South Korea is stepping up its diplomatic efforts in India with the opening of new Visa Application Centres in Chennai and Bengaluru. Starting from September 1, 2023, these state-of-the-art Korea Visa Application Centres (KVACs) aim to make visa applications more accessible for people in the region. Operated with help from VFS Global, these centres join existing KVACs in New Delhi and Kolkata.
The new KVACs in Chennai and Bengaluru will serve residents of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Pondicherry, and Tamil Nadu. The centres will be open Monday to Friday, providing specific time slots for individuals, travel agents, and passport collection. These facilities will handle all types of visa applications, including express ones, offering optional services for a variety of applicants.
The move comes at a time when South Korea is making concerted efforts to promote tourism and business ties with India. This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. In late August, the Seoul-based Korean Tourism Department (KTD) organized a large roadshow in New Delhi to attract Indian tourists. Similar roadshows are planned in other major cities across India.
Tourism between India and South Korea had been growing rapidly until 2019 but saw a decline due to the Covid-19 pandemic and other factors. To turn things around, the Korea Tourism Organization’s (KTO) India office has recently launched a special K-incentive Scheme. This scheme aims to boost sales of Korean travel packages by Indian travel agents. The focus is not just on Seoul but also on other regional tourist spots like Busan, Gangwon, and Jeollanam-do provinces.
The launch of the new KVACs is not just about tourism; it’s also a boon for business. Chennai is home to over 300 Korean companies primarily focused on the automobile and electronics sectors. Bengaluru has also seen the steady growth of Korean IT-based companies. As business activities continue to flourish between the two countries, the new KVACs are expected to facilitate and enhance collaborative visits.
“In a rapidly globalizing world, ease of travel is crucial for both tourism and business. The new KVACs in Chennai and Bengaluru are an important step in strengthening the relationship between India and South Korea,” says a representative from the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chennai.
The new KVACs signify a strengthening of diplomatic and economic ties between India and South Korea. By making visa applications more convenient, these centres are expected to stimulate tourism and enhance business collaborations, contributing positively to the relations between the two countries.