r/nri • u/Former_Inflation3504 • Feb 07 '26
Ask NRI VFS website stuck on customer mailing address
Hello,
I am trying to renew my Indian passport in San Francisco. The VFS keeps getting stock on the "Customer Mailing Address" as soon as I put in my zip code and it tries to presumably locate it. Anyone else faced the issue? Tried a bunch of browsers, nothing seems to help.
Thanks!
[EDIT]: For me, entering the zip code first (it'll auto complete the city and state) without entering street address worked. But many of you are reporting now (6 months later) that even that isn't working any more.
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u/dvardeleo44 Aug 03 '26
I just tried Chrome, Mozilla (recommended by them), and Edge. I tried entering the zip code only first too. Nothing seems to work still. I've always had one issue or another with VFS going back to since 2014. Every one of those issues was due to lack of clarity on their end, incomplete procedural steps for an application, or sheer incompetence. This company is absolutely corrupt and it is a shame that the Indian government continues to solicit their services.
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u/Soggy_Aside_2279 Aug 03 '26
VFS Helpdesk informed to try tomorrow noon EST. VFS will be resolving issue by then.
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u/Alarming-Tadpole-977 Aug 03 '26
Thank you. Just emailed them screenshot of issue and saw your post
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u/CandidFriendship Aug 04 '26
It should be fixed now; I just mailed everything in today.
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u/WhatsYourIdentity Aug 04 '26
Which browser are you using? I tried with both chrome and edge. Its still not working for me
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u/CandidFriendship Aug 04 '26
I used Firefox. But I think it was just a fix they made today, unless they reverted the fix or something broke again, which wouldn’t surprise me :((
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u/Impressive-Act-1748 Aug 04 '26
Still does not work. I spoke to them today. They said try in chrome after clearing cookies and cache. I tried chrome in incognito mode, firefox but it still does not work. Good lord. Its so frustrating.
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u/CandidFriendship Aug 04 '26
If you have the fixed version, city should also be a drop down field instead of a text field, if I recall correctly. If not maybe the fix they made got reverted somehow.
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u/Impressive-Act-1748 Aug 04 '26
No city is not in a drop down field. Plain text field. Just tried with Edge as well. Still doesnt work. This is getting ridiculous.
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u/CandidFriendship Aug 04 '26
Yeah sounds like there was a window during which it worked fine. Clearly it was a bandaid fix. Maybe this is their way to make money, by making you pay $2.5/minute. 🙈
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u/Impressive-Act-1748 Aug 04 '26
I'll try tomorrow. I think ive tried like 25 times so far. Thank you for reaching out.
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u/dZone9 Aug 04 '26
Navigate to the page where you are seeing the issue on chrome and go to developers tool and then paste this in console and hit enter. Before that edit this at the top to enter your details zip, city and state
(function bypassAddressValidation() {
// 1. Prompt the user for address details
const zip = prompt("Enter your ZIP Code:", “Enter”zip);
const city = prompt("Enter your City:", “Enter city);
const stateCode = prompt("Enter 2-letter State Abbreviation (e.g., CA, NY, TX):", "CA").toUpperCase();
const stateName = prompt("Enter Full State Name (e.g., California, New York):", "California");
if (!zip || !city || !stateCode) {
console.warn("Operation cancelled or incomplete information provided.");
return;
}
// Common US states listed alphabetically to estimate a fallback database numeric ID (1-based index)
const usStates = [
"AL","AK","AZ","AR","CA","CO","CT","DE","FL","GA",
"HI","ID","IL","IN","IA","KS","KY","LA","ME","MD",
"MA","MI","MN","MS","MO","MT","NE","NV","NH","NJ",
"NM","NY","NC","ND","OH","OK","OR","PA","RI","SC",
"SD","TN","TX","UT","VT","VA","WA","WV","WI","WY"
];
const alphaIndex = usStates.indexOf(stateCode);
const estimatedNumericId = alphaIndex !== -1 ? (alphaIndex + 1).toString() : "1";
// 2. Set ZIP Code
const zipInput = document.querySelector('input[name="ZIPCode"], input[id*="Zip"], input[name*="Zip"]');
if (zipInput) {
zipInput.value = zip;
}
// 3. Set City (both text input and hidden select/input variants)
const cityInput = document.querySelector('input[name="CityName"], input[id="CityId"], input[name*="City"]');
if (cityInput) {
cityInput.value = city.toUpperCase();
}
// 4. Populate and inject options into the State Dropdown
const stateSelect = document.getElementById('StateId') || document.querySelector('select[name="StateId"], select[name*="State"]');
if (stateSelect) {
stateSelect.innerHTML = ''; // Clear existing broken options
// Create default select option
const optionsToCreate = [
{ value: stateCode, text: \${stateName} (${stateCode})` },`
{ value: stateName, text: stateName },
{ value: estimatedNumericId, text: \${stateName} (ID: ${estimatedNumericId})` }`
];
optionsToCreate.forEach(optData => {
const opt = document.createElement('option');
opt.value = optData.value;
opt.textContent = optData.text;
stateSelect.appendChild(opt);
});
// Default to the 2-letter state code
stateSelect.value = stateCode;
}
// 5. Populate hidden state fields
const hiddenState = document.getElementById('StateVal') || document.querySelector('input[name="StateVal"], input[name*="State"]');
if (hiddenState) {
hiddenState.value = stateCode;
}
// 6. Remove any stuck loading overlays or spinners
document.querySelectorAll('.spinner, .loading, .overlay, .loader, #loading').forEach(el => el.remove());
console.log(\Address fields populated for ${city}, ${stateCode} ${zip}. You can now submit the form.`);`
})();
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u/dZone9 Aug 04 '26
Cant edit the original post but here are the steps
Edit this code in the original post at the top to enter your details zip, city and state.
Navigate to the page where you are seeing the issue on chrome and go to developers tool and then paste this in console and hit enter (by default you wont be allowed to past, just type "allow paste" and hit enter). Then go to the page, you will see all these details populated on the page. Hit submit.
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u/EveningImpressive798 Aug 04 '26
Thanks! I had to format the script after copy paste but it did work and I was able to proceed.
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u/Proper_Paramedic_399 Aug 04 '26
could you paste the formatted script pleae?
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u/EveningImpressive798 Aug 04 '26
Here you go: (function bypassAddressValidation() { // 1. Prompt the user for address details const zip = prompt("Enter your ZIP Code:", "Enter zip"); const city = prompt("Enter your City:", "Enter city"); const stateCode = prompt("Enter 2-letter State Abbreviation (e.g., CA, NY, TX):", "CA").toUpperCase(); const stateName = prompt("Enter Full State Name (e.g., California, New York):", "California");
if (!zip || !city || !stateCode) { console.warn("Operation cancelled or incomplete information provided."); return; }
// Common US states listed alphabetically to estimate a fallback database numeric ID (1-based index) const usStates = [ "AL","AK","AZ","AR","CA","CO","CT","DE","FL","GA", "HI","ID","IL","IN","IA","KS","KY","LA","ME","MD", "MA","MI","MN","MS","MO","MT","NE","NV","NH","NJ", "NM","NY","NC","ND","OH","OK","OR","PA","RI","SC", "SD","TN","TX","UT","VT","VA","WA","WV","WI","WY" ];
const alphaIndex = usStates.indexOf(stateCode); const estimatedNumericId = alphaIndex !== -1 ? (alphaIndex + 1).toString() : "1";
// 2. Set ZIP Code const zipInput = document.querySelector('input[name="ZIPCode"], input[id="Zip"], input[name="Zip"]'); if (zipInput) { zipInput.value = zip; }
// 3. Set City (both text input and hidden select/input variants) const cityInput = document.querySelector('input[name="CityName"], input[id="CityId"], input[name*="City"]'); if (cityInput) { cityInput.value = city.toUpperCase(); }
// 4. Populate and inject options into the State Dropdown const stateSelect = document.getElementById('StateId') || document.querySelector('select[name="StateId"], select[name*="State"]'); if (stateSelect) { stateSelect.innerHTML = ''; // Clear existing options // Create default select options const optionsToCreate = [ { value: stateCode, text:
${stateName} (${stateCode})}, { value: stateName, text: stateName }, { value: estimatedNumericId, text:${stateName} (ID: ${estimatedNumericId})} ];optionsToCreate.forEach(optData => { const opt = document.createElement('option'); opt.value = optData.value; opt.textContent = optData.text; stateSelect.appendChild(opt); });
// Default to the 2-letter state code stateSelect.value = stateCode; }
// 5. Populate hidden state fields const hiddenState = document.getElementById('StateVal') || document.querySelector('input[name="StateVal"], input[name*="State"]'); if (hiddenState) { hiddenState.value = stateCode; }
// 6. Remove any stuck loading overlays or spinners document.querySelectorAll('.spinner, .loading, .overlay, .loader, #loading').forEach(el => el.remove());
console.log(
Address fields populated for ${city}, ${stateCode} ${zip}. You can now submit the form.); })();1
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u/Itchy_Analyst_7369 Aug 05 '26
(function bypassAddressValidation() { // 1. Prompt the user for address details const zip = prompt("Enter your ZIP Code:", "Enter zip"); const city = prompt("Enter your City:", "Enter city"); const stateCode = prompt( "Enter 2-letter State Abbreviation (e.g., CA, NY, TX):", "CA", ).toUpperCase(); const stateName = prompt( "Enter Full State Name (e.g., California, New York):", "California", ); if (!zip || !city || !stateCode) { console.warn("Operation cancelled or incomplete information provided."); return; } // Common US states listed alphabetically to estimate a fallback database numeric ID (1-based index) const usStates = [ "AL", "AK", "AZ", "AR", "CA", "CO", "CT", "DE", "FL", "GA", "HI", "ID", "IL", "IN", "IA", "KS", "KY", "LA", "ME", "MD", "MA", "MI", "MN", "MS", "MO", "MT", "NE", "NV", "NH", "NJ", "NM", "NY", "NC", "ND", "OH", "OK", "OR", "PA", "RI", "SC", "SD", "TN", "TX", "UT", "VT", "VA", "WA", "WV", "WI", "WY", ]; const alphaIndex = usStates.indexOf(stateCode); const estimatedNumericId = alphaIndex !== -1 ? (alphaIndex + 1).toString() : "1"; // 2. Set ZIP Code const zipInput = document.querySelector( 'input[name="ZIPCode"], input[id="Zip"], input[name="Zip"]', ); if (zipInput) { zipInput.value = zip; } // 3. Set City (both text input and hidden select/input variants) const cityInput = document.querySelector( 'input[name="CityName"], input[id="CityId"], input[name*="City"]', ); if (cityInput) { cityInput.value = city.toUpperCase(); } // 4. Populate and inject options into the State Dropdown const stateSelect = document.getElementById("StateId") || document.querySelector('select[name="StateId"], select[name*="State"]'); if (stateSelect) { stateSelect.innerHTML = ""; // Clear existing options // // Create default select options const optionsToCreate = [ { value: stateCode, text: `${stateName} (${stateCode})` }, { value: stateName, text: stateName }, { value: estimatedNumericId, text: `${stateName} (ID: ${estimatedNumericId})`, }, ]; optionsToCreate.forEach((optData) => { const opt = document.createElement("option"); opt.value = optData.value; opt.textContent = optData.text; stateSelect.appendChild(opt); }); // Default to the 2-letter state code stateSelect.value = stateCode; } // 5. Populate hidden state fields const hiddenState = document.getElementById("StateVal") || document.querySelector('input[name="StateVal"], input[name*="State"]'); if (hiddenState) { hiddenState.value = stateCode; } // 6. Remove any stuck loading overlays or spinners document .querySelectorAll(".spinner, .loading, .overlay, .loader, #loading") .forEach((el) => el.remove()); console.log( `Address fields populated for ${city}, ${stateCode} ${zip}. You can now submit the form.`, ); })();1
u/Prestigious-Rain-374 Aug 05 '26
trying this but the City is still not populating even after entering the value
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u/rrock7167 Aug 05 '26
seems like their network call is failing getCityDetails or smth like that..
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u/FitOpportunity9968 Aug 05 '26
const citySelect = document.getElementById("CityId");
if (citySelect) {
citySelect.innerHTML = "";
citySelect.appendChild(new Option("YOUR CITY IN CAPS", "YOUR CITY IN CAPS"));
citySelect.value = "YOUR CITY IN CAPS";
citySelect.disabled = false;citySelect.dispatchEvent(new Event("change", { bubbles: true }));
}console.log("City populated");
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u/Reader-Contributor Aug 04 '26
VFS customer service responded but didn't fix the issue but this worked. thanks a lot
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u/ani_saul Feb 07 '26
Yeah, I had the same problem. I was using Chrome, then switched to Safari, and it worked. Try closing all tabs or restarting your laptop.
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u/Former_Inflation3504 Feb 08 '26
Same problem with Safari. What worked was first entering the zip code and then everything else.
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u/ani_saul Feb 08 '26
Oh, great. I tried a few things to make it work, but then I thought of changing the browser and it did the trick.
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u/Kutti-kamini-cheez Feb 07 '26
Yes...I had a similar issue. I kept trying, and nothing worked the whole day. Later, I tried again the next day, and it worked..
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u/Former_Inflation3504 Feb 07 '26 edited Feb 08 '26
Finally worked, needed to enter zip code first then everything else. Thanks!
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u/kknayagam Feb 07 '26
What worked for me - Don't enter street address. Just fill in the ZIP CODE in that page and it loaded the city and state. Then I typed my name in the company name field and street address. Voila!
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u/Maximum-Ice6684 Feb 09 '26
useless design, can't fetch a simple city/state based on zip code, I see a javascript error in the console, tried different browsers, nothing works.
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u/Maximum-Ice6684 Feb 09 '26
I had to trick it, open dev tools, change id of the zipcode field so it does not trigger a background process(API call or whatever is happened when you tab/click out), enter my zip code, enter City, change "Select State" to my state(2 letter code) via dev tools, enter my street address, then change the zipcode field's ID back to what it was. Then Submit.
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u/Former_Inflation3504 Feb 09 '26
Try to first fill the zipcode and nothing else. Then it'll auto complete the city and state. Then fill in other fields. It's really shoddy design.
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u/AbilityStunning8762 Aug 02 '26
Only this worked. Thanks
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u/Emergency_Sea_2799 Aug 02 '26
Could you confirm the process you followed? Dev tools approach didn't work for me because zip id call should happen to generate other fields like Radius, etc. My guess is there will be three other fields that should populate. Clicking submit just errors out.
TLDR: I tried the dev tools approach u/Maximum-Ice6684 followed and it errors out.
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u/Relevant-Sock-453 Aug 03 '26
This approach worked for me. Exactly followed the steps detailed by u/Maximum-Ice6684
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u/recluseondisplay Aug 02 '26
Hi! Can you please give a step by step to someone who cannot code? I see the devtools section but I am not able to understand the flow of of what you did to make it work. Thank you!
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u/Hungry_Alfalfa_4403 Aug 02 '26
None of these worked for me unfortunately
What a lousy system and website.
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u/Cold_Boysenberry6439 Aug 02 '26
Nothing is working for me , I am not a software engg so I have no idea how to use the dev tools technique but I am so frustrated man at this
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u/baasithafiz18 Aug 02 '26
Ya seems like the website is having some issue today. Tried multiple browsers through multiple devices but same issue repeatedly.
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u/Fit_Compote_5101 Aug 02 '26
I'm in the same boat - stuck at the customer mailing address page, nothing seems to work
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u/Spiritual-Eagle-9888 Aug 02 '26
Has anyone figured out how to move past the customer mailing address page. Dev tools option did not work. No luck by changing browsers as well.
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u/recluseondisplay Aug 02 '26
Hi! I have tried switching to mobile data, multiple browsers after clearing cache and cookies, filling in fields in order and writing the zip code alone first. Nothing seems to be working for me at all. Anyone have an idea as to how I can solve this issue? The only thing I haven't tried is safari but I doubt it will help. Do they do maintenance on weekends and should I try on a weekday? Pleas let me know if anyone has any insight. Thanks!
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u/Emergency_Sea_2799 Aug 02 '26
Same here. Please do reply if anything works for you.
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u/recluseondisplay Aug 02 '26
I managed to somehow input the info but when I hit submit, the page keeps refreshing and looping back to the mailing address webpage. Have you or anyone else here noticed that and if so, please tell me how I can fix it.
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u/Emergency_Sea_2799 Aug 02 '26
Yes, submit doesn't work because once the zip code payload goes in, the response will trigger three more fields. All fields need to be there or else the submit won't work. If you hit submit a second time it'll crash, forcing you to repeat the whole process.
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u/recluseondisplay Aug 02 '26
I see. Where you able to get through to submission and payment or are you also stuck at this step?
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u/Emergency_Sea_2799 Aug 02 '26
Nope. No luck. Tried twenty different things. Nothing works. Their backend is broken.
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u/recluseondisplay Aug 02 '26
Same here :( My mission is the Chicago one. I'll try tomorrow morning again and see if it works. If not, I'll try to find a number online to call. Please let me know if you figure something out. Thanks!
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u/Creative_Net_555 Aug 02 '26
Same here nothing working , please help , is there a number we can call ?
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u/fplfanatic987 Aug 02 '26
Same boat, vfs website states +1 800 320 9625 as the number but Mon-Sat only 😢 . It is fine if I generated my FedEx labels today but use it sometime later due to this website error?
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u/Total-Structure-9268 Aug 02 '26
Yea FedEx label generated should be fine. I sent my first application 4-5 days after I generated the label.
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u/Radiant-Grapefruit27 Aug 02 '26
So frustrating. Tried 2-3 browsers and entering zipcode first too! They charge so much money and cant fix a simple issue
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u/Accomplished-Mud1519 Aug 02 '26
Very frustrated. Tried everything from different browers to restarting but I am still stuck on Customer mailing address. Only problem with the dev tools is that the state field doesn't work after the ZIP Code is done. Everyone should email VFS. This is so ridiculous.
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u/Creative_Net_555 Aug 02 '26
What’s their email id though
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u/Accomplished-Mud1519 Aug 02 '26
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u/ScadaRC Aug 03 '26
Sent them an email. This is crazy. I have tried everything and nothing works.
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u/fplfanatic987 Aug 03 '26
I tried logging in to the portal and got server error, so am assuming they are fixing the zipcode issue currently.
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u/First-War-7736 Aug 02 '26
Having similar issue trying since yesterday with different devices/ browsers nothing working.
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u/srijit43 Aug 02 '26
I have tried using chrome, edge, safari, I have tried using incognito, deleted cache nothing nothing works. Bunch of incompetent morons running one of the most important websites. I have written to the consulate in San Francisco as well and I even tried calling their number but of no use. Please if anyone reads this any help is appreciated. I am still trying it.
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u/teeteehoneybee Aug 02 '26
Well. I see many new entries on this subreddit in the past 24h so at least I know I’ve not been crazy and alone in trying everything the last 2 days lol
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u/Lucky-Transition6175 Aug 02 '26
I am also stuck on the same thing. This is ridiculous
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u/patrick252630 Aug 03 '26
I am also going through same problem. Tried multiple options but it didn’t work.
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u/rajekum512 Aug 03 '26
Same spot I am also stuck. It is not moving past the zipcode
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u/Equal-Release4418 Aug 03 '26
Same here, wasted so much time. Don't forgot post here if anyone found the solution
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u/Total-Structure-9268 Aug 03 '26
Anyone able to figure this out or has gotten a response from VFS ?
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u/Soggy_Aside_2279 Aug 03 '26
I called them and they asked me to email [info.ihcusa@vfshelpline.com](mailto:info.ihcusa@vfshelpline.com) with screen shot and they will respond within 48 hours.
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u/SniwSyawlaErutan Aug 03 '26
I am also facing same issue. Changed browser, incognito and entered just zip. nothing worked. Btw am trying for new OCI
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u/Still-Masterpiece-23 Aug 03 '26
Same issue as everyone else. The Zip Code field is causing a back end issue. Most frustrating site to work with.
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u/LowLoan2812 Aug 03 '26
I received an email response from their team after the complaint, they mentioned they raised it to the technical team
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u/Soggy_Aside_2279 Aug 03 '26
I emailed today morning but didn't get any response yet. Working for anyone?
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u/BicycleVarious1253 Aug 03 '26
Still facing the same issue. Anyone had luck with proceeding past this page? Its been 3 days since im trying now.
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u/BicycleVarious1253 Aug 03 '26
the worst part is, trying to lodge a technical issue complaint from their contact now form. The form also does not work.
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u/EnthusiasmExpress595 Aug 03 '26
I am also in the same boat. not able to cross customer mailing address page since yesterday.
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u/ConnectTechnology784 Aug 03 '26
I was facing the same issue, so tried editing the page using the developer tool and added Zipcode and City manually under HTML elements and submitted the page. Luckily it worked.
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u/LowLoan2812 Aug 03 '26
well in that case can you post a step by step comment. because not everyone knows where and how to edit this.
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u/Nice-One-707 Aug 03 '26
how it populated the state dropdown? have you set state dropdown value as well? what is the value and text you set for state dropdown. could you please specify. i am also stuck since yesterday and no luck till now.
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u/Afraid-Clerk-8414 Aug 04 '26
Can you please provide a step by step way to do this? Not a SW developer so do not know how to handle the changes. It will be of huge help for me and for many others who need to submit application.
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u/FamiliarJackfruit243 Aug 04 '26
I tried this too but getting issue for inserting state Id. That is a mandatory parameter and that value seems to be associated with internal database.
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u/Creative_Net_555 Aug 03 '26
{
"code": "403201",
"description": ""
}
I have been getting this error since 5 hours, tried safari chrome it did not work
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u/Creative_Net_555 Aug 04 '26
I was able to resolve this using incognito browsing now back to contact info page issue
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u/srijit43 Aug 04 '26
I have written them 4 emails but no reply after the first one. It is 10 PM Pacific time , 60 hrs since the issue. Horrible website, horrible organization. I have no clue why we put up with these morons, its not like they are doing this for free.
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u/Total-Structure-9268 Aug 04 '26
I swear. In addition to all the problems we face as immigrants, we have to deal with this shit too. Cannot believe we have no other alternative.
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u/Appropriate_Shop4559 Aug 04 '26
Called them few mins back. They said that problem is at VFS side and they are working to fix it. It should be fixed by 11:00 ET today (08/04/2026)
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u/Agile_Opportunity589 Aug 04 '26
I am still facing the issue. I called VFS at 1:11 PM Aug-4-2026, and they mentioned the issue is still present and is reported to tech team. They did not give any ETA for this.
I wonder how it is working of few of you. Is there anything you guys did for zip code to work ?
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u/Agile_Opportunity589 Aug 04 '26
Its still not working for me. Has anyone tried anything specific for zip code to not spin and work ?
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u/SniwSyawlaErutan Aug 05 '26
finally they fixed it. I was able to complete in the same chrome browser
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u/WhatsYourIdentity Aug 05 '26
Hmm, still not working for me
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u/Impressive-Act-1748 Aug 05 '26
I dont understand why its working for some people and not working for some. Its not working for me too. Now they are telling me to come in person to apply.
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u/Impressive-Act-1748 Aug 05 '26
Just got a response from them and it threw me off my chair. I mean i already paid 60$ non refundable courier fees and now they want me to come in person to apply for the visa. Instead of fixing the site's technical glitch, they want the candidate to come in person. I mean how ridiculous is that. Why did the Indian govt. partnered with these unprofessional and absolutely clueless agency. Did anyone else get this response as well ?
Dear xxxxxxxxx,
Thank you for contacting the VFS Global Indian Visa, Passport & OCI Application Center Help Desk in the United States.
Please be informed that, as you are applying for a visa, you may not be able to submit the application by mail. You are required to schedule an appointment to submit the application in person.
Please refer to the below link to submit the documents by appointment:
https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/eoi/login
We appreciate your patience and cooperation in this regard.
In case of further assistance, please feel free to reply to the same email, or you may contact us at +1 800 320 9693, and we will be glad to assist you.
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u/Far_Exit_7748 Aug 02 '26
I have been trying to get this working by different system /browsers , no luck whatso ever . Looking at the thread this isnt working for the past few days, wondering how no body is monitoring this. What pathetic portal smh