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I had this brilliant idea that I can go submit my son's application for PIO card to the Indian Consulate in New York (as they were open). I assumed, today being Memorial day not many would show up (this had worked for me in 2002). Once I got to the Indian Consulate, I saw that the line was like the never ending Hanuman Tail. Having made the effort to get there, I thought I will stay and submit my kid's application by waiting in line . The line was similar to the Darma Darisanam (Free Darshan) in Tirupati. For some reason, I thought I heard the voices like "Jarugandi" (please move). Must've been the effect of the sun :).

After an hour and half of wait, I get in there at 10.30AM and go do the check for my document verification. The person checking the document says the following to me

1. I've to enter my wife's name (I wanted to ask her that isn't it enough that I am a Indian Citizen, why do you want my wife's details. For all you know, she could be an Italian Citizen and we all know Italians have better chance of ruling the country than Indians :). Anyway, better sense prevailed and I kept quiet).

2. You've to enter the details of the applicants Grandparents (when both the parents are Indian Citizen, why do you need Grandparents info was a logical question in my mind). Now, they need me to enter my parents Passport No. I've a tough time remembering my social :emcrook:. You want me to remember my parents Passport No?. I entered N/A and submitted it.

3. You need to have your Original Visa details and provide us a copy. Didn't know till today that INS and Indian Govt. have teamed up to check Employment Verification.:angry:

As the details about employment verification were not mentioned in the website, I didn't take the copies. Since, I had the originals I had to go get copies (I knew that my number wouldn't be called for next 2 hours). After searching almost everywhere near Central Park, finally found out there is a Xerox Copy machine on 64th street and Lexington (it's really tough to find).

Now, the xerox shop guy is a smart Desi. He knows that since there are no xerox shops around and charges .25 cents / copy ( I was wondering what would returning_indian do in such cases..would he bargain or not?). Anyway, took 6 copies (as my luck would have it my current H1 expires on June 5th and the next one starts on June 6th. Took copies of each and everything).

mn_op: if you are looking for any business opportunities, try opening a xerox shop near the embassy. You can get back your investment in 15 days.

Finally, my turn came around 2PM, I handed over the application and asked what documents she needs. I got an answer that it's there in the website (All I wanted to do was to help her and give the documents in the order she wanted). Anyway, after paying the fees I asked the person "when will I get the PIO Card"?. Her answer "I have written it clearly in the receipt I 've given you, why don't you check it there". So, I waited at the counter and verified what was written. She could've answered "June 3rd", saved some time and I would've moved away. As they say "Common sense is something which is not very common" :).

Another joke is that for passport renewal, you need to provide Nationality Verification form (heard this from couple of people who came to renew their Indian passports).

That finished my visit to the Zoo , sorry the embassy. The lines / crowd / behaviour and the wait was reminiscent of that of Tirupati. Only Lord Venkateswara was missing (probably he is there too, otherwise I've no idea how this consulate can function).

Seriously, let me write to the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs they need to do something about this consulate and to top it all, there is no Handicap access and shade for the little ones. On a sunny day, it's sad to see the kids wait for almost 2 hours ( I didn't take my son). This is just ridiculous.

farfromhome;292808I had this brilliant idea that I can go submit my son's application for PIO card to the Indian Consulate in New York (as they were open). I assumed, today being Memorial day not many would show up (this had worked for me in 2002). Once I got to the Indian Consulate, I saw that the line was like the never ending Hanuman Tail. Having made the effort to get there, I thought I will stay and submit my kid's application by waiting in line . The line was similar to the Darma Darisanam (Free Darshan) in Tirupati. For some reason, I thought I heard the voices like "Jarugandi" (please move). Must've been the effect of the sun :).

After an hour and half of wait, I get in there at 10.30AM and go do the check for my document verification. The person checking the document says the following to me

1. I've to enter my wife's name (I wanted to ask her that isn't it enough that I am a Indian Citizen, why do you want my wife's details. For all you know, she could be an Italian Citizen and we all know Italians have better chance of ruling the country than Indians :). Anyway, better sense prevailed and I kept quiet).

2. You've to enter the details of the applicants Grandparents (when both the parents are Indian Citizen, why do you need Grandparents info was a logical question in my mind). Now, they need me to enter my parents Passport No. I've a tough time remembering my social :emcrook:. You want me to remember my parents Passport No?. I entered N/A and submitted it.

3. You need to have your Original Visa details and provide us a copy. Didn't know till today that INS and Indian Govt. have teamed up to check Employment Verification.:angry:

As the details about employment verification were not mentioned in the website, I didn't take the copies. Since, I had the originals I had to go get copies (I knew that my number wouldn't be called for next 2 hours). After searching almost everywhere near Central Park, finally found out there is a Xerox Copy machine on 64th street and Lexington (it's really tough to find).

Now, the xerox shop guy is a smart Desi. He knows that since there are no xerox shops around and charges .25 cents / copy ( I was wondering what would returning_indian do in such cases..would he bargain or not?). Anyway, took 6 copies (as my luck would have it my current H1 expires on June 5th and the next one starts on June 6th. Took copies of each and everything).

mn_op: if you are looking for any business opportunities, try opening a xerox shop near the embassy. You can get back your investment in 15 days.

Finally, my turn came around 2PM, I handed over the application and asked what documents she needs. I got an answer that it's there in the website (All I wanted to do was to help her and give the documents in the order she wanted). Anyway, after paying the fees I asked the person "when will I get the PIO Card"?. Her answer "I have written it clearly in the receipt I 've given you, why don't you check it there". So, I waited at the counter and verified what was written. She could've answered "June 3rd", saved some time and I would've moved away. As they say "Common sense is something which is not very common" :).

Another joke is that for passport renewal, you need to provide Nationality Verification form (heard this from couple of people who came to renew their Indian passports).

That finished my visit to the Zoo , sorry the embassy. The lines / crowd / behaviour and the wait was reminiscent of that of Tirupati. Only Lord Venkateswara was missing (probably he is there too, otherwise I've no idea how this consulate can function).

Seriously, let me write to the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs they need to do something about this consulate and to top it all, there is no Handicap access and shade for the little ones. On a sunny day, it's sad to see the kids wait for almost 2 hours ( I didn't take my son). This is just ridiculous.

Is it still in the basement? I had been there in 2004 as some bank in India wanted to know if my MIL was still alive with us in USA for some pension thingy. The entrance was itself conjusted and the sole guard had trouble managing the crowd. Not a very good experience. I think we Indians are just used to cramp places be it in USA or India. I remember walking couple of blocks to get the copies because the copier was broken in the consulate or something. The desi copier guy was cool, he was from kashmir/north India or something. I still remember he gave me a discount for the copies without me asking. See bargain/discount just don't leave Indians alone...;-)

Seems like FFH had quite a memorable memorial day!

Mumbai_2009;292861Is it still in the basement? I had been there in 2004 as some bank in India wanted to know if my MIL was still alive with us in USA for some pension thingy. The entrance was itself conjusted and the sole guard had trouble managing the crowd. Not a very good experience. I think we Indians are just used to cramp places be it in USA or India. I remember walking couple of blocks to get the copies because the copier was broken in the consulate or something. The desi copier guy was cool, he was from kashmir/north India or something. I still remember he gave me a discount for the copies without me asking. See bargain/discount just don't leave Indians alone...;-)

Yes, it's still in the basement and still managed by the sole guard (I thought Indian economy was improving). There are no copy machines in the consulate. Instead of charging $175 for Surrender Certificate, they can put a few copy machines there and make more money. :)

farfromhome;292889 they can put a few copy machines there and make more money. :)

Funny, I told the same thing to my friend/colleague who had similar experience just a few days back :-)..

farfromhome;292889Yes, it's still in the basement and still managed by the sole guard (I thought Indian economy was improving). There are no copy machines in the consulate. Instead of charging $175 for Surrender Certificate, they can put a few copy machines there and make more money. :)

Thats Indian govt buddy. They would have to get thousand approvals before they get refill for ink and then there will be corruption in its procurement. They should subcontract most of their services to private companies and get out of the way.

farfromhome;292808Anyway, after paying the fees I asked the person "when will I get the PIO Card"?. Her answer "I have written it clearly in the receipt I 've given you, why don't you check it there". So, I waited at the counter and verified what was written. She could've answered "June 3rd", saved some time and I would've moved away.

FFH - Are they are processing the PIO application in 3-4 working days?

I have to get a PIO card for my kid as the older Indian visa would be expiring during our stay in India. I am thinking abt mailing in the app with the hope that that they would mail it back in 15 working days as seems to be the norm. 3-4 days gives me peace of mind.

cyberabadi;293445FFH - Are they are processing the PIO application in 3-4 working days?

I have to get a PIO card for my kid as the older Indian visa would be expiring during our stay in India. I am thinking abt mailing in the app with the hope that that they would mail it back in 15 working days as seems to be the norm. 3-4 days will give me some peace of mind.

That's correct. I am supposed to get the PIO card by tomorrow or should receive it latest by Mail on Saturday. Will confirm once I receive it.

See below.

Ordinarily, it takes about 4 working days to issue a PIO card, but this schedule does not apply to cases where approval is required from authorities in India.

For applications sent by mail, a reasonable amount of time for mailing and its return may be added before making enquiries with us.

Source : http://indiacgny.org/php/showContent.php?linkid=180&partid=102&sub=sub7

cyberabadi:

I still haven't received the PIO card for my son. I was expecting today (if they had mailed it by June 3rd/ 4th as they had promised). It takes only 39 minutes to get to my place from the NY consulate. I had requested this by Express Mail. In any case, will give them 1 more week and see what happens. Will keep you posted.

Note : If you are sending by Express Mail, please retain a copy of the Express Mail Label for tracking purposes. I just found out today that it's not listed in the receipt they give us. Embassy does give their own receipt number...but that doesn't have any tracking on their website though :(.