Guwahati has welcomed its first VFS Global Visa Application Centre (VAC), marking a significant step in improving access to international travel services for the northeast. The centre, located at ISBT Khanapara, spans 3,200 square feet and is designed to serve applicants from all eight northeastern states Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.
The facility will process visa applications on behalf of 14 countries, including Austria, France, Italy, Japan, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, among others. It will also accept Schengen visa applications, enabling eligible travellers to visit 29 European nations under the scheme.
The centre was inaugurated by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, tourism minister Ajanta Neog, transport minister Charan Boro and VFS Global’s Chief Operating Officer (South Asia), Yummi Talwar. Speaking at the event, Sarma emphasized that the centre would ease the burden on applicants who previously had to travel to distant cities for visa services, saving both time and money. He emphasized that while VFS Global would facilitate the application process, the final decision on visa approvals would remain with the respective governments and diplomatic missions.
Talwar noted that the centre’s opening aligns with growing aspirations in the region for education, business, tourism and global mobility. Guwahati was chosen for its strong air, rail and road connectivity, making it a strategic hub for the northeast.
VFS Global, headquartered in Zurich and Dubai, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The company currently provides visa services for 53 governments across 561 centres in 20 Indian cities and is majority owned by Blackstone.