US Consul General Melinda Pavek inaugurated the relocated Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Kolkata, replacing the centre in Jasmine Tower, which was closed effective July 27, 2024.
The relocated VAC will be located at Pataka House (4th Floor), 57B, Mirza Ghalib Street, Taltala, Kolkata – 700016 and is operational starting on Sunday, said a statement.
“Our relationship with India is important. And facilitating people-to-people connections is at its core,” Consul General Pavek said on the occasion.
“Our nations recognise 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 prioritize efficiency and transparency facilitate these collaborations, empowering Indians and Americans to explore new ventures and partnerships. This year, we anticipate more than 1.8 million travelers from India to the United States, further growing the ties between our nations.”
Consul General Pavek was joined by Jeffrey Miles, Visas Coordinator for the US 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 in Kolkata will offer a range of services to make the visa application process more efficient and customer-centric.
It will double the capacity with nearly twice the number of intake windows to speed up processing times for customers. It will provide more accessibility with a larger and more spacious facility. Bathrooms and processing windows built with wheelchair accessibility in mind.
To deliver efficient customer service, it will provide dedicated staff to assist applicants throughout the process with options for bilingual signage in English and Bengali to guide applicants.
The relocated center will deliver a welcoming and comfortable environment for all applicants during their visits with convenient windows for passport pick up and drop off.
The US government is committed to continually improving its services and ensuring a positive experience for all visa applicants. The newly relocated VAC is a testament to this commitment and a significant addition to the consulate’s resources.
For more information about the Visa Application Center and its services, one may visit https://in.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/kolkata/.
