Guwahati, Nov 21 (NationPress) In a significant development for the residents of Assam and the North Eastern region, plans are in motion to enable visa seekers to submit their biometric data in Guwahati, thus removing the need to travel to far-off cities such as Delhi or Mumbai, as informed by officials on Friday.

“This advancement comes after an agreement was reached with a company to set up a specialized visa facilitation centre in Guwahati,” an official stated.

On Thursday night, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared this decision via a post on the social media platform X, referring to it as a long-awaited move that will alleviate the travel and financial strain on individuals from the region who intend to travel abroad.

Currently, applicants from the Northeast must embark on lengthy journeys solely for the biometric procedures required for visa applications.

“Planning to travel internationally? Need to provide biometrics for your visa? That used to mean a long trip to Delhi or Mumbai. Soon, this will be a thing of the past for the people of Assam and the North East,” CM Sarma expressed, pleased with the advancements being made to bring visa services closer to the area.

According to the Chief Minister, the upcoming centre in Guwahati will serve visa applicants seeking travel permissions for over 60 nations. Although the definitive list of countries and the operational start date have yet to be confirmed, Sarma promised to provide more information once the necessary procedures are finalized.

VFS Global, which oversees visa application processes for numerous governments globally, has tentatively agreed to establish the facility, marking a vital step in enhancing access to international travel services for the Northeastern region.

For years, individuals from this part of the country have encountered increased expenses, time restrictions, and logistical challenges due to the absence of a local visa processing centre. Officials believe that the Guwahati centre will not only simplify the visa application process but also promote educational, professional, and tourism-related travel from the region.

Students, professionals, and business travelers are particularly anticipated to benefit from the reduced travel time and enhanced convenience.

This initiative is also viewed as part of the state government’s wider efforts to bolster connectivity and enhance access to essential services in Assam and the Northeast, aligning them with other major regions across the country. Once operational, the new facility is set to significantly close an important administrative gap and provide a more streamlined and accessible route for international travel from the region.