Kathie

Enough to make a couple of posts on Fodors - not enough to process people's visas efficiently.

jacketwatch

There is 6 or 7 on another thread, soon to be gone too if not already.

CounterClifton

Monday:
8am - coffee and muffin
9am - consider answering ringing phone
10am - move papers around on desk (there's just so MANY), unplug phone
11am - 1pm lunch
2pm - browse internet for people saying you're not doing your job
3pm - create several logins and tell them you ARE doing your job by pretending to be one of them. Wow, it's so true... "if you can't beat them, join them."
4pm - it's been a tough day. Now for a little "me" time.

* Note: this has been a random and totally imagined satire of some other organisation. In no way does it resemble reality.

jacketwatch

.

sidnewyork

Bye Bye BLS !
http://www.indiawest.com/news/17029-...-new-bids.html

Kathie

It sounds like they have listened to the many people who have had problems with BLS.

jacketwatch

I read the linked article and was astounded to see that Mr. R. Whig said BLS. more that adequate service. One can't improve until you recognize a problem. At least the Indian govt. did not make that mistake.

juliajane

in the meantime...do you think service will be better or worse? I am waiting for my visa for travel mid march...yikes!!!

jacketwatch

Good point. I wonder how it could improve as they are lame ducks now. They had plenty to work for with all the complaints but apparently thought it was not necessary as they had the contract so who cares which of course was the point all along. I'll bet if anything it will get worse. I hope you get your visa and your passport. .

bushwoman2002

Can you tell me the name and phone number of the consolidator you use?

Thanks.

sidnewyork

Police Investigating Passports Stolen from San Francisco BLS Office

Read more at http://www.indiawest.com/news/17340-...Y5PE9ggK1IG.99

MmePerdu

Bushwoman, are you looking for an airfare consolidator or a visa expeditor?

The consolidator I use is http://www.airtreks.com/.

The best visa expeditor I've used is http://www.visahq.com/.

sidnewyork

If you want to be entertained. Read the comments at this link:

http://www.visa.blsindia-usa.com/fee...onec_fermentum

brk01

Hello,
I'm one of those rare people who had a good experience with BLS when I got an India visa a year or so ago (when I should have gotten the 10-year!). Now I need another, but am a bit nervous about BLS given what I gather to be their lame-duck status. Is there a case to be made for paying Travisa their $70 service charge to facilitate things? Thanks.

uhoh_busted

When is your trip? India may have visa on arrival in place by then. Last I saw it was projected for Fall 2014. (We went this past Feb., and endured the tedious paperwork with BLS. As long as you give yourself about 6 weeks, and have the patience of Job, you can get a visa through BLS.) It seemed to be the most difficult for former citizens of India. They still needed to know that our grandparents were US-born US Citizens.

brk01

Thanks. Trip is rather soon -- need to leave in early June. Hence my reluctance to take risk of BLS snafu and willingness to pay extra for more confidence. Question is whether Travisa can provide such confidence.

MmePerdu

I believe there's more chance of getting your visa on time using Travisa, than not using them. I'd do it now, though, rather than talk about it.

brk01

Right! Thanks.

jacketwatch

I would say get going as well. You have about a month and as poorly as BLS has performed I would advise to call travisa today!