Bhubaneswar: In a major decision addressing a long-standing public demand, Odisha Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi has approved the establishment of a ‘Global Visa Application Center’ in Bhubaneswar. This move is poised to significantly simplify international travel formalities for the residents of the state.
The proposed visa center is scheduled to operate from the Babasaheb Ambedkar Bus Terminal building located in Baramunda, a central location within the capital city. To facilitate the smooth functioning of this new facility, the Odisha government will provide approximately 3,000 square feet of space.
Until now, residents of Odisha, including students, professionals, business travelers, and tourists, were required to travel to cities such as Kolkata, New Delhi, or Hyderabad to complete essential visa-related formalities, which include application submission, biometric data collection, and document verification. This necessity often resulted in additional travel expenses, time consumption, and logistical hurdles.
The new Global Visa Application Center will serve as a facilitation point for processing visa applications for multiple countries through authorized service providers.
Officials believe the center will not only alleviate the burden on applicants but also enhance Bhubaneswar’s growing profile as an emerging urban and service hub, aligning with the state’s broader goals for improved international connectivity and citizen-friendly governance.
The Chief Minister’s Office stated that the decision was taken after considering the inconvenience faced by citizens and the persistent public demand for a local visa facility.