Atlanta Consulate introduces Cox & Kings team
(Left) Sumit Sharma of Cox & Kings Global Services, Consul General Ajit Kumar, and Viren Mayani. (Photo: Bytegraph)
The series of changes in vendors selected for Consular Visa services, (from Travisa to BLS and finally to Cox & Kings Global Services, CKGS) caused some confusion in the diaspora, especially since the changes happened within a short timeframe. The proactive Indian Consulate led by Ambassador Ajit Kumar, Consul General of India for the Southeastern USA in Atlanta, set up a meet-and-greet with the CKGS administration, to present their proposed services to the diaspora on the evening of September 19, 2014.
The Consulate was abuzz with leaders who came to personally get to know the CKGS team, in an attempt to help mediate the confusion in the minds of their community members, about visa and other consular processes. CKGS will provide Visa, OCI, PIO, and Renunciation Certificate support services. Indian Passport services will still be provided by BLS International Services.
Consul General Kumar first outlined the variety of services his office offers. A trendsetter, the Consul General described an innovative service this Consulate provides, an “open house” for non-visa consular services, daily from 10am – 12:30pm, Monday through Friday, for any person, without a required confirmed appointment. Moreover, for people who have traveled great distances from across States for such services, the Consulate strives to return their documents on the same day so that they are not inconvenienced for an overnight stay. The Consulate even provides emergency visas on holidays as well as working days.
CG Kumar also spoke of the announcement made by Prime Minister Modi in his speech in New York the weekend before, of the removal of the mandatory reporting to a police station, by any American citizen holding a valid Indian visa, who stays in India for more than 180 days straight, on any given visit. This change is very appealing to the Indian-Americans in the United States and gives further incentive to obtaining an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card.
CG Kumar then introduced Sumit Sharma, Regional Manager of CKGS for the Southeast. Sumit spoke of the tremendous support he has received from the Atlanta Consulate, which has made it feasible to process visas at a much faster rate. He agreed to the guest request of creating a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) sheet on their website which can also be hosted on the Consulate website. Sumit introduced the local CKGS team of agents directly responsible for processing applications. They stand firmly committed to maintain the global brand reputation of Cox & Kings. The evening adjourned with networking amongst the attendees and a superb dinner hosted by the Consulate for all guests.
Website Bonus Feature
Links:
The Atlanta Consulate can be reached at:
Consulate General of India, Atlanta
5549 Glenridge Dr NE,
Sandy Springs, GA 30342
Tel: 404-963-5902
Email: contact@indianconsulateatlanta.org
Website: www.indianconsulateatlanta.org
CKGS can be reached at:
CKGS Application Center Atlanta
5883 Glenridge Dr, 1st Floor, Suite 180
Atlanta, GA 30328
Tel: 516-2061483 / 646-589-0088
Email: enquiriesusa@ckgs.com / postal.atl@ckgs.com
Website: http://www.in.ckgs.us
BLS can be reached at:
Two Premier Plaza
5881 Glenridge Drive, Suite 180, 1st Floor
Atlanta, GA 30328
Tel: 773-358-1742
Email: Atlanta@blsgroup.in
Website: http://passport.blsindia-usa-com
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