The Northeastern region has welcomed a significant development with the upcoming Visa Facilitation Centre in Guwahati, initiated by the Assam Chief Minister in collaboration with VFS Global, the world’s largest visa outsourcing and technology services company.

• VFS Global has agreed in principle to set up a multi-country visa centre in Guwahati, ending decades of travel to Kolkata or New Delhi for biometric submissions.

Why This Matters for the Northeast

• For many years, residents of Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura had to travel long distances to metro cities for visa processing.
• This created financial burden, time delays, and unequal access compared to other parts of India.
  

Key Features of the New Centre

• Will cater to 60+ countries, as announced by the Chief Minister.
• Currently, Guwahati offers visa services only for Bangladesh.
• Bangladesh also operates centres in Agartala, Silchar and Bongaigaon.
• Significance: Enhance Educational mobility & Tourism & Pilgrimage increase Professional opportunities, bring in Regional equity.
  

Significance for Governance

• Reflects decentralisation of essential services – an important aspect of citizen-centric governance.
• Aligns with Act East Policy, improving the region’s global integration.
  

Exam Hook – Prelims MCQ

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the new Visa Facilitation Centre in Guwahati:

1. It is being set up by VFS Global.
   
2. It will initially provide visa services only for Bangladesh.
   
3. The centre is expected to cater to applications for more than 60 countries.
   

Which of the statements are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: C

SOURCE