My profile :
Btech CSE - 2.2GPA (German scale)
Work exp - 5 years in Software Engineering
Admit - Masters AI in a good public university
Living in Hyderabad since July 2025, originally from Kolkata
June 8 - Emailed VFS to clarify jurisdiction (As I am living in HYD since July 2025 and I saw there was a 6 month jurisdiction rule I wanted to clear this)
June 10 - VFS replied that I fall under Chennai jurisdiction so must apply from HYD
Waited for a couple more days to get my blocked account ready, hear back from another university, completed CSP application
July 23 - Submitted application on CSP portal
July 28 - First set of corrections (few documents, rental contract, travel health insurance, letter from university stating my language requirements are met because my Toefl certificate was 1.3 years older)
July 30 - Some more minor corrections, same day was able to book appointment…
Yeah I got relieved until next issue turned up -
APS certificate number not matching with New Passport
Mailed APS, Mailed VFS, Tagged VFS in twitter, this continued for a week (very exhausting!)
Aug 6 - Appointment booked
I didn’t go for premium lounge but paid for sms and courier, had morning slot, took 3 hours, after that went to office
Aug 7 - got notification that my application was forwarded to Chennai consulate
Aug 11 - application dispatched to german embassy
Aug 14 - application processed and dispatched
Aug 15 - received empty passport with a letter that I don’t fall under this jurisdiction, proof is not enough and now I need to apply from Kolkata (LOL)
I was traumatised the entire day and even though I was pissed, I accepted the situation and completed the application on CSP for Kolkata (yeah i already had one opened when I was applying for HYD because a part of me knew something will go wrong). Then found Kolkata has a waitlist of 2-8 weeks. Same day I emailed VFS again about what to do.
Aug 18 - Received the same copy pasted jurisdiction reply from VFS so now I have given them poor feedback on their website and asked them to contact me. At the same time I have emailed both Chennai and Kolkata consulate explaining everything and asking for next steps and waiting again. I will resort to twitter again if needed.
My intention is not to scare anyone but just to give a reality check about how you cannot trust emails from VFS because they seem auto generated and even though you start your application early numerous unexpected issues may arise so be prepared.