CHICAGO, IL — August 1, 2025: In a landmark move to enhance consular access for the Indian diaspora, the Government of India has inaugurated eight new Indian Consular Application Centers (ICACs) across the United States. The expansion, led by India’s Ambassador to the U.S., Vinay Mohan Kwatra, and seven Consul Generals including Hon. Consul General Somnath Ghosh (Chicago), increases the total number of ICACs in the U.S. to 16, with a 17th center expected soon in Los Angeles.
The newly inaugurated centers are located in Raleigh, Orlando, Los Angeles, San Jose, Dallas, Detroit, Columbus, Edison, and Boston. These ICACs will significantly improve access to essential consular services such as passport renewals, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) applications, visa support, and more.
Designed with community convenience in mind, the centers will operate six days a week, including Saturdays, offering extended availability for working families and professionals.
“Our goal is to bring consular services to your doorstep—faster, friendlier, and more accessible,” said Somnath Ghosh, Consul General of India in Chicago.
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“This is part of Prime Minister Modi’s vision of citizen-first governance. We are proud of our diaspora and are committed to serving them better,” added Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra, India’s Ambassador to the U.S.
At the inaugural ceremony in Chicago, CG Somnath Ghosh emphasized the Indian government’s commitment to the nearly five million-strong Indian-American community across the United States.
“Today we launch not just centers, but a renewed connection between India and its people abroad. This is our way of saying: We are with you,” said Ghosh.
He further highlighted how this expansion benefits the Midwest region, with Detroit and Columbus—both falling under the jurisdiction of the Chicago Consulate—receiving dedicated centers. “This makes services more local and more personalized,” he added.
As part of India’s broader diplomatic modernization strategy, Los Angeles and Boston are also expected to house full-fledged Indian consulates in the near future, expanding the country’s cultural and diplomatic footprint in North America.
New ICAC Locations: Raleigh, NC; Orlando, FL; Los Angeles, CA; San Jose, CA; Dallas, TX; Detroit, MI; Columbus, OH; Edison, NJ; Boston, MA (upcoming).
Key Highlights:
- 8 new ICACs inaugurated, raising the total to 16, with the 17th center upcoming in Los Angeles
- Open six days a week, including Saturdays
- Faster, more user-friendly service delivery
- Expanded services including passport, OCI, visa, and attestation
- New full-fledged consulates planned in Los Angeles and Boston
This expansion underscores India’s deepening relationship with its global diaspora, focusing on accessibility, efficiency, and dignity. The inauguration of these centers is more than just administrative progress—it is a symbolic gesture of India’s commitment to its citizens abroad. For the Indian-American community—the largest democratic diaspora in the world—this move marks a milestone in closer and more responsive engagement with their heritage and homeland.