India Expands Consular Network in the U.S. — 8 New Centres to Enhance Visa and Passport Access

India Expands Consular Network in the U.S. — 8 New Centres to Enhance Visa and Passport Access

India has taken a significant step to streamline consular services in the United States by launching eight new Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) across major U.S. cities. This move aims to meet rising demand from the growing Indian diaspora and ease travel formalities for U.S. citizens visiting India.

With the Indian-American population surpassing 4.5 million, this expansion reflects India's proactive approach to serve a globally mobile population and strengthen people-to-people ties.

Where Are the New ICACs Located?

The new centres are now operational in:

• Boston, Massachusetts

• Columbus, Ohio

• Dallas and Addison, Texas

• Detroit, Michigan

• Orlando, Florida

• Raleigh, North Carolina

• San Jose, California

A ninth centre is soon opening in Los Angeles, further extending India’s reach in the western U.S.

Why This Expansion Matters to Travel Professionals

This isn’t just a bureaucratic update—it’s a strategic shift toward accessible, decentralized, and responsive consular service delivery. For B2B travel professionals, corporate planners, and consolidators, this means:

• Faster visa processing, especially for high-volume routes and business clients.

• Reduced pressure on overburdened consulates in cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.

• Saturday service availability at all new ICACs, catering to working professionals and students.

This expansion adds operational flexibility and reliable service turnaround, two crucial components for travel agents managing urgent itineraries or high-stakes corporate travel.

What Services Are Offered at the New ICACs?

These centres are designed as walk-in support hubs for key services:

• Visa applications: Tourist, business, entry, conference, etc.

• OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) card applications and renewals

• Passport renewal, replacements, and re-issuance

• Attestation and notarization of Indian documents

• Emergency travel documents in certain cases

The ICACs bridge the gap between full-service consulates and mail-based services, offering face-to-face support without long-distance travel.

Who Benefits from This Change?

Indian Citizens in the U.S.

Students, H-1B and L-1 visa holders, and families requiring urgent documentation can now avoid inter-state travel and long wait times.

U.S. Citizens Travelling to India

Easier access to Indian visas means smoother pre-travel processes—especially in cities previously underserved by consular offices.

B2B Travel Agents & Corporates

Agents handling large group departures, VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) segments, or last-minute bookings can now cut down turnaround times and provide faster documentation support.

Strategic Relevance for India-U.S. Travel Ecosystem

India's decision reflects a larger diplomatic and service-led agenda: supporting its diaspora, increasing tourism from the U.S., and modernizing its consular footprint in key geographies.

For B2B players, this translates to:

• Smoother itinerary planning

• Reliable processing timelines

• Enhanced client trust in documentation management

The addition of Los Angeles will complete this rollout phase, but future expansions could target more U.S. metros based on demand patterns.

Final Takeaway for Travel Professionals

The expansion of ICACs is a clear signal: India is investing in convenience, accessibility, and service delivery—aligning well with the needs of today's globally mobile citizens and travel businesses.

If you’re a travel agent or visa consultant catering to U.S.-India travel, this update opens new possibilities for improving client service and operational efficiency.

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