Residents of Assam and the North East will soon be able to submit biometric data for visa applications without travelling to Delhi or Mumbai, thanks to VFS Global’s agreement to set up a dedicated visa facilitation centre in Guwahati.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the development on November 20, calling it a major relief for individuals who currently undertake long and costly journeys to access visa services.
“Thinking of traveling abroad? Need biometrics to apply for visa? Till now it should have been a long journey to Delhi or Mumbai. But soon this process will become history for our Assam and North East people. Happy to announce that VFS Global has primarily issued a moral consent to establish dedicated visa facility centre for 60+ countries in Guwahati.
I will inform you all the details including which countries will be able to apply for visa in Guwahati, opening centre schedule etc.
Travelling abroad? Need to submit biometrics for you visa application? That meant a long journey to either Delhi or Mumbai.
Soon this will be history for our people from Assam and the North East. Happy to share that VFS Global has agreed in principle to set up a dedicated visa facilitation centre for over 60+ countries in Guwahati.
We will be sharing more details soon – such as countries for which visa application can be made in Guwahati, opening time lines etc.. Do stay tuned,” Sarma wrote on social media.
The upcoming facility expected to offer visa processing services for over 60 countries. However, details regarding the specific countries covered and the date of operational launch have not yet been released.
VFS Global, which manages visa centres across the world, has agreed in principle to the proposal. According to the Chief Minister, further updates on the list of participating countries and the opening schedule will shared soon.
The new centre anticipated to significantly reduce travel time and expenses for applicants across the North Eastern states, who have long faced challenges due to limited access to consular services in the region.