Can't say of course but my lawyer said several people there had issues inre to not getting their visas processed on time. It seems slipshod

I sent a packet to BLS Houston to get a visa for myself (naturalized US citizen) and my husband (US citizen by birth) and so far ours is at least showing up as "under process" on the BLS website . But my in-laws, who are both US citizens by birth, seem to be facing the same situation as jennirose00. Have you heard anything new since? FedEx indicates that their packet was delivered 3 weeks ago, but there is no record of it on BLS. Of course I get absolutely no response for all my phone calls and emails. This is VERY frustrating! Can anyone please write back if you've had an update on your situation mentioned above?

So sorry to hear this. I will follow this and best of luck

Thanks, @jacketwatch. I may ask for your lawyer's contact if things get worse, that is if you wouldn't mind sharing it. I'll keep everyone here posted.

No problem. R U in Chicago area

I called my TA inre to a cruise but asked her about her company getting visas as they are a pretty big business. She said they use a co. called transitvisa or something like that and they can do India as well and that they are happy with their services. Give me a shout if you need the number.

Likely Travisa and I believe others have said they were the agency the Indian consulate used before but no longer. Maybe the TA hasn't gotten one done lately?

Given that the Indian consulate has contracted out to BLS, I would expect that travel agents, too, would have to go though BLS. As MmePerdu says, I expect they are referring to travisa, the previous contractor for the Indian consulate.

Good point. I'll double check.

Yes, BLS is unfortunately the only way to do visas etc. for India. I live in Denver, @jacketwatch, I'll keep you posted if I ever get through to someone there. What a nightmare!

Jacketwatch it appears that the consulates are only dealing with BLS and are not allowing third party visa expeditors for now. Unfortunately one has no choice but to through BLS.
We got our visas after three weeks but I called and emailed every day. I never got a reply except one call back from the consulate. Maybe they just didn't want to hear back from me or it just worked out.
Good luck!

Thanks guys. It appears that my TA said "transit visa" and it was actually "travisa"

Again good luck out there!

Update re BLS in Canada.I just picked up our passports with the visas from the courier today.It took a total of 9 days from when we mailed them out to Vancouver.Maybe our saving grace was the fact I got a call from their office a few days after I sent them out to say I had overpaid by $20 each for the return courier fees,and that I needed to send them a e-mail to allow them to cash the bank drafts.At that point I said no problem-keep the extra $-just get the visas processed and sent to us.The website is very confusing with regards to fees for mail-in visas.

In my attempt to get more attention to this problem, I have posted on the Indian consulate at NY's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Consu...06970816008847

The only one where we can post publicly on their timeline. I urge you to please go to this page and post your own comments or add to mine so we can get the Indian government's attention which we cannot on these forums.

Thanks in advance!

Update: Finally got a response from Esther for the first email
I wrote on Monday. I suspect they are so backlogged that she is just now responding to emails from 4 days ago. It wasn't much more than "let me check". I sincerely hope the packet isn't lost! I'll keep you all posted.

Got a call from the consulate this morning and they are looking into this! Fingers crossed!

We are US citizens and will travel to India in October. Our travel company is also quoting a high price for an Indian Visa. Travisa still has an operating website and appears ready to provide an Indian Visa for $60/Visa. Since Travisa seemed to have a good track record before, any concerns with using Travisa today? Thanks.

Mobile,
I believe that's not true. My understanding is that as of July 1, Travisa is no longer handling Indian visas. All Indian visas have to go through BLS.


Paule

Yes, it is very clear on the Travisa website that India visa processing is being transferred to BLS. Thank goodness we have a 10-year visa.

Mobile:

The way it's going it seems best to just pay the piper and get the visa.

Whatever you pay them it will be less than what I paid a lawyer which to me seems more and more like money well spent!