Washington: In a major step to improve consular access for the Indian diaspora in the United States, Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Vinay Kwatra announced the launch of nine new Indian consular application centres. These centres will begin operations on August 1 and are located in Chicago, Boston, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Addison, Orlando, Raleigh, and San Jose. An additional centre is expected to open soon in Los Angeles.

The announcement, made via a video message shared by the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, also included a key policy update: all Indian consular application centres across the U.S. will now operate on Saturdays beginning August 1. Ambassador Kwatra said this move will "significantly enhance not just the availability of various consular services but also their accessibility."

The new centres are intended to offer more convenient access to a range of consular services. While some core services will still be handled at embassy and consulate premises, the expansion is expected to ease service delivery and better serve the Indian-origin population.

Kwatra emphasized that the broader presence of these centres will greatly expand the reach and efficiency of India’s consular operations in the U.S. He also reaffirmed plans for two full-fledged consulates in Boston and Los Angeles, which will deepen India’s engagement in those regions.

He encouraged members of the Indian community to follow the embassy’s official website for timely updates on services and centre openings.

According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian-origin population in the U.S. numbers 5.4 million, including over 2 million Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). The Indian-American community is the third-largest Asian ethnic group in the country and continues to play a vital role in strengthening U.S.–India relations.

lays a key role in advancing bilateral relations.