VFS: How will I get my passport back after the interview?

By gunnalagSelf Management

How will I get my passport back after the interview?

Q1. How will I get my passport back after the interview?
A.
Once your visa is approved; Blue Dart courier will return your passport to you at the address in India specified by you. Allow up to 7 business days for delivery after VFS received your Passport from Embassy/Consulate.. Please note that passports will be delivered only at the address specified by you, at the time of scheduling your interview. VFS or Blue Dart staffs are not authorized to change / modify your delivery address. The cost of the courier is included in the service charge. To track status of your passport:
clip_image001 Go to home page click on link ‘Track Your Passport ’ and follow the instructions.
clip_image001[1] Send a mobile phone SMS message to 57333 and type VISA (space) US (space) (e.g. VISA US A123456))
Note: The charges for SMS service are as given below:

Mobile Operator Cost Per SMS
Airtel, Idea, Reliance & Spice Mobile Rs. 10/-
BSNL Rs. 5/-
MTNL Rs.9/-
Vodafone Rs.12/-
Tata Telecom Rs. 13/-
Optionally, you can collect your passport across the counter via the ‘Counter Passport Collection ’

Note : Counter Passport Collection is an optional service to facilitate applicants to personally collect their passports. Using this service does not entail refund of any service charges paid by the applicant.
Q2. What is ‘Counter Passport Collection’ and ‘VFS HAL Location’?
A. Counter Passport Collection: It is a facility whereby you can collect your passport prior to it being couriered to you. Passports will be handed over across the counter ONLY at the VFS application centre in the city where you were interviewed.
VFS HAL Location: US visa applicants can now collect their passports from a VFS HAL office if the pincode provided by them is not serviceable by the Blue Dart courier service. Please select your choice of city from the options provided.
Note: Passports will be held at the VFS HAL Location for collection only for 7 working days. If not collected within the specified time period your passport will be returned back to the Embassy / Consulate.
B. To collect your passport across the VFS counter for both Counter Passport Collection’ & ‘VFS HAL Location’ , you must carry :
clip_image001[2] The original HDFC fee receipt along with a clear photocopy. Immigrant visa applicants need to produce original and photocopy of the VFS receipt in place of the HDFC receipt.
clip_image001[3] Your original government recognized photo id. E.g Pan card, Driving License, Voter’s id card along with a photocopy.
C. If a representative is collecting the passport on your behalf, even in case of family members they MUST carry:
1. The original HDFC fee receipt along with a clear photocopy. Immigrant visa applicants need to produce original and photocopy of the VFS receipt in place of the HDFC receipt.
2. The original government recognized photo id .Eg: Pan Card , Driving license or Voter’s id card of the representative along with a photocopy
3. Original authority letter signed by the applicant, authorizing the representative to collect the passport. The authority letter must contain the following information :
clip_image001[4] Full name of the representative as mentioned on the photo id card.
clip_image001[5] Name of the applicant whose passport is to be collected.
clip_image001[6] HDFC Receipt number of applicant whose passport is to be collected. Immigrant visa applicants must mention the VFS receipt number on the letter.
In case the applicant is below 16 years of age, then the following documents would be required:
4. The original HDFC fee receipt along with a clear photocopy. Immigrant visa applicants need to produce original and photocopy of the VFS receipt in place of the HDFC receipt.
5. Original signed authority letter from either parent.
6. A clear photocopy of the government recognized photo id .Eg: Pan Card, Driving license, Voter’s id card of the parent who has signed the authority letter
7. The original government recognized photo id .Eg: Pan Card, Driving license of the representative.
Please note : In case of a group / family, a single authority letter with the required information of each of the applicant’s will be accepted.
We regret the inconvenience this might cause you however due to security concerns and to ensure the safe return of your passport, we will be unable to counter deliver the passport if any of the above mentioned documents are not available.
D. Please refer to the details and timings for collection in the 5 centres in India :
clip_image001[7] Applicants interviewed at the U.S.Embassy, New Delhi
Applicants may receive their passport in all probability the next working day after the interview. Most passports are returned within 2 – 3 business days of the interview.
clip_image001[8] Applicants interviewed at the U.S.Consulate, Chennai
Applicants may receive their passport in all probability the next working day after the interview. Most passports are returned within 2 – 3 business days of the interview.
clip_image001[9] Applicants interviewed at the U.S.Consulate, Mumbai
Applicants may receive their passport in all probability on the next working day of the interview and if not received, then the next working day. Most passports are returned within 2 – 3 business days of the interview.
clip_image001[10] Applicants interviewed at the U.S.Consulate, Kolkata
Applicants may receive their passport in all probability the next working day after the interview. Most passports are returned within 2 -3 business days of the interview.
clip_image001[11] Applicants interviewed at the U.S.Consulate, Hyderabad
Applicants may receive their passport in all probability the next working day after the interview. Most passports are returned within 2 -3 business days of the interview.
E. Refer to the chart below for the address and counter collection timings at the 5 centres in India
Application Centre VFS HAL Passport Collection Timings Counter Passport Collection Timings
New Delhi U.S. Visa Application centre, International Trade Tower, S-2 Level, Nehru Place, New Delhi – 110019 0800hrs – 1300hrs
& 1400hrs -1500hrs		 1600hrs-1700hrs
Jalandhar U.S. Visa Application centre, 3rd floor, The Axis, Near BMC Chowk, GT Road, Jalandhar- 144001 0800hrs – 1300hrs
& 1400hrs -1500hrs		 Not Applicable
Chandigarh U.S. Visa Application centre, SCO-186-187, Sector 8C, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh – 160009. 0800hrs – 1300hrs
& 1400hrs -1500hrs		 Not Applicable
Chennai U.S. Visa Application centre, No.14, New No.4, Sadasivam Street, Gopalapuram, Chennai – 600086. 0800hrs – 1300hrs
& 1400hrs -1500hrs		 1600hrs-1700hrs
Bangalore U.S. Visa Application centre, Unit No. 103, First Floor, Sophias Choice, NO. 7, St. Marks’s Road, Bangalore – 560 001 0800hrs – 1300hrs
& 1400hrs -1500hrs		 Not Applicable
Kochi U.S. Visa Application centre, 3C, South Point Hinton, Chittoor Road, Near Kasba Police Station, Kacheripady, Ernakulam – 682018 0800hrs – 1300hrs
& 1400hrs -1500hrs		 Not Applicable
Hyderabad U.S. Visa Application centre, 1-8-313 Second floor, ‘LINUS’, Chiran Fort Club Lane, Begumpeth, Hyderabad – 500016 0800hrs – 1300hrs
& 1400hrs -1500hrs		 1500hrs-1600hrs
Kolkata U.S. Visa Application centre, Om Towers, 14th floor, 32 Chowringhee Road, Next to Park Street Metro, Kolkata – 700 071. 0800hrs – 1300hrs

& 1400hrs -1500hrs

 1500hrs-1600hrs
Mumbai U.S. Visa Application centre, Tirupati Apartments, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Opp. Mahalakshmi Temple, Mumbai – 400026. 0800hrs – 1300hrs
& 1400hrs -1500hrs		 1700hrs – 1730hrs
Pune U.S. Visa Application centre, 106, Sohrab Hall 1st Floor, Tadiwala Road, Behind Pune Station Junction, Pune – 411001. 0800hrs – 1300hrs
& 1400hrs -1500hrs		 Not Applicable
Ahmedabad U.S. Visa Application centre, Gujarat Chambers Building, Shri Ambika Mills, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad – 380009. 0800hrs – 1300hrs
& 1400hrs -1500hrs		 Not Applicable

Important Notice
clip_image001[12] Passports will NOT be delivered across the counter at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
clip_image001[13] The time taken for a visa section to hand over the passport depends on the circumstances such as work load, intervening holidays etc. Hence, a definite turnaround time cannot be assured.
clip_image001[14] If the passport is not collected in person on the day when it is received from the Embassy / Consulate the same would be immediately couriered to the final destination. No passports are retained by VFS under normal circumstances.
clip_image001[15] To confirm whether your passport has been handed over to VFS by the US Embassy / Consulate, you may track your passport by clicking on the link ‘Track Passport Delivery’ on the website. The status on the VFS website gets updated only after we receive the passports from the Embassy / Consulate. There is no prior intimation given to VFS on the passports to be handed over for return delivery.
clip_image001[16] Refer to the chart above for the address and counter collection timings at the 5 centres in India.
Q3. How can I receive my passport earlier?
A. To get your passport earlier, you can use the ‘Counter Passport Collection’ facility. This facility allows you to collect your passport in person from the VFS Application Centre located in the city where you were interviewed. Please refer to detailed information about ‘Counter Passport Collection’ on this page.
Note: Counter Passport Collection is an optional service to facilitate applicants to personally collect their passports. Using this service does not entail refund of any service charges paid by the applicant.
Q4. How long after my passport is couriered, can I expect it to be delivered ?
A. Blue Dart delivers most passport within 3-4 working days from the time they are handed over. Please track delivery of your passport via SMS or on our website as explained above. If you have not received your passport after seven business days, please contact the U.S. Visa application Centre located in your city or call our help line numbers: 0120 6611411
Note : Applicant calling from overseas need to add the India Country Code (+91) followed by 120 6611411
Please note : We will be unable to assist you with the status of passports which have not been released by the Embassy / Consulate
Q5. What do I need to show when Blue Dart delivers the passport?
A. Blue Dart delivery of passport is Address Specific. There is no additional proof required for Blue Dart to deliver the passport at the address specified by you.
Note : Keeping in mind the security concerns you are advised to take personal delivery of the passport at the delivery address.
Q6. What is Bluedart Hold At location and how do I collect my passport from there?
A. Blue dart Hold At Location or HAL are the Blue Dart offices where you passports are held for delivery in case your address is not serviceable by Blue Dart. You are required to choose the most convenient HAL location (closest to your current residence or office) from the list displayed to you when scheduling your appointment. You will be shown the HAL offices available for collection after entering your passport delivery address in the system prior to confirming your interview appointment.
Passports will be held at the Blue Dart Location for collection only for 7 working days. If not collected within the specified time period your passport will be returned back to the Embassy / Consulate.
To collect your passport from the Blue Dart HAL location you must produce the following documents :
1. A clear photocopy of the HDFC Receipt. Immigrant visa applicants need to produce a copy of the VFS receipt in place of the HDFC receipt.
2. Your original government recognized photo id. e.g Pan card, Driving License, Voter’s Id card.
If a representative is collecting the passport on your behalf (even in case of family members) they must carry :
3. A clear photocopy of the HDFC Receipt. Immigrant visa applicants need to produce a copy of the VFS receipt in place of the HDFC receipt.
4. The original government recognized photo id .Eg: Pan Card, Driving license of the representative.
5. An authority letter signed by the applicant, authorizing the representative to collect the passport. The authority letter must contain the following information :
clip_image001[17] Full name of the representative as mentioned on the id card.
clip_image001[18] Name of the applicant whose passport is to be collected.
clip_image001[19] HDFC Receipt number of applicant whose passport is to be collected. Immigrant visa applicants must mention the VFS receipt number on the letter.
In case the applicant is below 16 years of age, then the following documents would be required :
6. A clear photocopy of the HDFC Receipt of the applicant. . Immigrant visa applicants need to produce a copy of the VFS receipt in place of the HDFC receipt.
7. Original signed authority letter from either parent.
8. A clear photocopy of the government recognized photo id .Eg: Pan Card, Driving license, Voter’s id card of the parent who has signed the authority letter
9. The original government recognized photo id .Eg: Pan Card, Driving license of the representative.
Please note: In case of a group / family, a single authority letter with the required information of each of the applicant’s will be accepted.
Blue Dart will be unable to counter deliver the passport if any of the above mentioned documents are not available.
Q7. What happens if there is no one to take delivery of passport at my address?
A. Blue Dart will attempt delivery of the passport only at the address provided by you when scheduling your interview. If unable to deliver, they will drop a ‘sorry card’. You are requested to contact Blue Dart immediately on receiving this card. If the passport is not delivered within 7 business days, it will be returned back to the Embassy / Consulate where you were interviewed. Please contact our helpline for further information.

VFS

By gunnalag

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15 thoughts on “VFS: How will I get my passport back after the interview?”

  2. Hi, Now days, You can not collect passport by hand delevery. Passport will be sent to your mailing address.(Adrress provided at Schedulig appointment or Adreee provided after visa interview,

    Reply

    1. Hi, I was interviewed on Jan 18th in Mumbai and gave the option to collect my passport personally in New Delhi. Till date I have not heard about any status. The VFS does not have any update on their site. Where can I find the status?

      Reply

    1. Hello Archana and chandra, I have similar situation, interviewed on Septemer 1 and stil not receive my passport. Is there any update from you which might be helpful to me? Have you received your passport?

      Reply

  4. attn; indian high commission please help me to renew my indian passport that expire on the year 2005 ( what is the procedure) i eagerly want to go to my home land to see my mother & my other family members that long time i never visit & also i never apply to any other (local,malaysia ) citizenship my name is humayoon kabir bin n.farouk holding local (red) I/c no 590808-71-5029 my birth date is 08-08-1959 my age now is 55 years my first passport no.i-291785 2nd passport no.j-909006 expired on 27-10-1979 3rd passport no u-026083 expired on 27-10-1984 4th passport no.w444603 expired on 08-01-1995 5th passport no.t-119292 expired on 27-02-2005.tq.

    Reply

  6. i have got the intimation to collect the passport of my mother from pune we stay at solapur can i get the phone no so that i can contact and go to pune

    Reply

  10. My ,mom’s visa intw was earlier today and went fine. The passport pick up location is Kochi centre. Is there a phone number of Kochi centre to enquire whether they received the passport? This helps mom to go and collect it once it is arrived.

    Reply

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