Important and urgent request to GOI and EOI, Washington, DC

We respectfully request VFS Global and the Embassy of India, Washington, D.C. to review the recent change in the process for submitting pending or missing documents.

Earlier, applicants could upload pending documents directly through the online portal, pay a small printing fee (about $1 per page), and have those documents instantly available to the processing team. This system was simple, efficient, and helped both applicants and VFS staff move OCI, visa, and passport applications forward more quickly.

However, the online submission option appears to have been discontinued, and applicants are now required to send pending documents only by courier (self or one sold by VFS).

This change has created several practical challenges:

• It is time-consuming and costly for applicants.
• It adds unnecessary dependence on physical courier services.
• In East Coast winter conditions, applicants are expected to visit FedEx, UPS, or USPS locations for minor document submissions.
• There is a higher risk of delays, lost packages, or mismatched documents.
• Many applicants report that documents sent by courier are not matched to their files within the 21-day window, leading to rejections and the need to reapply with new fees.

At a time when Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi is promoting technology, innovation, and digital transformation, it is concerning to see such an outdated process affecting applicants in the United States.

We respectfully urge VFS Global and the Embassy to reconsider this policy and restore the option for online submission of pending or missing documents. A digital upload system is faster, more reliable, and aligned with the Government of India’s vision of simplified, technology-driven services.

We hope the concerned authorities will review this issue and provide a practical, applicant-friendly solution.

Regards

Ranjeet Singh Champawat
The Ultimate Travel & Visa Company