India is moving to expand visa services in Bangladesh after strong demand followed the restart of tourist visa applications for Bangladeshi nationals.
The High Commission of India in Dhaka said it was encouraged by the response from people wishing to travel to India and that it would continue expanding visa services and making the application process smoother, according to reporting by UNB and ETTravelWorld. The latest statement follows the June 25 announcement that tourist visa applications would resume from June 28, 2026.
For Bangladeshi travelers, the change reopens a route that had been largely unavailable for tourism for nearly two years. Applications are being handled through five Indian Visa Application Centres in Bangladesh: Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Khulna. The Dhaka centre is located at Jamuna Future Park, where local reports described large queues after the restart.
What applicants should check before planning a trip
Travelers should treat the reopening as a gradual restart rather than an immediate return to friction-free processing. Appointment availability may vary by centre, and the Indian mission has asked applicants for patience while services are expanded.
- Start with the official India Visa Online portal to complete the regular visa application form.
- Use the IVAC Bangladesh appointment and centre information to confirm where the application must be submitted.
- Check current IVAC notices before paying fees or travelling to a centre, as slot availability and category rules can change.
- Avoid agents promising guaranteed or faster appointment slots. IVAC warns that extra-payment slot offers are fraudulent.
India Visa Online describes the regular visa process as three steps: fill and submit the online form, submit documents at the Indian Visa Application Centre or Indian mission, and collect the passport or visa after processing. The official processing-time page says an Indian mission or post generally requires a minimum of three working days after receiving an application, excluding special cases and nationality-specific checks.
Fees and practical details
IVAC Bangladesh says the Government of India does not charge a visa fee to Bangladeshi citizens, but applicants must pay the IVAC processing fee. The current IVAC notice lists the processing fee for Bangladeshi nationals as BDT 1,500, all inclusive, effective from August 10, 2025.
The restart is particularly relevant for short leisure trips, family visits, shopping and medical-linked travel that includes time in Indian cities. Medical and other urgent visas had continued during the period when tourist visa services were scaled down, but regular tourism applications had been suspended after security incidents affecting Indian diplomatic and visa facilities in Bangladesh in 2024.
The official IVAC website still carries advisories about limited services and fraud warnings, so travelers should rely on the latest appointment system and notices rather than assuming that every centre has the same availability on the same day.
Primary sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Indian officials announced that tourist visa applications for Bangladeshi nationals would resume from June 28, 2026, initially through five IVAC centres in Bangladesh.
The five centres named in official and media reports are Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Khulna. Applicants should still confirm the correct centre and appointment availability on IVAC Bangladesh before travelling.
IVAC Bangladesh says the Government of India does not charge a visa fee to Bangladeshi citizens. However, IVAC charges a processing fee, currently listed as BDT 1,500 for applications submitted at Indian Visa Application Centres in Bangladesh.
India Visa Online says an Indian mission or post generally requires a minimum of three working days after receiving the application, depending on nationality and excluding special cases. Applicants should allow extra time while demand remains high.
