Assam Chief Minister Inaugurates Regional Visa Facility in Presence of European and Asian Diplomats

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the northeastern region’s very first visa application centre in Guwahati on Thursday, marking a monumental milestone in enhancing global mobility and accessibility for local residents. Operated by VFS Global, the newly established facility is equipped to process visa applications for fourteen prominent international destinations, including the United Kingdom, Japan, France, Switzerland, Italy, Egypt, Austria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Malta, Morocco, and the Republic of Ireland. During the inaugural ceremony, which was graced by senior state ministers and diplomatic representatives from Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Italy, and France, Chief Minister Sarma emphasized that the center successfully fulfills a long-standing aspiration of the people of the Northeast. He noted that travelers from the region previously endured significant logistical challenges and financial expenses by traveling all the way to Kolkata or New Delhi simply to complete visa formalities. The facility will securely accept paperwork, forward applications to respective foreign embassies for evaluation, and handle the final collection of stamped passports locally. VFS Global’s South Asia Chief Operating Officer Yummi Talwar expressed profound gratitude to the Assam government and partner diplomatic missions for their continued confidence, highlighting that the expansion significantly bridges geographical gaps in international travel services. By bringing world-class consular processing directly to Guwahati, the center eliminates unnecessary travel hurdles, empowers students, tourists, and business professionals across the northeastern states, and fosters deeper global connections, trade, and cultural exchange for the entire region.