Indian Embassy in US to accept online applications for visa, passport, OCI services from today Nov 04, 2020.

Indian Embassy in US to accept online applications for visa, passport, OCI services from today The Indian Embassy at Washington DC, US will accept online applications for visa, Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), renunciation, passport and Global Entry Programme (GEP) services through a new service provider, VFS Global, with effect from today (November 4). The Embassy release stated, "With effect from 4 November 2020 (12:01 AM Eastern Standard Time), Embassy of India, Washington DC will accept online applications for OCI, Renunciation, Passport and GEP services through new service provider, VFS Global." https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/industry/article/indian-embassy-in-us-to-accept-online-applications-for-visa-passport-oci-services-from-today/677083

Attention: Indian Passport Applications are now processed by BLS International

New Passport Service Provider Appointed

BLS International Services Ltd will be the new service provider for all Indian Passport Services in the USA w.e.f. May 07, 2013. The Services of the current service provider VFS Global Ltd will be terminated w.e.f. May 07, 2013 at all Embassy/Consulate locations in USA. VFS Global Ltd will continue to receive passport applications in person until May 6 and by mail until May 3, 2013. Those applying after those dates may submit their applications to new service provider. Their website and location details are given below:

Website  : http://www.blsindia-usa.com

(1) Washington DC  : 800 K Street NW Suite # MR-12 Washington DC 20001 

(2) New York  : 28 West 30th Street Suite 202 New York 10001

(3) Chicago  : 29 East Madison Street, Suite # 1203, Chicago IL 60602

(4) San Francisco : 4837, Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118

(5) Atlanta  : 5775 Glenridge Drive Northeast,   Building B Suite # 390, Atlanta GA 30328

(6) Houston  : 9800 Northwest Fwy, Suite 602, Houston TX 77092

Contact email of BLS International Services are as under:

The temporary contact numbers for the New York office of BLS International are:  2028051264, 9176602747, 3476816005, 9174637157.

Bls Call Center No (Passport Inquiry) is 201-205-2096 for New York

Applications submitted to VFS before May 6, 2013 can be tracked on the BLS International website at http://blsindia-usa.com/trackappvfs.php.

OVERSEAS CITIZEN CARD (OCI) AND PIO CARD ARE LIKELY TO BE MERGED

Breakout news:
OVERSEAS CITIZEN CARD (OCI) AND PIO CARD ARE LIKELY TO BE MERGED

At the inaugural session of GOPIO/PBD, Minister for overseas Indian affairs (MOIA) Vayalar Ravi announced the merger of the Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and People of Indian Origin (PIO) to a single card. The minister made this announcement at the inaugural session of the 11th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), the NRI conclave that began in Kochi on January 7, 2013. In general, PIO cards are issued to Indians who have been staying abroad for couple of generations while OCI cards are given to those who are more recent migrants and have taken citizenships in other countries. The OCI cards are practically visas that enable its holders to enter India for an indefinite period, while PIO card holders have to apply for separate visas.
The merging of these two cards could make PIO card holders also eligible for the benefits that are enjoyed by OCI card holders. Minister Ravi said the proposed amendment to the Emigration Act 1983 had been circulated to other ministries for comments. Once the comments are received, the bill would be sent to the Prime Minister for approval. Subsequently the cabinet has to approve it before it is placed before the Parliament.

Source: http://www.onlinepassportphoto.com/OCI_vs_PIO.htm