Large crowds gather at visa centres as New Delhi restores tourist visas, signalling a gradual return to normal cross-border travel
India has resumed issuing tourist visas to Bangladeshi nationals, ending a suspension that had lasted for nearly two years and prompting a surge of applicants at Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) across Bangladesh.
Long queues were reported outside the IVAC at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka as applicants sought tourist and medical travel permits following the reopening of visa services on 28 June. The decision is expected to benefit thousands of Bangladeshis who regularly travel to India for tourism, healthcare, education and family visits.
The announcement was made by India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, after he presented his credentials to Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin. Following the ceremony, the envoy visited the Dhaka visa centre, where he confirmed that tourist visa applications would once again be accepted through five visa centres across the country.
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Many applicants welcomed the move, particularly those seeking medical treatment in Indian hospitals
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India has long been a preferred destination for Bangladeshi patients because of its specialised healthcare facilities and geographical proximity
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While tourist visas had remained suspended, India continued to issue more than 1,500 visas daily under other categories, including medical, business and emergency visas, to address humanitarian needs
Visa operations had been significantly scaled back following security concerns in August 2024, when violence in Bangladesh led to attacks on Indian diplomatic facilities and visa application centres. The disruption forced the Indian High Commission to suspend routine tourist visa processing while maintaining essential consular services under enhanced security measures.
The restoration of tourist visas is seen as an important step towards normalising people-to-people exchanges between the two neighbouring countries. It is expected to boost tourism, facilitate family visits and improve access to healthcare, while also supporting broader efforts to strengthen bilateral engagement.
