they turn up as an unscheduled walk-in applicant.

As of this writing, CKGS support staff is unable to provide any assistance or useful information with respect to issues arising out of the new Indian visa application system launched on December 29, 2015. While calling, often the wait times are long and the outcome is unfruitful.

We hope issues relating to the new system will be addressed soon. In the meantime, Indian visa applicants living in the United States should plan their travel well in advance.