Passport renewal in CGI Houstan
Folks.. I am planning on renewing my passport in CGI Houstan. As per their website..
Processing time:
Applications received by mail will take atleast 20 working days apart from the time taken by mail. Tatkal applications received by mail will take 10 working days apart from the time taken by mail, for which an additional emergency fee of US$ 150 will be charged in addition to the normal processing fee of US$ 40 or US$ 50 for normal booklet of 36 pages and jumbo booklet of 60 pages respectively.
NOTE: The above time schedule does not apply to services where prior approval is required from authorities in India or any other Passport Issuing Authority other than the office where the application is made. In such cases, the processing time would be upto 6 months excluding the time taken by mail.
Questions
1. My passport was issued in PO Visakhapatnam, INDIA. Does this mean, CGI Houstan will have to get approval from Indian passport office and the processing time will be 6 months??
2. What are the kind of approvals that are needed from India and how do I know if any of them are applicable to me.
If any of you have experience in this... please let me know your inputs!! Thanks!
AMAZING - TATKAL MAIL SERVICE - PASSPORT RENEWAL in 1 DAY
I had a very pleasent experience with CGI Houston. I received my passport in 1 day for TATKAL 'MAIL' SERVICE for JUMBO passport. Below is the sequence of events:
19th Sept 2011
a. Sent passport for renewal with all documents thru priority Fedex at 5 PM ET.
b. Paid $220 ($50 app fee for JUMBO passport + $150 Tatkal fee + $20 for return mail)
20th Sept 2011
a. Passport application was received by the consulate at 9.30 AM signed by one Mr. K. KASULA
b. I tried to call their phone number every 1 hour till 3.30 PM ET - No response.
c. I found out the CONSUL GENERALs number, called the same.
d. A lady picked up. I explained her that I need passport urgently.
f. She mentioned passport is a different section and if I have paid the fees for Tatkal, passport section will diligently do their work.
g. She mentioned that CGI consulate employees to their job and only in some special cases where a prior approval is needed fom the India passport office, there is a delay.
e. I told her that I understand her point of view. But told her that CGI Houston should do a better job at communication. Even if they cannot pick up the phone, they can just email saying, there is a delay or some kind of automated status update on their website. Without which people will obviously get frustrated.
g. Also I told her that the general contact numbers are of no use. No body picks up the phone. The machine always says that 'there is no body to take your call' (even during 2-4PM).
f. She offered me help and asked me my Name and Phone number. She said, she will get in touch with the passport section and see what she can do.
g. I asked her name and she did not give it.
h. The lady seemed to be very nice and professional. It sounded like she is highly educated and showed genuine concern for people's frustration.
21st Sept 2011
a. At 10 AM ET, I received a phone call from the same lady with whome I spoke on 20th Sept.
b. She told that my passport was issued yesterday itself and dispatched thru priority Fedex. I thanked her, she wished be luck.
c. 10.30 AM ET, Fedex delivered my new passport.
e. Although their website says they are out of JUMBO, I took my chance and applied for JUMBO.
f. I received a JUMBO passport with 60 pages. I do lot of international travel and this definately helps.
SO ALL IN ALL RECEIVED PASSPORT IN HAND IN 40 HRS THRU TATKAL 'MAIL' SERVICE. Thanks to the Mystery Lady in CGI Houstan.
Good Luck to all!!
