THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, FEBRUARY 21, 2026

Bhubaneswar is set to join India’s growing global mobility network as VFS Global announced the establishment of a full-fledged Visa Application Centre in the city, scheduled to become operational from April 1, 2026. The move is expected to significantly ease international travel formalities for residents of Odisha, particularly students and business travellers, who currently have to travel to other cities for visa submissions.

In a formal communication to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on February 20, 2026, VFS Global Founder and CEO Zubin Karkaria confirmed that the company is preparing to open and operate a VFS-managed centre in Bhubaneswar following sustained support from the government. The centre will initially accept visa applications for the United Kingdom and select countries in the Schengen Area, with plans to expand services to additional nations in phases as approvals are received.

The facility is designed to reduce travel costs and processing delays for applicants from Odisha by bringing end-to-end visa submission services closer to home. Alongside application intake, the centre will offer visa concierge support, including assistance with documentation, form filling, and travel insurance, making the process more streamlined for first-time travellers and families.

Beyond improving connectivity, the initiative is expected to generate local employment, with VFS Global planning to recruit and train youth from the region to operate the centre. The development is being seen as a step toward strengthening Odisha’s global engagement and enhancing access to international education and business opportunities.

Karkaria has invited Minister Pradhan to attend the official inauguration ceremony on April 1, underscoring the project’s alignment with the government’s broader goal of improving international mobility infrastructure across emerging regional hubs.

With the launch of the Bhubaneswar centre, Odisha will gain a long-awaited gateway to global travel services, marking a milestone in decentralising visa facilitation in India and bringing world-class application support closer to aspirants in eastern India.