US Consul General Melinda Pavek inaugurates relocated Visa Application Centre in Kolkata, says relationship with India is important

US Consul General Melinda Pavek recently inaugurated the relocated Visa Application Centre in Kolkata when she said the US-India bilateral relationship is very important.

“Our relationship with India is important. And facilitating people-to-people connections is at its core,” Consul General Pavek said.

She said, “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 prioritise efficiency and transparency facilitate these collaborations, empowering Indians and Americans to explore new ventures and partnerships,” she said.

The official further said: “This year, we anticipate more than 1.8 million travellers from India with travel to the United States, further growing the ties between our nations.”

The relocated VAC will be located at Pataka House (4th Floor), 57B, Mirza Ghalib Street, Taltala, Kolkata – 700016 and is operational starting July 28, 2024.

The facility replaces the center in Jasmine Tower, which was closed effective July 27, 2024.

Consul General Pavek was joined by Jeffrey Miles, Visas Coordinator for the U.S. 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, including:

Double Capacity: Nearly twice the number of intake windows to speed up processing times for customers.

Accessibility: Larger and more spacious facility. Bathrooms and processing windows built with wheelchair accessibility in mind.

Customer Service: Dedicated staff to assist applicants throughout the process. Bilingual signage in English and Bengali to guide applicants.

Comfortable Environment: A welcoming and comfortable environment for all applicants during their visits. Convenient windows for passport pick up and drop off.