Expanded facility aims to improve access, efficiency, and citizen-centric services

Indian authorities have inaugurated a new Indian Consular Application Centre in Seattle, marking a significant step toward improving access to consular services for the growing Indian diaspora in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.

The new centre, located at 1015 2nd Avenue, Suite 804, Seattle, WA 98104, is co-located with the Consulate General of India in Seattle. Officials said the move is designed to streamline service delivery, enhance operational efficiency, and provide applicants with a single, convenient location for a wide range of consular needs.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by government and non-government dignitaries, along with more than 300 members of the Indian American community from Seattle and surrounding states, reflecting strong community engagement and demand for improved consular access.

According to an official release, the Seattle facility will function as a one-stop centre for multiple services, including Indian visa applications, passport services, Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards, renunciation of Indian citizenship, Police Clearance Certificates, the Global Entry Programme (GEP), and various attestation and miscellaneous consular services.

The Indian Consulate in Seattle noted that co-locating the Indian Consular Application Centre with the Consulate at the Federal Reserve Building is expected to significantly reduce processing time and improve coordination between consular officials and service providers. Applicants will also be able to resolve queries more efficiently without the need to visit multiple locations.

VFS Global, which manages outsourced consular services for India in the United States, said the new centre is part of a broader effort to modernise and simplify the application process nationwide. The company highlighted several applicant-friendly enhancements introduced under the expanded network.

Among the key changes, the Seattle centre—and other Indian Consular Application Centres in the US—will now remain open on Saturdays, offering greater flexibility for working professionals. Return courier services have been included in standard service fees, eliminating additional costs for applicants. Essential services such as photographs, photocopying, and form-filling assistance are also available within the centre at no extra charge.

The facility is equipped with modern infrastructure and security systems to ensure a smooth, efficient, and secure application experience, with a strong focus on customer convenience and transparency.

Speaking at the launch, Amit Kumar Sharma, Head – North America and Caribbean at VFS Global, said the initiative reflects the Government of India’s commitment to making consular services more accessible and citizen-centric.

“Seattle and the wider Pacific Northwest region are home to a vibrant and growing Indian diaspora. The launch of this Indian Consular Application Centre reflects the Government of India’s vision to improve service delivery and enhance the overall applicant experience,” Sharma said.

Currently, 17 Indian Consular Application Centres are operational across the United States. By November 2025, more than 363,000 visa applications had been processed nationwide, along with nearly 10,000 miscellaneous consular applications since August 2025—underscoring the rising demand for streamlined consular services.

Officials said the new Seattle centre represents another step in strengthening India’s engagement with its overseas citizens while ensuring faster, more efficient access to essential consular support.