On Friday (local time), Indian Consul General in Seattle Prakash Gupta and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell jointly launched the first Indian Visa Application Centers (IVACs) in Bellevue and Seattle.
Mayor Harrell praised the Greater Seattle Indian community for its role and efforts in strengthening the connection between India and the US during his inauguration speech.
New Indian Visa Centers Open in Seattle and Bellevue: 10 Key Points To Know
- Launch of IVACs in Bellevue and Seattle: Indian Consul General Prakash Gupta and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell inaugurated the first Indian Visa Application Centers (IVACs) in Bellevue and Seattle.
- Acknowledgment of Indian Community: Mayor Harrell praised the Greater Seattle Indian community for its efforts in strengthening the India-US connection during his speech.
- Government Commitment: Consul General Prakash Gupta stated that the new IVACs reflect India’s commitment to deepening relations with the Pacific Northwest states.
- Purpose of IVACs: The IVACs aim to provide a more convenient experience for consular applicants preparing to travel to India.
- Consular Priorities: Providing smooth and efficient consular services is highlighted as a top priority for the Indian Consulate in the Greater Seattle Area.
- BLS International Acquisition: BLS International acquired iDATA, a visa provider based in Turkey, with 37 Visa Application Centers globally, including in 15 countries.
- Strategic Funding: The acquisition was funded through a mix of loans and internal accruals, amounting to approximately INR 720 Crores.
- IVAC Service Start Date: IVAC services are scheduled to begin in November 2023 after the Indian Consulate’s opening in Seattle.
- Additional IVAC Facility: An additional drop-off facility for consular applications has been set up in Bellevue for residents’ convenience.
- Role of VFS Global: VFS Global, in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, will manage and oversee the IVAC Centers in Bellevue and Seattle.
The creation of these additional visa application facilities in Bellevue and Seattle, according to Consul General Prakash Gupta, “reflects the Indian government’s commitment to deepen its relationship with the Pacific Northwest states.”
He stated, “The opening of the Indian Consulate in Seattle is a reflection of the Government of India’s strong commitment to deepen our relations with Pacific North Western states of the US and through the opening of these new visa application centers (VAC) in Seattle and Bellevue, we hope to ensure for all consular applicants a more convenient experience to adequately prepare their travel to India.”
“Providing smooth and efficient consular services is one of our top priorities and we would welcome any feedback and suggestions on further improvement from all applicants as we commence our consular operations in the Greater Seattle Area,” he said.
BLS International acquires Turkiye-based visa provider iDATA
The Czech Republic, Germany, and Italy’s diplomatic missions use the 37 Visa Application Centers (VAC) run by visa supplier iDATA, which is present in over 15 countries and processes visas in addition to offering consular services. Funding for this strategic purchase, estimated to be worth INR 720 Crores, came from a mix of loans and internal accruals.
The Consulate General of India in Seattle released a statement stating that the IVAC services will begin in November 2023, following the opening of the first Indian Consulate in Seattle. The mission of the Consulate General of India in Seattle is to provide consular services, such as visa, passport, and OCI, to residents of the Greater Seattle area.
“For ease of transportation and convenience of residents living on the east side in Bellevue, an additional IVAC drop-off facility for receiving consular applications has also been made functional at 1400 112th Avenue SE, Bellevue – WA -98004 (Suite 200),” the statement said.
VFS Global, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) partner for outsourced visa services, will oversee both the IVAC Centers in Bellevue and Seattle.
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“VFS Global shared a long-standing relationship with the Government of India since 2008 and we are excited to expand our partnership further,” said Amit Kumar Sharma, Head of VFS Global. The new center in Seattle and Bellevue, United States of America will play a crucial role in effectively catering to the growing demand for visa and consular services to India”
“We are confident that these visa application centers will enhance customer experience by making the visa application process even more smooth, thereby helping us serve the travelers and Indian diaspora better,” he said.
The Indian Consulate in Seattle has consular authority over nine states in the Pacific Northwest: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming. It is anticipated that these services would be beneficial to the sizable Indian diaspora living in these areas.
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