Industry Odisha Bureau, Oct 15: Residents of the Northeast can now access visa application services for 14 countries in Guwahati, following the inauguration of the region’s first visa centre on Thursday.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the facility, operated by VFS Global. It will accept visa applications for the following countries: United Kingdom, Japan, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Malta and Morocco.
The centre is expected to reduce the need for applicants from Assam and neighboring northeastern states to travel outside the region to submit visa applications. Students planning to study abroad, tourists, business travellers and other international travellers are among those who could benefit from the facility.
Tourism Minister Ajanta Neog, Transport Minister Charan Boro and Yusmi Talwa, VFS Global CEO for South Asia attended the inauguration. Representatives of the diplomatic missions of Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Italy and France were also present.
VFS Global, notably, provides administrative support for visa applications on behalf of governments and diplomatic missions. The company, however, does not decide whether an application is approved or rejected. Those decisions remain with the respective countries’ authorised authorities.
Applicants must check the centre’s official channels for appointment availability, document requirements and applicable service fees before visiting.
HCM Dr. @himantabiswa today inaugurated Northeast India’s first Visa Application Centre in Guwahati, established by VFS Global at Khanapara.
The centre will facilitate visa applications for multiple countries, including Schengen nations, bringing international travel services closer to the people of Assam and the Northeast.
— Chief Minister Assam (@CMOfficeAssam) October 15, 2026
