BLS to operate India visa application centres in China under new 3-year contract

BLS International Services Ltd, a prominent global provider of government-to-citizen services, has been granted a three-year contract by India’s Ministry of External Affairs to establish and manage Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in China. The agreement, effective from October 14, 2025, will see the opening of new centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, marking a significant step in India’s diplomatic and consular outreach in Asia. These centers will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, advanced digital processing systems, and multilingual staff to enhance the visa application experience for travelers. Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director of BLS International, expressed pride in securing the contract and emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering secure, efficient, and customer-focused services. The move comes amid strengthening people-to-people and trade ties between India, China, and the Gulf region, particularly in the post-pandemic era. BLS International, which has been operational in the UAE since 2011, manages visa and consular services for several embassies, including those of India, Spain, Italy, and Slovakia. Its extensive network of 23 centers in the UAE has positioned the company as a key player in India’s global consular service expansion. With operations in 70 countries and partnerships with 46 governments, BLS International processes millions of applications annually. The new contract not only extends the company’s reach from the Gulf to East Asia but also underscores India’s growing diplomatic and technological influence, supported by trusted service networks headquartered in Dubai.