Public Notice regarding Consular Services Public Notice regarding Consular Services

Consulate General of India
Houston

Public Notice regarding Consular Services

1. The Consulate will accept online applications for OCI, Renunciation of Indian Citizenship, Passport, GEP, PCC(Indian Nationals Only) and Visa applications only through the Service Provider, VFS Global. Applicants would need to complete the applications on their website and send duly filled applications by post to the address given below: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind

Address: VFS Global, 1001 Texas Ave, Suite #550, Houston, TX 77002
(For above services, VFS has also commenced limited in-person appointments on their website)

2. Visas: The Government of India has decided to restore old long duration regular (paper) tourist visas for US nationals. Fresh issue of regular (paper) long-duration tourist visas has also been restored for US nationals.  In addition, applicants can also apply for e-tourist visas under the three options (one month, one year and five years). The process of obtaining e-visa (tourist, business, medical, medical attendant, conference) may be accessed at the following link:
E-Visa - https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

The applicant may note that the Consulate does not process e-visas and any enquiries in this regard will need to be made directly on the e-visa portal.

For regular tourist visa, emergency entry visa/other currently eligible categories (business, employment and medical), allowed to travel to India please access the link of VFS Global: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind

3. Miscellaneous Consular Services: Miscellaneous consular services [Attestation, Power of Attorney, Life Certificate, etc.] are rendered on the SEWA portal of the Ministry of External Affairs. The portal can be accessed at: http://indianconsularservices.mea.gov.in

The instructions for availing miscellaneous consular services can be accessed at: https://cgihouston.gov.in/pages/Mjkw

PCC (Foreigners only) application can be sent by post to the Consulate.

4. OCI: Rules for reissuance of OCI has been relaxed/ waived as below:

  • Person registered as OCI cardholder before age of 20 needs reissuance only once after crossing the age of 20
  • Person registered as OCI cardholder after the age of 20 do not need reissuance

However, certain documents would be needed to be uploaded from time to time as per details at: https://cgihouston.gov.in/pages/MjYx

5. Help lines: Please contact us for any query or assistance on the following help lines:

Helpline number: +1-713-626-2148
Emergency helpline number: +1-713-626-2149(for emergencies only)
Email: info.houston@mea.gov.in
Website: cgihouston.gov.in