BLS International secures new visa service contracts in Kazakhstan and China

BLS International Services Limited has announced two agreements that broaden its global presence in the visa and consular services sector, one with the Embassy of Cyprus in Kazakhstan to handle visa outsourcing operations and the with India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to operate Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in China.

Under the newly signed agreement with the Embassy of Cyprus in Kazakhstan, BLS International will manage the entire Cyprus visa application process in the country. The company will utilise its global technology-driven systems to offer a transparent and efficient experience for applicants.

“This partnership with the Embassy of Cyprus in Kazakhstan signifies more than an expansion of our global footprint – it reflects our vision to make cross-border mobility simpler, smarter, and more inclusive. Through this collaboration, we aim to deliver an experience that embodies efficiency, transparency, and ease for every traveller to Cyprus,” said Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director of BLS International.

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Moreover, the company recently revealed that it was awarded a three-year contract by the Ministry of External Affairs to set up and operate Indian Visa Application Centres across China. The agreement came into effect on October 14, 2025.

Under the terms of the contract, BLS International will establish and manage Indian Visa Application Centres in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, offering end-to-end visa services for Indian missions in the country. These centres will feature enhanced infrastructure, advanced technology and multi-lingual staff to ensure a smooth and reliable experience for applicants.

“…this is a significant milestone for BLS International and these IVACs will play a vital role in facilitating reliable and user-centric visa services,” Aggarwal said.

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India resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals in July this year, marking a step towards normalising ties that had been strained following the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020. Tourist visa services were suspended at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and remained on hold amid border tensions in eastern Ladakh.