India will resume issuing tourist visas to Bangladeshi citizens from Sunday, ending a suspension that lasted nearly two years.
The Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) will begin accepting tourist visa applications from Sunday.
India's new High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, announced the decision on Thursday after assuming office. He also said the processing of medical visas would be expedited on humanitarian grounds.
Following the political changeover in Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, India suspended the issuance of all types of visas, citing security concerns.
The Indian Visa Application Centres in Bangladesh had closed on August 4, disrupting passport submission and collection services. Limited passport returns resumed later that month under special arrangements, but new visa applications remained suspended.
Where to apply
Tourist visa applications can be submitted through five IVAC centres across Bangladesh:
- Dhaka
- Chittagong
- Rajshahi
- Sylhet
- Khulna
Applicants must first complete the online visa application form, download the completed form and then book an appointment before visiting the IVAC.
Appointment booking process
Appointments must be booked one working day before document submission.
Appointment slots for the next working day are released on the previous working day.
Applicants must complete sign-up and upload their visa application file between 2pm and 4:30pm. Appointment booking opens at 5pm only for those who have successfully uploaded their documents.
To register, applicants must use the same email address provided in their online visa application. Verification requires one OTP sent by email and another sent via SMS.
After registration, applicants must log in, upload the required documents and wait for appointment slots to open. At 5pm, appointment slots for the following working day become available. Applicants may change the automatically assigned slot once, if necessary.
The uploaded visa application must be the original PDF generated from the online system and must not be older than 30 days. Edited or altered files will not be accepted.
Required documents
Applicants must submit:
- Original passport valid for at least six months with a minimum of two blank pages
- Photocopies of the first four pages of the passport and any extension pages
- All previous passports
- One recent passport-size (2x2 inch) colour photograph taken within the past three months
- National ID card or birth registration certificate
- Proof of residence, such as electricity, gas, water or telephone bill issued within the last six months
- Proof of occupation, including an employer's letter, student ID card or trade licence, as applicable
- Proof of financial solvency, such as a foreign currency endorsement equivalent to $150, an international credit card or a recent bank statement
- Printed online visa application form with registration number
Visa processing fee
India does not charge a visa fee for Bangladeshi applicants.
However, IVAC charges a Tk1,500 processing fee for all visa categories, which must be paid online while booking the appointment.
Passport collection
Applicants will receive an SMS notification on the registered mobile number once their passport is ready for collection. Passports can then be collected from the designated IVAC centre.