India Reopens Regular Visa Processing For Bangladeshi Applicants Across Missions

India is set to resume regular visa operations in Bangladesh, nearly two years after services were significantly curtailed following the political unrest that led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. The decision marks a major step towards restoring normal people-to-people exchanges between the two neighbouring countries. Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi announced that applications for tourist visas will once again be accepted from June 28, signalling the gradual return of full-fledged visa services for Bangladeshi citizens seeking to travel to India for tourism and other purposes.

The announcement came shortly after Trivedi presented his credentials to the President of Bangladesh during his first official engagements as India's envoy in Dhaka. He later visited the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) at Jamuna Future Park to review preparations for the resumption of normal operations. According to the Indian High Commission, Trivedi described the Dhaka IVAC as one of India's largest visa facilitation centres globally and emphasised its importance in strengthening people-to-people ties, cultural exchanges, business travel and educational opportunities between the two countries. The visit underscored India's intention to restore regular consular services following months of limited operations.

Visa services had been sharply reduced during the political turmoil that unfolded in Bangladesh in 2024, when widespread protests and violence disrupted normal administrative functioning across the country. Security concerns prompted India to scale back its visa operations, affecting thousands of travellers who traditionally visit India for medical treatment, education, tourism and business. Before the disruption, Bangladesh was one of the largest sources of foreign visitors to India, with the country hosting India's biggest overseas visa operation. The suspension of routine tourist visas significantly impacted cross-border travel and reduced the flow of visitors between the neighbouring nations.

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India currently operates 16 Visa Application Centres across Bangladesh to facilitate visa processing. According to people familiar with the development, five centres have already resumed functioning, while the remaining facilities will reopen in phases as operations gradually return to normal. The phased approach is expected to ensure that infrastructure, staffing and security arrangements are fully prepared to handle the anticipated increase in visa applications. Officials believe the restoration of tourist visa services will benefit travellers on both sides of the border by improving accessibility and reducing waiting times for applicants.

The resumption of regular visa operations is expected to provide a boost to bilateral relations by reviving travel, trade, tourism and cultural exchanges between India and Bangladesh. Thousands of Bangladeshi citizens travel to India every year for healthcare, higher education, religious tourism and family visits, making seamless visa services an important component of the relationship between the two countries. The reopening of visa centres and acceptance of tourist visa applications from June 28 represent a significant step towards restoring normal connectivity after nearly two years of restrictions, reflecting efforts by both sides to strengthen cooperation and deepen longstanding ties.

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