VFS Global inaugurates the first dedicated visa application centre for Northeast India in Guwahati, Assam, at the Inter-State Bus Terminal complex in Khanapara. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says the facility ends the long-standing need for residents across the region’s eight states to travel to cities like Delhi or Kolkata to apply for foreign visas.
The centre is positioned to serve applicants from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. According to reports, it processes visa applications for multiple countries, including Schengen visas and several non-Schengen destinations (with lists of countries varying by outlet). NDTV and Times of India say the centre will handle applications for a set of countries including the UK, and European destinations such as France, Italy and Switzerland, as well as Japan.
The inauguration also takes place alongside other regional connectivity initiatives mentioned in coverage, including changes to international immigration arrangements for Guwahati’s airport and the start of new international flight services from late October. Outlets describe the visa centre as part of broader efforts to improve international travel access and regional engagement.
