Update: Visa delivery rules continue to change

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? India’s official visa outsourcing partner in the United States, Cox and Kings Global Services (CKGS), has taken steps to allow for visa and passport delivery to business addresses or third-party locations after initially saying that visas and passports would be returned to the address listed on the applicant’s visa application form and corresponding “proof of jurisdiction” document.

What does the change mean? While the shift in process is a welcome change, the situation remains fluid. Recent incidents indicate that CKGS may return documents directly to the residential address listed on the application form without prior confirmation from the applicant. It is also possible that CKGS will contact applicants directly to confirm the delivery arrangements.

• Implementation time frame: Ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: All Indian visa applications submitted through a third-party to the U.S. offices of CKGS.
• Who is affected: Anyone applying for Indian visas in the U.S. through a third-party.
• Impact on processing times: The changes are not expected to alter processing times themselves, but delivery of completed documents may be delayed if applicants are unable to retrieve their shipment.

Background: CKGS recently moved to bar third-party visa pick-up from their offices and indicated at the time that it would return completed documents to the address provided on the visa application. Going forward, however, BAL expects to be able to make arrangements on behalf of clients through CKGS’ website for the return of documents to the applicant’s preferred address, whether a residential address, business address or third-party address.

BAL Analysis: BAL will continue to engage with CKGS on this issue. While BAL will work with CKGS to arrange for document delivery to the applicant’s preferred address, the situation could continue to evolve in the coming days and weeks. Those with questions about their applications or who have been contacted directly by CKGS should feel free to contact BAL.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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