India resumes tourist visa submission from Monday

Bangladeshis will be able to submit passports for Indian tourist visas from Monday as the long-suspended visa service gradually returns to normal operation.

After nearly two years, India has resumed issuing tourist visas for Bangladeshi citizens through five Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna and Sylhet. Applicants have already begun submitting online applications and booking appointments, with passport submissions set to start from Monday subject to available slots.

The resumption marks a major relief for thousands of Bangladeshi travellers who had been waiting for an opportunity to visit India for tourism purposes. However, applicants reported that some procedural changes have been introduced in the application process.

During the suspension period, applicants were only able to apply for limited visa categories, including medical, business, student and certain official visas, which were issued on an emergency basis.

Following the political change in Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, India had suspended tourist visa issuance citing security considerations, while continuing limited visa services for essential travel.

Earlier this week, newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh K. Patnaik announced the resumption of tourist visa services, initially from selected centres, with further expansion expected gradually depending on capacity.

Visa seekers have welcomed the move but urged authorities to further simplify the process for other visa categories, which remain limited compared to pre-suspension operations.

TZ