Guwahati: Residents of Assam and the wider North East will soon be able to complete biometric submissions for visa applications without travelling to metropolitan cities, with VFS Global agreeing in principle to set up a visa facilitation centre in Guwahati.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the development on 20 November, calling it a major relief for people who currently undertake long journeys to Delhi or Mumbai for biometric processing. He stated on social media that the new facility would eliminate the need for such extensive travel, particularly for those planning international trips.
The centre will offer visa processing services for over 60 countries, although the specific list of participating nations and the operational timeline have not yet been revealed. VFS Global, which runs visa application centres across the world, has accepted the proposal and is expected to outline further details soon.
According to the Chief Minister, updates on the rollout schedule and country coverage will be provided once formal arrangements are completed. The initiative is anticipated to significantly reduce both travel expenses and time for applicants from the North Eastern region, who have long faced logistical challenges due to consular services being concentrated in major cities.
