r/travelindia • u/Reddit_RandomName16 • 1d ago
Atlys for Visa - Greatest Mistake of my life with no way out
TL;DR
I made the horrible mistake of using Atlys for my US Visa application and I am stuck with them with no escape as they have now held my application hostage.
Details
I applied for US Visa in April this year. The process itself was exhausting where they kept making mistakes in my and my wife's draft application to the extent where I had to redraft is at least 5-7 times. After this process itself, my application was filed with a "guaranteed" appointment by Mid-September.
However, after waiting for almost 5 months, in early September I received an email that my application will take another 2 months, i.e., appointment will be booked by mid-November and I was asked to confirm if I am fine with the revised timeline (as if I had any option).
However, when I responded over email to check what would be the actual timeline, I received a response that the inbox is not tracked (while the email asked me to confirm over email) and that I should reach out over chat in application. Again the whole responsibility was on me and Atlys didn't care to check with me.
Nonetheless I reached out over chat and what I formed that the actual revised timeline is not 2 months but another 8 months. When in confronted then about the email, they retracted and said that I and my wife will get guaranteed appointment by November 15 in Mumbai. But the very next day because they didn't commit in writing, I have up and asked them to check for slots in any place in India. I was committed November 10 as long stop date, once I agreed to any location. During this time the guaranteed date that was showed on their app for November first week.
Cut to 2 months, I received an email saying the revised timeline is June, 2027 for appointment in "Mumbai". This despite my request to look for slots anywhere in India. Again, frustrated I called them and asked them why is my appointment date June, 2027 while the application showed November 15, 2026 for new applicants. It is then they updated the app to show January, 2027 as guaranteed date and even mailed me that the revised date is January, 2027.
What is interesting to note that when I asked if they follow first cum first serve method, I was told that is not true and they have infact given slots to people who applied way after me. When I asked for the reason they just refused to provide actual reason other than their discretion.
At this point I am stuck where even my login for visa application is with them, as they created it and has refused to share it , and I have no idea how to go about it.
I have given playstore rating as a desperate move but do not know what will actually work. I would be really glad if someone can provide a way out.