BLS International - Frustrating Passport Renewal Process
 

Its been 9 weeks since I received a confirmation from BLS that the had received my application. My status online has been showing "Processing at consulate" for a long time.
I called BLS to find out what was happening and I was told that since the application was at the consulate they could not do anything, the guy did not even take my details!! I asked him what I could do since i have to travel in 3 weeks , and he said he has no idea! He told me that till the consulate does not inform him , it is basically not his problem. I could try calling the consulate AND HE CUT THE PHONE CALL.

I have been trying to call the Chicago consulate but haven't been able to get through. Their automated service keeps asking me to contact BLS. I have emailed every possible email address that I can find on the consulate website and BLS. I even emailed [email protected] today,whose address I found in one of the threads on Fodors.

Anyone gone through this before? Did you do anything that helped? Any phone numbers, email address? Do I go to consulate? Its a 6 hour drive for me but i AM READY TO DO IT IF IT HELPS. I have to attend my sisters wedding in a month and I am worried.

Finally talked to a person willing to listen at BLS and they said that I had an option of going to ICG Chicago during their emergency hours and try to get answers from them. Any one else gone through this before?

I have a similar situation. Its been 5 weeks and no updates. Did get your passport finally and was going to ICG Chicago helpful. I heard that they only entertain medical emergency cases.

Hi,

Were you able to get your passport in time. Did it help going and meeting in person.

Thanks,
Rama.

This news has been on Fodors since last summer and hopefully soon the visa on arrival in India which was passed last fall will be in place. In the meantime good luck!

I don't know how much of importance / relevance this is going to be but I just wanted to throw my processing timings out there:

Service : Passport Renewal (Chicago location)

Timings :
Application accepted by BLS: 19-02-2014 , 10:06
Application Processed on Date :19-02-2014
Application Processed and submitted to Consulate : 21-02-2014 , 10:37
Application received at BLS Center : 27-02-2014 , 09:11
Application handed over to Applicant : -
Application Dispatched to Applicant :27-02-2014 , 12:17

Note: I sent a prepaid envelope for the passport to be returned via courier and recommend the same to anybody else.