The Consulate General of India (CGI) in San Francisco is the primary diplomatic and consular representation for Indian citizens across a vast jurisdiction in the Western United States. As of December 17, 2025, the Consulate has rolled out several monumental changes to its core services—from passport processing to attestation—making it crucial for every Indian national and OCI cardholder in the region to understand the new procedures to avoid significant application delays and complications.
These recent updates, including a major shift in the online application portal and the outsourcing of key consular services, represent the most significant operational overhaul in years. Whether you are applying for a new passport, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, or a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), staying informed about the new protocols is essential for a smooth and timely process.
Meet the Leadership: Biography of Consul General Dr. K. Srikar Reddy
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco is currently headed by Dr. K. Srikar Reddy, a seasoned diplomat whose background in international commerce and diplomacy guides the mission's focus on both consular services and strengthening India-US economic ties. Dr. Reddy's leadership is pivotal in overseeing the implementation of major digital and procedural changes impacting the Indian diaspora.
Prior to assuming his role as Consul General, Dr. K. Srikar Reddy served at the Department of Commerce, Government of India, as a Joint Secretary. His extensive experience in commerce gives him a unique perspective on promoting trade, investment, and technology collaboration between India and the US, particularly within the Silicon Valley ecosystem. The Consulate's recent engagement in events like the 'Inclusive AI Roundtable' on October 22, 2025, highlights his focus on cutting-edge technology and community engagement.
Other key officials include the Deputy Consul General, Mr. Rakesh Adlakha, and Consul (Consular & RTI), Mr. Jaswant Singh, who are instrumental in managing the day-to-day operations and public outreach of the mission. Their collective goal is to provide efficient and transparent services to the Indian community across the CGI San Francisco jurisdiction.
The 7 Most Critical Service Updates You Must Know for 2025
The year 2025 has brought about significant procedural shifts for Indian consular services in the US. These changes primarily affect how applicants initiate and submit their documentation for various services.
1. Mandatory Migration to the GPSP 2.0 Passport Seva Portal
The most critical change is the mandatory migration to the Global Passport Seva Portal (GPSP 2.0), which took effect on November 21, 2025. This new version replaces the older portal (v1) and is now the sole platform for initiating applications for several key services:
- Indian Passport Renewal/Re-issue
- Indian Passport Surrender Certificate
- Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
- Global Entry Program (GEP)
Crucial Tip: If an application was started on the old V1 portal, it will not be accessible on GPSP 2.0. Applicants must re-file their entire application on the new V2 portal. This digital overhaul is designed to streamline the application process but requires applicants to familiarize themselves with the new user interface and document upload requirements.
2. Outsourcing of Miscellaneous Consular Services to VFS Global
Effective from August 1, 2025, the processing of all Miscellaneous Consular Services, including attestation services (such as Power of Attorney, affidavits, and life certificates), will be fully outsourced to VFS Global. Prior to this date, these services were available for in-person submission at the Consulate office itself.
This means that almost all major services—Passport, Visa, OCI, Renunciation, and now Miscellaneous Attestation—are processed through the VFS Indian Consular Application Center. Applicants must now schedule an appointment and submit their documents at the designated VFS location within the CGI San Francisco jurisdiction.
3. Walk-in Facility for Attestation Services (Pre-August 2025)
While the transition to VFS Global is set for August 1, 2025, the Consulate had previously allowed walk-in submissions for Miscellaneous Attestation services. Applicants should confirm the current procedure on the official CGI San Francisco website, as the in-person facility at the Consulate (71 Stevenson Street, Suite 2200) will cease for these services by the end of July 2025.
4. The Vast and Expanding CGI San Francisco Jurisdiction
The Consulate General of India, San Francisco, serves one of the largest geographical jurisdictions among all Indian missions in the US. Its primary area covers several western states, including California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and Alaska.
Furthermore, the Consulate has been temporarily providing consular services for the jurisdiction previously under the CGI Los Angeles. This expanded responsibility underscores the heavy workload and the need for applicants to be meticulously prepared to ensure smooth processing in a high-volume environment.
5. New Address vs. Old Location Conversion
The current operational address for the Consulate General of India, San Francisco, is 71 Stevenson Street, Suite 2200, San Francisco, CA. This location is where any remaining in-person services (until their eventual outsourcing) and diplomatic functions are conducted.
A point of interest for the local community is the ongoing plan to convert the former Consulate office at 540 Arguello Boulevard in the Lone Mountain neighborhood into housing. This move signifies the mission's relocation to a more modern, downtown facility, and applicants should ensure they are using the Stevenson Street address for all correspondence and visits.
6. The Critical Role of VFS Global in All Major Services
It cannot be overstated: VFS Global is the official outsourcing partner for virtually all major Indian consular services in the San Francisco jurisdiction. This includes Visa, Passport, OCI, Renunciation, and now Miscellaneous/Attestation services.
Common Pitfall: Many applicants face delays due to errors in courier service documentation. VFS advises that documents received after 20 days will be shredded, and originals will be returned to the Embassy or Consulate. Strict adherence to the VFS checklist and courier instructions is mandatory for a successful application.
7. 2025 Holiday Closures
Planning ahead for any in-person visits or application deadlines is vital, as the Consulate observes both Indian and American public holidays. Key holidays observed in 2025 include New Year's Day, Republic Day, Holi, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti, and Diwali. Always check the official CGI San Francisco website for the complete list of holidays before attempting to visit the office or calculating processing times for your application.
Entities and Topical Authority Checklist
To ensure a comprehensive and authoritative resource, the following key entities and keywords related to the Consulate General of India, San Francisco, have been covered:
- Key Personnel: Dr. K. Srikar Reddy, Rakesh Adlakha, Jaswant Singh.
- Service Platforms: Global Passport Seva Portal (GPSP 2.0), VFS Global, Passport Seva Portal v1.
- Consular Services: Passport Renewal, OCI, Visa, Renunciation Certificate, Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), Global Entry Program (GEP), Miscellaneous Attestation Services.
- Locations: 71 Stevenson Street, Suite 2200 (Current Office), 540 Arguello Boulevard (Former Office), Indian Consular Application Centers.
- Jurisdiction States: California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Alaska.
- Government Bodies: Department of Commerce (India), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Understanding these new procedural updates is the key to successfully interacting with the Consulate General of India in San Francisco. The shift towards the GPSP 2.0 and the complete outsourcing of miscellaneous services to VFS Global are permanent changes designed for efficiency, but they place a greater burden on the applicant to ensure all documentation is correct before submission.
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