Edison, NJ | August 1, 2025 — In a historic development that promises to enhance access to critical consular services, the Government of India and VFS Global have launched eight new Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) across the United States. The announcement was marked by a community launch event in Edison, New Jersey, reflecting the significance of the expansion for the vibrant Indian-American population.
The newly operational centres are located in Boston, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Edison, Orlando, Raleigh, and San Jose, bringing the total number of ICACs in the U.S. to 16. A 17th centre is also slated to open in Los Angeles later this month, further strengthening India’s consular outreach across the country.
Addressing the Edison gathering via video message, India’s Ambassador to the U.S., Vinay Mohan Kwatra, stated, “The opening of these new centres is a major step toward making our consular services more efficient and accessible. It demonstrates our commitment to supporting the Indian diaspora and enhancing people-to-people ties with the United States.”
The centres will offer an array of services, including visa applications, passport renewals, Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) processing, renunciation of Indian citizenship, police clearance certificates, document attestation, and the Global Entry Programme (GEP). VFS Global, the exclusive service partner for these functions, has introduced several user-friendly upgrades such as Saturday service hours, integrated courier return options, and free on-site support for documents and photographs.
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At the Edison event, members of the Indian-American community, civic leaders, and VFS Global representatives gathered to celebrate the milestone. “This is more than a policy change—it’s a game-changer for families, professionals, and seniors who have long faced logistical hurdles accessing services,” said Dr. Aruna Kapoor, a community organizer present at the event.
Amit Kumar Sharma, Head of North America & Caribbean at VFS Global, emphasized the operational significance of this development: “We are grateful for the continued trust placed in us by the Government of India. These centres will play a vital role in meeting growing demand across sectors—from business and tourism to family reunification.”
With over 5.3 million Indian-origin residents in the U.S., including more than 2 million Non-Resident Indians, the move is expected to significantly ease the consular burden on existing facilities while also improving turnaround times and service delivery nationwide.
The expansion comes at a time of deepening India–U.S. bilateral ties and reflects India’s strategy to strengthen global engagement through improved public service access abroad. The Indian Embassy has urged all users to stay updated through its official website and VFS Global platforms for operational details and appointment information.