BLS International Services Ltd , a global tech-enabled services partner for governments and diplomatic missions, has clinched a significant 3-year contract with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India. The agreement tasks BLS International with establishing and operating Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in China, marking a notable development in Indo-China diplomatic services.

Contract Details

The contract, set to commence on October 14, 2025, involves setting up IVACs in three major Chinese cities:

These centers aim to provide streamlined, secure, and customer-friendly visa services to applicants in China. BLS International plans to incorporate enhanced infrastructure, advanced technology, and multilingual staff to ensure a seamless experience for visa applicants.

Company's Perspective

Mr. Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director of BLS International Services Ltd, expressed the company's sentiment: "We are honoured to receive this prestigious contract from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and look forward to providing excellent services. We believe this is a significant milestone for BLS International and these IVACs will play a vital role in facilitating reliable and user-centric visa services."

Impact and Implications

This contract reinforces BLS International's position in the consular outsourcing industry. The company, which processes millions of applications annually, operates in over 70 countries with a focus on transparency, compliance, and customer satisfaction.

The establishment of these IVACs in China could potentially facilitate easier travel between India and China, which may have broader implications for business, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two nations.

About BLS International

BLS International Services Ltd. has been setting benchmarks in visa, passport, consular, citizen, e-governance, attestation, biometric, e-visa, and retail services since 2005. The company's extensive network includes:

The company is recognized as "India's Most Valuable Companies" by Business Today Magazine and as a "Best under a Billion' Company" by Forbes Asia.

As this development unfolds, it will be interesting to observe its impact on Indo-China relations and the efficiency of visa processing between the two nations.

BLS International Services Ltd. , a New Delhi-based company specializing in outsourced government services, has secured a significant legal victory after the Delhi High Court set aside the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) debarment order that had restricted the company from participating in government tenders.

Court Victory Overturns Debarment

The Delhi High Court has quashed the two-year debarment order previously imposed by the MEA on BLS International Services Limited. The company had challenged the debarment through a writ petition, successfully arguing against the restrictions that prevented participation in future tenders of the MEA and India Missions abroad.

Background and Context

The original debarment, announced in October 2025, had stemmed from allegations including court cases and complaints from passport applicants. At the time, BLS International had indicated it would assess the order and pursue legal remedies, which has now proven successful.

Financial Impact Assessment

BLS International's exposure to Indian Missions represents a measured portion of its overall business:

With the debarment now lifted, the company can resume normal tender participation activities with the MEA and India Missions abroad, potentially stabilizing this revenue stream.

Operational Landscape

BLS International continues to navigate a complex visa processing environment. Recent industry developments include increased visa processing fees across several countries, with the United States introducing an additional $250 'Visa Integrity Fee' for non-immigrant categories. Processing delays have also become significant, with Schengen visas taking up to four to six months, creating challenges for travelers through increased costs and scheduling complications.

Market Position

BLS International Services Ltd. maintains its position as a specialist in visa, passport, and consular services. The company's diverse portfolio of services and international operations provide stability beyond its dealings with the Indian government, which may have contributed to market resilience during the debarment period.

The successful legal challenge demonstrates the company's commitment to protecting its business interests and maintaining its operational capabilities in the government services sector.