The Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Seattle has officially opened, expanding consular services for residents of the Greater Seattle area. This new facility follows the inauguration of the first Indian Consulate in Seattle in November 2023. The IVAC aims to streamline the application process for visas, passports, Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), and other consular services.

For added convenience, an additional IVAC drop-off facility has been established in Bellevue, located at 1400 112th Avenue SE, Suite 200. This facility is designed to serve residents on the east side of the city, making it easier for them to submit consular applications without traveling to Seattle.

Both the Seattle and Bellevue IVACs are operated by VFS Global, the outsourced visa services partner of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Applicants can find detailed information about the services provided at these locations on the official website, indiainseattle.gov.in. The new centers aim to support the large Indian diaspora across the nine Pacific Northwestern states under the Seattle Consulate’s jurisdiction, including Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming.

The establishment of these IVACs reflects the Government of India’s commitment to strengthening relations with the Pacific Northwest and improving consular service delivery. The centers are expected to offer convenient and prompt services to applicants planning travel to India.

Source: Travel Trade Journal