Cox & Kings Global Services

terrible company. They never pick up their phone nor help when their website goes bad. They wont even refund your money if their website makes an error! If by a rare chance you get through to them, they are rude and don’t help you correctly. they make false promises. I have never encountered such a terrible company. I don’t even know why the indian government chose to work with such an incompetent organization. I am starting a
petition against this organization because customers can’t be defrauded out of their hard-​earned money while they don’t pick up their phones on working day (not holidays) or lie every time.
urge everyone to file a complaint:

If you have the option of getting your visa processing done elsewhere run from this place as fast as you can. The Indian government seems to be penalizing people who were born in India by forcing them to use Cox and Kings to renunciate their citizenship. I left the country at such a young age I didn’t have any proof of Indian citizenship so it was incredibly hard to get my visa. If you must go through this nightmare start the visa process at least 4 months before you travel.
In order to get my visa the Indian consulate wanted to see a birth certificate which I did not have, or they wanted a ration card which I did not have, or they wanted a school certificate which I did not have. Desperate and worried that I would have to cancel my trip, I made my elderly parents go to the government offices in India to track down my birth certificate. They waited in line for 3 hours to find out that I did not have a birth certificate. I later found out through a lawyer that birth certificates were optional in India before 1970. I finally found out that there is a form called the non-​availability of birth certificate form which you can get but Cox and Kings never mentioned this. I was calling them every day to track my status and got really concerned when I read about all the passports they had lost in the past. The fact that I was a US citizen did not matter. The one good thing I can say is that Cox and Kings did ask me to write a detailed letter explaining why I was having trouble obtaining my documents. Maybe this letter was why the consulate took mercy on me? I don’t know but the entire process was maddening and Kafkaesque.
Meanwhile, my non-​Indian husband who was born in the US and my children who are also both US citizens were granted their visas in a week’s time. Aside from the troubles I had getting my visa, Cox and King also managed to lose one of our notarized documents. They are answering their phone calls in a call center in India so the people answering the phones have no idea where your documents might be. The website is outdated and hard to use especially if you are having them ship your documents via their fedex. Also, they do not require a signature when delivering the package so be careful that your passport doesn’t get stolen from your doorstep after Fedex delivers it.

Online my visa is ready but it says to follow the instructions in the email that you have received. I haven’t received any email from them! Additionally, I try calling the 2 numbers and they keep dropping the calls once I get to the 15 mins + wait time. Incredibly bad follow up, adds a lot of tension to the whole travel process. Does not leave a good impression of India if this is how the visa centers in America are.

Absolutely worse experience possible. I followed through all ridiculous steps one by one and at the time of the payment the page crashed, my card got charged though and i got an email as well. Now i have no idea what happened to my application because i am no longer able to login to my account. No one answers the phone because they work only monday to friday then why not shut your site on saturday and sunday so people like me do not have to suffer through this nightmare. You guys you really need to fix your website, it is the most horrible experience, and on top of that you want all documents to be notarized. Just for the record this is NOT India, it costs money to get things notarized. Why in the world do you require so many documents. At this time i am stuck, i have no idea what to do, because the payment is done, i have not printed anything, i do not know how to get the shipping labels, how to get the payment receipts, where all my forms are! WHAT A PATHETIC experience — if you are going to have a website make it work properly. This is not a JOKE this is a serious matter we are submitting sensitive information on your website not playing around on facebook for god sake!

The customer service is awful here. They will talk down you and not help you at all. I filled out my application for an Indian Tourist visa but had trouble using the online payment system. I called customer service and explained that I tried using Mozilla, Chrome and Internet Explorer to make my payment but all three search engines kept spinning without moving to the next screen. I wanted to know if I missed a step or if I was doing something wrong. Pretty much the guy on the phone had better things to do than to help me — his answer was that I didn’t know how to use the internet and I should just send a check in. I tried to explain again what my issue was but he was too busy. I maintained my professionalism throughout the phone call but he decided he would hang up with me after a 2 minute phone call than help me. I’m really regretting my decision to go to India!

This is an updated review (See my original review below). So, just few hours after I wrote an email to the Consul General of India in Houston complaining about CKGS, they suddenly found my package. I got an email from the Unit Manager of CKGS Houston who had got my email fwded from the Consul general. The reason given to me was that USPS was having issues/​problems with CKGS (Wonder why is this so. Never heard anyone having any problem with USPS). According to them, USPS had delivered my package in a wrong mailbox not meant for CKGS and that 103 packages in total were found in the wrong mailbox. Now, I don’t know if I should believe this story but I am glad that they finally found my package and started the process! Finger crossed till I receive the passport with the visa stamp.
Few lessons learned — 1. Always send passport through fedex brought through CKGS as they recommend it (few bucks extra) and have a tie up with them. However, I have no problems with USPS.
2. Complain to all possible authorities as you can.
3. Get in touch with people who have had similar issues or issues with CKGS (I got in touch with lot of people on Unilocal who had faced problems with CKGS). So thank you Unilocal

The absolute worst experience of my life. Incompetent beyond belief. My Passport was rejected for supposedly not having enough pages for their Visa. They immediately rejected it and insisted I pay an additional 190 dollars to have it re processed. It took 7 weeks to have my Passport returned after multiple requests and having to fill out many forms.
I finally threatened them with legal action. Incompetent and rude. Who would ever go through all of this hassle and incompetence to go to India is beyond me! Never again

The next day that I had published my original review, a representative from Cox & Kings contacted me regarding the concerns I had stated in my original review, primarily my issue with the courier fees.
The representative explained to me that it is highly encouraged for all clients to opt-​in for the courier services for an additional $ 15 (even though during my initial visit, the clerk that processed my application made it seem that it was a mandatory service). However, I explained to him that I lived in New York City and was able to pick-​up my passport in-​person. He stated that they made «exceptions» and allowed me to pick-​up my passport in-​person; in addition, the company credited the $ 15 that I originally paid for courier fees.

I would give negative stars if I could. This is regarding the Chicago Cox and KIngs by the way, not NY. I am unable to find the Chicago Cox and Kings on Unilocal (with good reason, they don’t deserve any ratings). My case is a simple conversion of existing PIO to OCI which should have taken less than 60 days. It’s been over 3 months and I have not received my card. A month ago, I got a very disturbing email saying my documents had been resubmitted for deficiencies. This was after I got a message saying my OCI had been printed and was in transit from India to Chicago. When I called to ask what the deficiencies were, I was told ti «ignore» the message and to send my passport in fro Matchup. I walked in my Passport for the match up and was assured I would get my OCI in 3 – 5 business days. It has been over 3 weeks. I get no response to my emails to the consulate or CKGS, so I walked to the CKKGS office last week around 4:30 and was told my OCI would arrive by the 6 PM courier. I wait for 2 hours and am told at 6:30 my OCI was not yet ready. Could they not have told me this earlier rather than make me wait 2.5 hours? What is the point of having a tracking number and automating all this information if they cannot track status online?
When I was waiting at CKGS last week, I counted at least 10 CKGS staff supposedly «working». Except for maybe 2, the others were giggling, laughing, chatting and chasing each other around like it was a frat house There were 25 – 30 of us waiting, some of us over 2 hours. If each of the CKGS employees had taken care of 2 – 3 applicants instead of goofing around, our wait times would have been significantly reduced,
I got my PIO card through the CKGS predecessor Travisa in just 3 – 4 days, 2 years ago, Several friends got their OCI through Travisa in less than 3 weeks. The Travisa office was extremely professional — each employee working in a booth, and quickly handling each applicant and moving the line along. It’s a shame Travisa has been replaced by these incompetents.
Now my passport is stuck with these guys, and every day I am told my «OCI will come next week» — that elusive «week» does not seem to ever arrive. I have to travel internationally on work and personal reasons and will have to now apply for a duplicate passport.
CKGS employees have scant regard for the anxiety and stress they are causing the applicants, several with families 10,000 miles away, desperate for their papers so they can travel to their homeland.

I don’t have the words strong enough to describe how much I despise the customer service here.
I can tell you how the visa application process online is not well laid out, leaving you confused and nearly helpless during the process.
I can tell you how they never communicated the fact that my young child’s thumbprint has to be in the upper right part of the application or it could get rejected (seriously, tell me exactly where that is documented exactly like that).
I can also tell you the extreme frustration I felt when I found out after traveling two hours to the office and paying tolls and parking, only to find out I had a Washington form and not a New York form, therefore I had to start over (it’s the exact same info required on both forms, I find this complication of the process unnecessary and inexcusable).
But… Here is what will totally show you this company’s sheer incompetence.
We went up specifically to straighten out my wife’s renunciation of her Indian citizenship which we were told had to be done so my two year old kid could get a Visa.
The agent at the desk looked surprised, and told us we didn’t have to do that in this case. But since she needed to eventually renounce it anyway, go ahead and do it there for a $ 60 fee. But she didn’t need it for our son’s visa application.
And now, the email we received word for word from CKGS when we asked this question before driving up.
«As your son is US born and needs to apply for Entry visa application, you need to provide both parents proof of Renunciation.»
And that agent had the gall to imply that our problems were our fault. Yes, she actually used those words when I presented the «wrong form».
Maybe it’s you that needs to learn your own job. Because of this, we no longer trust the directions we are receiving from anyone there.
CKGS is an embarrassment. It’s like they don’t even realize how flawed and confusing their system is. I’m still not done dealing with them, and it will be a happy day when I no longer have to.

We had no trouble in getting a visa for our minor child.
The website and instructions are a little confusing hence minus one star. I read the FAQ, sample application, called the help desk a couple of times to ensure our application was complete and all the required documents were attached, notarized.
I chose to take a appointment, but you can also walk in if an appointment is not available. The time for walkin is 9 AM to 2PM. My husband was able to submit the documents and get out in half hour. They did not allow us to pick up the passport, so we ended up choosing FEDEX to get the passport back.
We got periodic updates via email. We submitted my son’s passport on Wednesday, the visa was approved on Thursday and we received the passport back on Monday. The process went super quick and smooth for us.

If I could give negative stars for the competency of this agency it would make for a better review. I figured this would be the place to vent my frustration for what happened today. I applied for an OCI application and even scheduled an appoint to SUBMIT my application at CKGS. I got an appoint time between 10−11am for July 22^nd, 2015 and promptly got there a little earlier than 10am thinking I could drop off my application and go back to work. I got a ticket# D411 to be precise that had a time stamp of 9:58 am.
I walked in and saw that they had 10 counters and figured this could be a breeeze. I figured that I could SUMBIT my application and I would be done in 30 mins. I guess I was wrong to even have such high expectations. With the 10 counters they had, they were accepting OCI applications only at 2 counters. 3 counters were accepting applications for Indian visas and the remaining 5 COUNTERS were EMPTY. Let me repeat that 2 FREAK’N COUNTERS for accepting OCI applications. After waiting for an agonizing 2 HOURS and 15 MINUTES I was finally able to get to the counter at 12:15pm to SUBMIT my application even after getting an appointment slot for 10−11am. The 2 hours I was waiting it took them on average of accepting OCI applications at the rate of 4 applications in an hour.
Why even have appointment slots to drop off OCI applications that say 10 spots are available for a given time slot when you can process only 4 in an hour. Does Unilocal give out rewards for incompetency because CKGS would be on the top of that list.

No need to make appointment if u go early between
9−11am. Today July15 I was pissed off by lady on desk.2
She did discrimination and races. not honestly
So mean. Be careful people. Unprofessional staff.

After the nightmare that was BLS (I waited for four weeks after submitting my tourist visa application, only to be told they lost my application and I had to resubmit, thereby having to cancel my flights and hotels), Cox and Kings was… not terrible.
The online application is a bit horrible because you can’t make changes after you submit. The website is also unclear on what you need to submit for an employment visa for unpaid NGO work.
They also said on the website that the last two pages do not count as visa pages, but what they really mean is three pages. This can cause large problems.
The wait was not terrible with an appointment. They refused to allow me to pick up my visa and insisted that they mail it to me. But it only took about one business day for it to be approved.
They also refuse to tell you if your visa is approved or not until it is physically in your possession, which is very frustrating because it takes time to get to mailed to you.
Is it a fun process? no. Is it annoying and frustrating? yes, but it could be so, so much worse. It’s also across the street from Doughnut Plant if you are into that kind of thing.

Came panicked after being rejected for business visa three times via CIBT. Doolaries/​Michelle was extremely helpful and reassuring and kind.
I had my paperwork already complete. This is faster than CIBT if you’re willing to take time off. Comfortable waiting area though the ticket speaker is soft and you can miss your ticket number if you’re not paying attention.
No cell phones are allowed so bring a book or puzzles.

All of the below reviews cover the numerous failures of this agency. They took 6 months to issue my OCI, charged me double for the courier service (still waiting for a refund) and then DROPPED OFF MY PASSPORT AT THE WRONG ADDRESS. I felt sick knowing a starnger was in possession of my passport and had to ring the person’s doorbell myself to get it back.
I reported them to the BBB but they, not surprisingly, did not respond. They should be shut down

This is my fourth Indian visa, so I’ve been through Travisa, the Kafkaesque nightmare that was applying in person at BLS, and now Cox and Kings. It might partially be because I was applying at a time when not many others are traveling (March), but this was by far the easiest. Website was clear, and easy to navigate, though there were some important pieces of info buried in the FAQ (e.g. apparently Americans shouldn’t put our social security number as our national ID, but leave it blank). There were a few things that it was unclear if I needed to print (e.g. undertaking letter for my employer), but did it anyway, better safe than sorry. In general, just follow the checklist that they give you and check it two or three times. Lots of signatures that you don’t want to forget.
Got there at 845 for a 9 am appointment, waited in the lobby until one of the staff came down at 905. He called OCI holders first, then those with appointments, and finally walkins. I had an appointment and a few who had gotten there after me jumped me in the queue, but not a big deal. Got upstairs, at which point I took a number and waited for one of the windows to open, dmv style. Pretty comfortable seating area with more than enough seats. They also had stations for printing documents and taking photos that seemed pretty user-​friendly, but fortunately I didn’t have to use. Only had to wait about 30 minutes to get called. The person was friendly, courteous, and most importantly, familiar with my unusual class of visa, whereas BLS had previously messed it up. She also pointed out somewhere I hadn’t signed, thankful for that!
The pickup was definitely more chaotic, though I got out in about an hour and a half. A few suggestions for Cox and Kings:
— By far the biggest slowdown is from when other people are picking up passports for others. NOTE TO FUTURE APPLICANTS — if this happens, even for a wife or husband, and even if they submitted the application together, it is necessary for the person picking up a passport for someone else to have a signed note from that person giving permission. The person at the desk wasted a ton of time repeatedly arguing with/​explaining the policy to people. This should be listed more clearly in the pick up email. It would also work better if the guard downstairs checks this as people come in and explains the policy, since when the desk person does it at the time of pick-​up, it wastes the time of everyone waiting.
— Better signs for how to drop-​off documents as you come in, was unnecessarily confusing
— It seemed like it took a long time to retrieve the passports. I’m guessing that they do not sort them as they come back from the embassy, which was why this took so long, but I suspect that would be a big time saver.
I can’t give a 4 given that I know a number of people who had to cancel important trips due to errors and problems at Cox&Kings last summer (2014). But it certainly does seem like they have improved, I was generally pleased.

I know this is one review that is unlikely to make a difference. But if Unilocal is a place to vent and a listening post for an account of your travails, Cox & Kings deserves a commentary.
Continuing in the tradition of outsourced providers – the previous one was BLS – Cox is an abject failure at being the sole provider of visas to India. Go here to see applicants at various levels of frustration and helplessness. The process is complex, and the staff here do not help make it easier. A far cry from what one might hear Narendra Modi talk about.
When I had to get an updated stamp on my passport, BLS responded six months after my application, stating that they had taken the wrong fee amount from me, but that now I should deal with Cox as the new provider. It is impossible to get through to them by phone and the appointment system is messy and unpredictable.
I have to eventually deal with Cox to get my passport fixed, but dread the real possibility of a repeat experience of BLS. Is the Government of India taking notice of what New Yorkers are going through?

Though I expected the worst, I was pleased with my experience. I made an online appointment two weeks in advance and figured that because today is Christmas Eve, the line would be short. I’m not sure what it’s usually like, but I arrived at 8:51am and there were approximately 20 people on line. As it turned out, only 2 of us had appointments and that got us upstairs before the others on line.
There were another 15 people or so upstairs, but I was processed and out the door by 9:22am. My application was for an employment visa so my employer had taken care of all of the paperwork.
Hopefully picking up my passport will be as painless.
Tips: go early; be prepared; make an appointment; they take credit cards, but not American Express; expect the worst and hope for the best.

If you are about to pull your hair out from figuring out the application process for an Indian tourist Visa, see below:
1– You don’t need anything more than the online application form, order form, one 2×2 photo, passport, and a copy of your driver’s license. They are in the middle of revising their website, which lists about a thousand more documents (like Additional Particulars form, copy of passport, utility bills, etc) than you actually need. On the application form, be meticulous. There’s an example of a filled out application on the site; don’t ignore it like I did. Know that things like «National ID» mean «social security number.»
2. Get there as early as possible, especially if you are a walk-​in. I got on line at 8am (opens at 8:30am) as a walk-​in and had about 50 people ahead of me. Okay, not bad, I thought. NO. I left more than 4 hours later, at 12:30pm.
3. The people who work here are actually nice and not robotic like someone else wrote. The guy who helped me was really sweet and fixed an error I had on my application form. They will point out major errors to you that could be a problem in your application. I asked for his name, but I don’t remember it now. He had gelled hair and a goatee. He was GREAT. The manager came out and told everyone that if they like, they are welcome to leave to get food and return. The security guard works hard to keep the place moving.
4. Severely understaffed. Prepare to be here for at least 4 hours if you don’t have an appointment. They move extremely slow. Bring a book.
5. About the actual place — you are allowed to use your phone… don’t listen to the Unilocaler who said you’re not. There are a couple of outlets available for use. The women’s bathroom door makes the worst screeching noise, and to hear that 30 times an hour for 4 hours will give me nightmares. The actual bathrooms are very clean.
6. I met lots of Indians and picked their brains about India. Really enjoyed that part!
7. They say pick-​up is usually 3 – 5 business days after the day you dropped it off (unless you’re a criminal or something). Mine was ready 1 business day after! The pick-​up process is an hour, but it’s just as brutal as drop-​off because you’re waiting for 50 minutes with no idea what is going on, and then they call out the names to give out the passports for the last 10 minutes. It’s a bizarre process.
8. The phone number never worked for me. However, when I emailed, I got an answer back that night around 1am (obviously from an office in India).
9. Appointments take about 2 weeks to get. But if you are in a rush, walk in.
I have to give it two stars because of the total lack of efficiency. They need to hire more people so the process doesn’t take so long (the Brazilian consulate took 45 minutes during World Cup season, people!) and they need to fix all of the errors on the site — which is what everyone relies on before going!