iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
US Consul General Melinda Pavek recently inaugurated the relocated Visa Application Centre in Kolkata in eastern India. She said the US’ relationship with India is very important.
“Our relationship with India is important. And facilitating people-to-people connections is at its core,” Pavek said.
“Our nations recognize the immense potential in collaborating across critical and emerging sectors such as technology, healthcare, renewable energy, and space exploration.
“Streamlined visa processes and facilities that prioritise efficiency and transparency facilitate these collaborations, empowering Indians and Americans to explore new ventures and partnerships,” she said.
The official added that the US is anticipating over 1.8 million travelers from India with, further growing the bilateral ties.
The relocated VAC is located at Pataka House (4th Floor), 57B, Mirza Ghalib Street, Taltala, Kolkata – 700016 and started operations on July 28. The facility replaced the one in Jasmine Tower, which was closed on July 27.
Consul General Pavek was joined by Jeffrey Miles, Visa Coordinator for the U.S. Mission in India, who highlighted the increase in interest in travel to the United States, praising the work of consular officials across the country as they worked to reduce wait times.
“As we celebrate the opening of this newly relocated facility, I am reminded of the remarkable achievements in the past year by our consular staff throughout India,” he said.
“In 2023 alone, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India processed a record-breaking 1.4 million U.S. visas. This includes over 700,000 visitor visas, demonstrating the immense interest in travel and cultural exchange between India and the United States.”
The updated VAC will offer the following services to make the visa application process more efficient and customer-centric:
Double Capacity: Nearly twice the number of intake windows to speed up processing times for customers.
Accessibility: Larger and more spacious facility. Bathrooms and processing windows built with wheelchair accessibility in mind.
Customer Service: Dedicated staff to assist applicants throughout the process. Bilingual signage in English and Bengali to guide applicants.
Comfortable Environment: A welcoming and comfortable environment for all applicants during their visits. Convenient windows for passport pick up and drop off.
