You are here

VFS visa form error: Cast from string "undefined / undefined / undefined" to type 'Date' is not valid.

Submitted by Karthik on 15 January, 2008 - 03:49

The U.S VFS visa application site for India is a wonderful example of how not to design a website. However, rather than ranting, let me cut to the chase ...

If you received the error message Cast from string "undefined/undefined/undefined" to type 'Date' is not valid. while filling in the visa form, it's not your fault. You are probably using Firefox (very likely on Linux). The following are a few recommendations that will help you in filling in the form (in its present state):

  • Do not use Firefox. Use Opera or Internet Explorer and this error can be avoided.
  • Regardless of your browser, be sure to turn off any pop-up blockers. The site, depending on its mood, will display error and status messages in pop-ups, javascript alerts and HTML.
  • The CAPTCHA (alphanumeric code embedded in an image) images are inscrutable and does not regenerate if you make an error. If you are stuck, go back to the previous page and click continue to force it to regenerate.
  • Be sure to fill the main visa application forms carefully:
    • Avoid using any punctuations anywhere. They trigger errors.
    • Be sure that every field is addressed. For e.g., there is a series of yes/no checkboxes related to relatives living in the US - ensure that you select No for fields that do not apply rather than omitting that field.
  • When you get to the option where you can save your progress, do so.
  • In a confidence inspiring (sic) measure, your session is stored in the URL. You can copy the URL and open it in a different browser if necessary and pick up where you left off.

FWIW, the website is outsourced to an Indian intermediary named VFS Global which (poorly, as the link will attest) handles visa applications in many countries worldwide.

Forums:

Karthik - thank you very much for posting this message. I got stuck on the error, and switched to IE (ugh) after reading your post. Thanks again.

Thanks a lot. Faced the similar issue using firefox and a google search to your webpage resolved the issue.

Hey Buddy,

Thanks a lot. I got the same error message and it worked when i switched to IE after reading your comments. '

Regards

[quote=Karthik]The U.S VFS visa application site for India is a wonderful example of how not to design a website. However, rather than ranting, let me cut to the chase ...

If you received the error message Cast from string "undefined/undefined/undefined" to type 'Date' is not valid. while filling in the visa form, it's not your fault. You are probably using Firefox (very likely on Linux). The following are a few recommendations that will help you in filling in the form (in its present state):

  • Do not use Firefox. Use Opera or Internet Explorer and this error can be avoided.
  • Regardless of your browser, be sure to turn off any pop-up blockers. The site, depending on its mood, will display error and status messages in pop-ups, javascript alerts and HTML.
  • The CAPTCHA (alphanumeric code embedded in an image) images are inscrutable and does not regenerate if you make an error. If you are stuck, go back to the previous page and click continue to force it to regenerate.
  • Be sure to fill the main visa application forms carefully:
    • Avoid using any punctuations anywhere. They trigger errors.
    • Be sure that every field is addressed. For e.g., there is a series of yes/no checkboxes related to relatives living in the US - ensure that you select No for fields that do not apply rather than omitting that field.
  • When you get to the option where you can save your progress, do so.
  • In a confidence inspiring (sic) measure, your session is stored in the URL. You can copy the URL and open it in a different browser if necessary and pick up where you left off.

FWIW, the website is outsourced to an Indian intermediary named VFS Global which (poorly, as the link will attest) handles visa applications in many countries worldwide.[/quote]

Thank you very much .....
I switched to IE and it worked...
Thanks a billlion...

I made a mistake in my visa application.
Where the question is : how long do you intend to stay I wrote 10 months by mistake, however, it is not that. I intend to stay on longer. Is there any way I can change it.

Compatibility issue is one thing but the error message they were generating is horrible. I mean, how would I know what is 'cast', what is 'undefined/undefined/undefined', what is 'Date' type?

At least they should have shown some message saying 'Change browser' or something like that?

I never thought Firefox will be a problem. Thanks so much for your trip. It really saved me lot of time and stress...Good Job!!

Thank u..
This helps me lot!!!

It is Jan 4th, 2010 and the problem still persists. I had this problem in 2007 and forgot all about it. The only consolation is that this post comes up as the first link when the error message is searched! No choice but to use IE. Thanks again.

Thanks for the comments, website is example for how not desgin

vfs is the worst site .