An Indian visa centre is set to open in Leicester following a twenty year campaign by residents and politicians.
Currently the Indian High Commission only has visa application offices in London and Birmingham but it has now agreed to have a third and is looking to sign a deal to base at the Peepul Centre in Belgrave.
That would reduce the time and expense people in Leicester currently face in obtaining travel documents.
The move is to be officially announced at a lunch today, at the Peepul Centre, hosted by Leicester East MP Keith Vaz, who has led the campaign for a visa centre.
Dr Virander Paul, the new Indian Deputy High Commissioner, will be the guest of honour.
Numerous campaigns, letters and petitions have been presented by Mr Vaz on the issue over the past 20 years
He said: "This is a dream come true.
"I cannot believe that after so many people campaigning over the last few decades that it has finally happened.
"It will allow residents to save even more time and money.
"It shows a fresh commitment of the High Commission to help people of Indian origin in Leicester."
If the deal with the Peepul Centre is finalised Mr Vaz said the new visa centre could open in July.
