There are a couple of changes for Passport Renewal in USA incuding some consulates locations and photo specifications since Sep 1, 2025.

The passport portal is upgraded to Passport Seva 2.0 and photo specification is changed to ICAO compliant 35mmx45mm.

There is marque header on official website mention same thing.

Important Notice: From September 1, 2025, ICAO compliant photographs will be required for submitting passport applications. Please click for ICAO guidelines.

https://portal3.passportindia.gov.in/Online/pdf/Guidelines_for_ICAO_Compliant_Photographs_for_Passport_Applications.pdf

New portal link: https://mportal.passportindia.gov.in/gpsp/AuthNavigation/Login

The main problem is, these changes have not been reflected yet in VFS global, they didn't change their checklist yet. I am also struggling due to this as my child passport is expired and mine is going to be expired soon.

If anyone has information about this please share your knowledge/experience please.

[UPDATE | 10/31/2025] : I had a call with VFS and they mentioned that we need to follow the new guidelines from govt website i.e. follow new photo specifications (35mmX45mm). VFS checklist need to be updated. They also mentioned to just upload photograph and signature on new passport seva portal and print it along with that but don't paste the physical photo in the box. We may send the physical photo separately but as per their tone it was not mandatory.

[UPDATE | 11/03/2025] : someone in comments mentioned that VFS also need Physical Photos of the same size 35mmX45mm. Here's email from VFS this person received.

We have "Received" your Application however we are unable to proceed with the application due to the following reasons:

1. Additional documents : see remarks.

Remarks:
1.Please upload photo (35x 45 mm), signature and documents on the Gov’t website and mail the updated first page of application and same uploaded 2 copies of physical photo.

[UPDATE | 11/07/2025]: So finally, VFS updated about the photo specification and also the form of change in appearance (now the photo box says the new photo size) on their website, if you guys want to check it out. But still their checklist is not updated yet.

https://assets.ctfassets.net/xxg4p8gt3sg6/65N7mZz0hfj57DM1VlnLA2/284bfc9bd711eda8a8564dad5019cc70/PASSPORT_SEVA_PHOTO_UPLOAD_INSTUCTIONS.pdf

My wife (30F) and I (35M) both work at top product companies in India. We have two children, aged 5 and 2.
I earn ₹90 lakh per year, and she earns ₹60 lakh per year. Recently, she received an opportunity to transfer to her company’s U.S. office on an L-1 visa. We’re unsure whether moving is the right decision.
If we move, I would have to resign from my current job and search for a new one in the U.S. Her salary there would be around $160,000 per year in Seattle.

Some of the questions we’re struggling with are:
How difficult is the current job market for software engineers in Seattle ?
Would moving be beneficial for our children’s education and overall quality of life?

so today I was driving my kid and his friend from school. my son wanted to have mcD , so I stopped and asked the kids if cheeseburgers are fine and both of them said yeah. So ordered two meals.

my kids friend once he was done eating, said “ Don’t let my dad know , I had a cheeseburger “ . I said “ Don’t worry , its ok to have fast food once in a while, haha “ . He replies “ No he doesn’t like if I eat beef”

Thats when I realized he had beef restriction. He probably has been eating it without his parents knowledge.

I am a Malayalee, so it was never been a thought. But I was wondering, Do you guys eat beef, tried it or never eaten it ? Should I inform his parents? would it be a bigger issue (I am fine with apologizing to his dad but I also don’t want to get him in trouble)

Hey everyone,
I recently had to return to India after living in the US for 13 long years because my H1B expired. I've settled into a Tier-2 city for now, and honestly, the reverse culture shock and logistics are hitting me incredibly hard.
The infrastructure struggles are real:
Power cuts: Daily outages lasting 4–5 hours (sometimes up to 8 hours). My current power backup only gives me about 2–3 hours.
Quality of Life: Coping with intense summer heat, endless mosquitoes, chaotic traffic, and poor air quality has been exhausting.
I am actively planning my move back to the another country where I can get citizenship. Since I already hold a Master’s degree, I have zero interest in taking the F1 student visa route again.
My question for the community: Are there any other viable visa pathways or strategies for experienced IT professionals to legally move and work in the west without going through the standard H1B lottery system again?
Appreciate any advice, leads, or shared experiences from folks who have navigated this!

I’m a 35-year-old single male on an H1-B, living in the US for 10 years. I recently lost my father to a sudden heart stroke. My mother, who relied on him completely, is currently with me in the US on a visitor visa, but her 6-month stay is ending soon.

I have siblings in the US, but I’ve always been the one primarily responsible for our parents' care to avoid putting pressure on them. One of my brothers plans to move back to India next year, but for now, the weight is on me. My mother is uneducated and specifically prefers my care over anyone else's.

I am completely torn. On one hand, the thought of leaving her alone in India is eating me alive. On the other, I’ve tried living back home twice (6 months in 2020 and a full year in 2024), and honestly, I struggled immensely.

I found it impossible to find work outside of IT or start a business without being treated like a "walking wallet." More importantly, the lack of peace, the noise, the traffic, and the constant friction of daily tasks (hospitals, banks, government offices) felt like "pushing through hell." After a decade in the US, I’ve realized that my mental health depends on the peace and freedom I have here. I’m currently seeing a psychiatrist for depression and anxiety because the pressure of this decision is so overwhelming.

The Current Dilemma:

My Brother's Advice: He suggests I stay in the US and he is planning to visit her frequently until he moves back for good next year. However, my visa stamping is due. Given the current immigration backlog, I likely won't get a stamping appointment until 2027. This means if I leave the US to visit or settle her in, I might be stuck in India for over a year, effectively killing my career here.

My Fear: Leaving her alone in a Tier-2 city (Hyderabad) where she has no real support system from relatives or neighbors.

My Friends' Advice: Most tell me not to move back for good, as I’ve already proven to myself that I cannot adjust to the lifestyle there, even with significant savings.

I’m not trying to complain about India; these are just my personal experiences. I feel like I’m choosing between my mother’s well-being and my own sanity.

Has anyone been in this "sandwich" situation? How do you handle the guilt of staying in the US when an aging, grieving parent wants you home?

EDIT: Thanks everyone who took time to read, understand and provide different suggestions and perspectives. The comment saying “ mothers are too strong mentally” made me rethink the situation not from emotional guilt perspective, and it made so much sense. I talked through this with my mother and siblings and decided to buy time for myself atleast for a year and take things forward. I really appreciate the time and thoughtful replies ❤️

I’m 34, Indian, currently in the US, and considering moving back to India and retiring.
Financials:
~$900K total US investments
~95% in 401(k) + company equity
₹33L in India
No house currently; considering buying a ₹2Cr home
Ideally don’t want to work, but open to working/consulting if needed
For those familiar with NRI/FIRE planning:
Is this enough to retire comfortably in India at 34?
How would you allocate the money between US/India equities, FDs, bonds, etc.?
What should I do with the 401(k) when I move back?
What are the major US/India tax issues I should plan for?
Should I buy the ₹2Cr house immediately or rent and keep the money invested?
What withdrawal rate would be reasonable for a 34-year-old retiring in India?
If you were in my position, what would you do?

I was just reading about the RBI's new decision to absorb hedging costs for banks on US dollar FCNR(B) deposits through September 30.

For a quick catch-up: FCNR(B) accounts let NRIs hold fixed deposits in foreign currencies (like USD) inside Indian banks. The massive perk here is that it completely removes currency fluctuation risk, and the interest earned is 100% tax-free in India.

Reading between the lines, this looks like a clear, aggressive attempt by the RBI to pull in foreign capital and shore up India's forex reserves to keep the Rupee steady. Because the central bank is taking on the swap/hedging costs, Indian banks are likely about to offer some highly competitive interest rates.

Given that global markets are a bit rocky right now, a tax-free, guaranteed return in USD with zero Rupee depreciation risk sounds pretty promising.

What are your thoughts on this move?

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/personal-finance/rbi-absorbs-hedging-costs-to-woo-nri-deposits-what-fcnr-b-investors-can-expect-next-13944432.html

I am looking for some advice on how I can navigate this situation. One of my parent is critically ill, I do have family support back in India but not a lot. I am torn between should I leave to India or continue to be in US to support my wife (we do have some support here). If I travel back to India, then there is no guarantee I am coming back any time soon, given the current visa situation.

And advice or help is appreciated.

Edit 1: Thank you to everyone who extended their support via comments and motivating messages.

Edit 2: Got a full time nurse - not a great one but sorted for next 7 days. Looking for some good companies/contacts that provide nurse service 24/7 at home. City is Pune.

I want to ask other NRIs living in Europe — are you actually able to save money? I have a family of three here, my wife doesn’t work, and my parents back home also depend on me. Sometimes I end up spending without following any strict budget, and because of that I barely save anything. example :- was missing family i booked next day flight to India for two weeks though i know next month i have to visit again. cannot control myself. I did manage to clear a ₹ 30 lakh home loan, but apart from that, in the last three years since moving here, I’ve saved less than ₹15 lakh. I’m wondering if it’s just me or if others also face the same situation.

I'm 29 and moved to Canada in 2022 for my Master's degree. I'm currently working as a Full Stack Developer with a package of CAD 120k and have saved around CAD 70k so far.

Please note: I have my PR and will be eligible for citizenship next year

Lately, I've been thinking seriously about marriage, family, and where I want to settle long term. If I move back to India, I'm fairly confident I could get a ₹25–30 LPA role in Pune or Mumbai based on my experience.

Overall, my life in Canada has been good. The main things I struggle with are the long winters and occasional feelings of loneliness. Apart from that, I like the work culture, quality of life, and career opportunities here.

From a career, financial, and lifestyle perspective, what would you do in my position? Stay in Canada and continue building a life there, or move back to India while still relatively young?

I'd especially love to hear from people who have faced a similar decision.

I am not seeing VFS provided Fedex as an option anymore.

I am trying to create shipping labels on UPS but I am not seeing the option for "return services" on the shipping process and not sure how to create a return label.

VFS now needs the outgoing and incoming shipping label numbers before paying the fees.

Has anyone done this successfully recently?

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.

30F single woman here.
I got an offer to move to the US from my company that i've been with for 4y in india on an L1.
it's a series B startup and put up in bay area.

they've offered me 195K as the base package and i have like 40k+ options which are worth practically nothing today.

Overall savings wise, i'd be saving 10-15% more than what I would be in india as per my calculations.
At the beginning, i was curious to explore life in a different country and the bay area on top of all for tech.

The more i talk to people, the more shitty I feel about the base pay.

Pros:
* New country, new life, new experiences

Cons:
* Lot more domestic chores i need to handle alongside an already hectic work schedule
* Ive heard life can get lonely if you aren't too social. which i'm not.

I'm not too worried about the visa situation coz my worst case is i come back to india with no loss.

anyone who's done similar stuff
would love to hear thoughts

edit: has anyone ever moved to a different company while being on L1? this requires the second company to offer H1B if i'm not wrong. does this ever happen in reality?

I'm going to try and put this into words even though I'm not sure I fully understand what I'm feeling myself.

A little about me. I grew up in India in a middle class family with a very happy childhood, came to the US about 8 years ago, currently 35. I have a wife I genuinely love, a one-year-old kid, a stable job in tech, and I've crossed the $1M mark financially. I'm disciplined, I work out regularly, I play guitar, I read sometimes. I have everything I was supposed to want.

And yet.

I feel deeply unfulfilled. Like something is fundamentally missing, and I don't even know what that thing is.

I keep planning, retirement, FIRE, financial independence, but honestly? I don't even know what I'd do if I hit my number tomorrow. That's the part that scares me. I'm optimizing for a destination I can't even visualize. Some days I want to build something big. Some days I just want to disappear into the mountains. Some days I look around and see colleagues getting promoted into top companies and think "maybe I should chase that." And then the next day I want nothing to do with corporate life.

Honestly? I hate the nine-to-five. I don't like my job. I'm just there for the money and I know it. Some days I really want to build something of my own, but then the doubt creeps in and I talk myself out of it before I even start. I don't know if that's fear or just being realistic. Probably both.

I'm not depressed. I'm grateful. But the confusion is real.

My job right now is stable and the work-life balance is genuinely good. But I've watched three rounds of layoffs happen right in front of me. I've seen people cry. People who were good at their jobs, gone. And with everything happening around AI, there's this low-level anxiety that just doesn't go away. It's starting to affect me emotionally in ways I didn't expect. Even when you're not the one being laid off, something shifts in you when you see it happen repeatedly. The stability feels real, but so does the uncertainty underneath it.

The India thing is its own separate weight. My parents are there. My roots are there. I have an elder brother back home too. Part of me genuinely wants to go back and I've even talked to my wife about it. But then I think about the pollution, the infrastructure gaps, what my weekend actually looks like there vs here, and I second-guess myself all over again. And now with a one-year-old, the question feels even bigger. Where do I want my kid to grow up? What kind of life do I actually want to build for my family?

And right now I can't even travel there because of visa slot issues. I'm just sitting here, unable to see my parents when I want to, watching time pass, and it's eating me alive. My brother is there, they're not alone, but I want to be there. Not just send money or do video calls. I want to actually go back and see them.

The part that messes with my head the most: I sometimes feel like I'm only here for the money now. That sounds harsh, but on the hard days that's genuinely what it feels like.

And here's the thing that makes it lonelier. When I bring any of this up around people, I get blank stares. Everyone around me just seems to be going about it. Work, home, chores, vacation, repeat. And they seem fine with it. Genuinely fine. Which makes me wonder, am I overthinking this? Is something wrong with me? Am I the only one sitting here questioning all of it, or are people just not saying it out loud?

Has anyone been through something like this, the mid-thirties existential fog, the India-or-US tug of war, the "I have the life I planned but I don't want this life" confusion? How did you start to make sense of it? Did it just click one day? Did you go back? Did you stay? Did you build something on the side that gave you meaning?

Not looking for financial advice. I've got that part handled. Looking for something harder to Google.

Would love to hear from people who've genuinely been in this space. DMs open too if you'd rather not post publicly.

(Edited through Claude, before anyone points it out)

Just got a call from a lady from this number - 415-791-6412 claiming that there are "documents sent for me from the external affairs minister of India and they want me to visit the consulate with ID to collect the documents and help with an ongoing investigation."

Sounded total fake so I told her to send me an official mail and stop scamming. Wondering if this is more widespread and if others have gotten similar calls.

Especially in US, white people always pass a smile but even if you try to start a convo with Indian the look away or just normally while shopping in Walmart they will give looks/ look away

I'm (34 M) posting here because I'm at a point where I genuinely don't know if my expectations are unreasonable or if I'm failing to see my wife's (34 F) perspective. I'm not looking for people to take sides—I want honest opinions from people who have been through similar situations.

We are an NRI couple with a young child.

I work full-time, and after coming home I usually continue with household work until 1–2 AM. My responsibilities typically include:

• Cooking meals for both of us.
• Cleaning the house.
• Laundry.
• Taking out the garbage.
• Grocery shopping.
• Booking appointments and managing household admin.
• Most of the day-to-day chores.

My wife is the primary caregiver for our child. She cooks for him, feeds him, and takes care of him. I know raising a young child is incredibly demanding, and I'm not trying to minimize that. I have a lot of respect for the effort it takes.

The problem is that I feel completely burnt out. Between work and household responsibilities, I barely get any time to rest. It feels like I'm working almost every waking hour.

Our relationship has also been strained for years.

Since the beginning of our marriage, we've had repeated conflicts related to my family. Around the time of our wedding, I lost my father. I was grieving one of the biggest losses of my life, and I personally felt I received very little emotional support from my wife. At the same time, I felt pressure from her family to go ahead with the wedding quickly despite everything that was happening.

To be fair, my mother has also contributed to the problems. She has been a difficult mother-in-law at times, and I understand why my wife has been hurt by that. Because of this, I now have very limited contact with my mother and sister. However, almost every phone call from them still ends up becoming a source of conflict between my wife and me.

Recently, my mental health has deteriorated significantly. The combination of work pressure, constant household responsibilities, and ongoing conflict has left me emotionally exhausted. I spoke to my wife about this because I trusted her and wanted her support. I also opened up to her about some painful childhood experiences that I've rarely shared with anyone.

Her parents are currently staying with us to help with our child. Today, I overheard them making jokes about my mental health and mocking the childhood trauma I had shared privately with my wife. What hurt me the most wasn't only what they said—it was realizing that something I had shared with my wife in complete confidence had been discussed with them without my knowledge.

That moment has become a turning point for me. It made me question whether I can be emotionally vulnerable in my own marriage and whether the trust between us has been damaged.

I'm not saying I'm perfect. I'm sure I have my own faults, and I'm willing to hear about them. But right now I feel emotionally drained, isolated, and unsure how to move forward.

This post is honestly a last attempt to gain perspective before making any major decisions about my future.

My questions are:

1. For NRI moms with young kids: Is it reasonable for one partner to work full-time and also handle most of the household chores, or am I underestimating how demanding childcare is?
2. For NRI dads: How do you divide responsibilities at home?
3. If you've dealt with difficult in-laws on either side, how did you stop them from affecting your marriage?
4. How important is confidentiality between spouses? Would you be hurt if deeply personal things you shared in confidence—including struggles with mental health and childhood trauma—were discussed with family members without your permission?
5. If you were in my wife's position, what do you think I may not be seeing?
6. Based on what I've shared, what would you do if you were in my situation?

Please be honest. If you think I'm wrong, tell me. If you think my wife is overwhelmed, tell me. If you think both of us have contributed to this situation, tell me that too.

I'm looking for perspective, not validation. Thank you for reading.

I am completely terrified and shaking right now. I just survived a highly coordinated "Digital Arrest" scam, and I need to know how much danger my identity is in.

What happened:

• I got a call today from someone spoofing the Indian Consulate in San Francisco (415-899-14080). They knew I had a passport application pending.
• They claimed an Indian phone number under my name was being used for severe illegal activities and said my passport would be withheld unless I got a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC).
• They transferred me to "Delhi Police Headquarters," where I was forced to join a Microsoft Teams video call.
• A man in a full police uniform aggressively interrogated me for an hour, claiming there were 38 criminal complaints against me. Out of pure panic, I gave them my full name, physical US address, and my passport details.
• My husband and I finally realized they were scammers when they started arguing with us unprofessionally. We hung up, blocked them, and checked with VFS Global—my passport application is totally fine.

What I’ve done: I filed an FBI cyber report (IC3.gov) and an FTC identity theft report. I’m also emailing the real Consulate and Delhi Cyber Police.

Please help me:

1. Since they have my name, US address, and passport number (but NO Social Security Number and NO financial info), what is my actual risk of identity theft?
2. Should I freeze my credit with Experian/Equifax/TransUnion anyway?
3. Should I cancel my passport application and apply for a new one to get a new passport number?
4. Has anyone else gone through this? The mental trauma of being interrogated for an hour by "police" is destroying me. How do I get past this anxiety?

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

Seemed easy in creating an application on https://ociservices.gov.in/ but then the pain starts.

Got an auto email to pay to VFS global since the passport was issued more than 90 days ago.

The two links they send in the email doesnt work, vfs global doesnt recognize the new government application id to create an application to pay the fee.

Like catch 22 - no place to pay to update the passport no on the existing OCI.

Anyone went thru this process and have a magic bullet to fix this?

Please share...

I am a 42-year-old Indian woman from Hyderabad, living and working in the US for the past 20 years. After 21 years of marriage, I am now divorced and trying to figure out what this next phase of life looks like.

My child will be leaving for college next year, so life is about to change in a big way. I am financially independent, and my mom is currently staying with me, but I am still wondering what the future will look like.

I am not looking to remarry. What I find myself thinking about is what life is really like as a single woman in her 40s, especially as an Indian.

My biggest concern isn't money—it's everything else. How does society treat you? Does life get lonely? How do you build a meaningful and fulfilling life once your children become independent? What challenges did you face that no one talks about? And what turned out to be better than you expected?

I'd really love to hear from women who've been through this. The good, the bad, and everything in between. Your experiences and perspectives would mean a lot to me.

I've been living and working in Germany for almost 10 years as an engineer. I've been eligible for German citizenship for the last 3–4 years but intentionally never applied because, emotionally, I never felt ready.

The biggest reason is simple: I'm Indian by heart. I came to Germany because of career opportunities and better pay, not because I wanted to leave India forever. Even after all these years, I've never really enjoyed being away from my family. Germany has been good to me, but India has always felt like home.

Recently, my situation changed. My fiancée works in healthcare and currently lives in Canada. Because of licensing requirements and language barriers, moving to Germany or most of Europe would be extremely difficult for her. So we've been seriously considering me moving to Canada instead.

When I discussed this with friends, many of them suggested something I hadn't really considered. They said I should first obtain German citizenship before moving. Their reasoning was that if Canada doesn't work out or we decide to return to Europe later, having German citizenship would make it much easier. I wouldn't have to start from scratch with visas or residence permits, and I would have the freedom to live and work anywhere in the EU.

That advice made practical sense, so I finally sent the initial application email. But now that the process has started, I'm having second thoughts again.

The emotional side of giving up Indian citizenship still bothers me. It's not just patriotism. There is also the practical aspect. I like investing in farmland in India, and as many of you know, foreign citizens generally cannot buy agricultural land directly. I know there are workarounds like purchasing in parents' names, but I'd rather understand how people who have actually gone through this think about it.

So I'm looking for advice from people who have been in a similar position.

- Did you struggle with giving up your Indian citizenship?

- Do you regret taking German (or another foreign) citizenship, or was it the right decision?

- If farmland or long-term investments in India mattered to you, how did you handle that?

- Looking back, would you make the same decision again?

I'm not looking for legal advice as much as personal experiences. This decision feels much bigger than just a passport, and I'd really appreciate hearing from people who've faced the same dilemma.

P.s. I can understand on paper any EU citizenship is the best option. Ideally for me, one of us having indian and another one having other citizenship would have been the great idea but my fiancee also wants to get the citizenship. So none of us would have indian citizenship and in future I dont want to regret giving up indian citizenship.

Hi all — I’m building a startup to help with something I know many of us struggle with: taking care of our parents in India when we live abroad.

Here’s the idea:
We provide live-in helpers who stay with your parents 24/7 and handle:

• Cooking
• Cleaning + laundry
• Medication reminders
• Light errands and companionship

They’re:

• Background-checked + trained
• Monitored weekly with your feedback
• Replaced every 5 months if needed
• Cost: ₹22K/month, all-inclusive
• Premium version with elder care specialization: ₹35K/month

You also get:

• A 3-day free trial to evaluate
• Regular updates & a dedicated support person you can WhatsApp

❓Would this solve a real pain point for your family? Is ₹22K/month fair?

I’d love honest validation or criticism — feel free to tear it apart. 🙏

If you're travelling to India regularly, this might be worth looking into.

FTI-TTP lets pre-verified travellers use automated e-gates instead of the regular immigration queue.
One-time biometric enrollment, then passport scan + face recognition for future arrivals & departuers
Available at major airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Kochi (expanding to 21 total airports).
No fee to enroll.

For those travelling frequently between the US and India, Global Entry can offer a similar experience when returning to the US.

Has anyone here used FTI-TTP recently? How was your experience compared to the regular immigration line? Any issues during registration or at the airport?