VFS Global Opens First Multi-Country Visa Application Centre In Guwahati

GUWAHATI: VFS Global has inaugurated its first Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Guwahati, marking a significant expansion of consular services in Northeast India. The facility, located at the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) in Khanapara, will cater to applicants from all eight northeastern states, providing localized access to international travel documentation.

The 3,200-square-foot centre was officially opened on October 15, 2026, by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alongside state ministers Ajanta Neog and Charan Boro, and VFS Global South Asia Chief Operating Officer Yummi Talwar. The inauguration was also attended by diplomatic representatives from Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Italy, and France, underscoring the international interest in the region's growing outbound mobility.

Previously, residents of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim had to travel to major metropolitan cities like Kolkata or New Delhi to submit their visa applications and complete biometric enrolments. The new Guwahati facility will process visa applications for 14 sovereign nations, including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, and Ireland, among others.

While the centre streamlines front-end administrative tasks such as document collection and biometric data capture, the actual visa decisions and appointment availabilities remain entirely at the discretion of the respective embassies and consulates. This launch coincides with VFS Global’s 25th anniversary, adding to its network of 561 centres across 20 Indian cities that serve 53 sovereign governments. Globally, the company operates 4,312 application centres across 170 countries.

"With growing aspirations around education, business, tourism and global mobility, reliable access to visa services is central to turning ambition into opportunity," Talwar stated during the launch. Chief Minister Sarma remarked, "It represents more than a new facility; it represents progress towards a more connected, accessible, and opportunity-driven Northeast".

The establishment of this regional hub is expected to significantly reduce the logistical and financial burden on travellers from the Northeast. By bringing visa services to the commercial gateway of the region, the centre is poised to stimulate local demand for international tourism, higher education, and business travel. Industry observers note that improved access to consular services often correlates with a rise in outbound travel packages and streamlined operations for local travel agents and corporate planners.

As the facility begins operations, it integrates Guwahati into an elite group of Tier-2 Indian cities hosting multi-country visa centres. The move aligns with the state government's broader objective of fostering global connectivity and creating opportunities for the region's youth and businesses.