India is set to resume tourist visa applications for Bangladeshi nationals from 28 June 2026, restoring an important travel route for leisure trips, family visits and general travel after a near two-year pause.
The restart was announced in Dhaka by Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi, according to multiple Indian and Bangladeshi media reports quoting his remarks at the Indian Visa Application Centre. Applications are expected to reopen first at five Indian Visa Application Centres in Bangladesh: Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chittagong, Sylhet and Khulna.
What changes for travelers from Bangladesh
For Bangladeshi passport holders planning holidays, family travel or other non-medical trips to India, the key change is that tourist visa applications should again be accepted from 28 June 2026. During the scaled-down period, India continued prioritising urgent medical, humanitarian and emergency travel, but normal tourist visa processing was not available.
Travelers should still treat the first days of the reopening as a transition period. Appointment availability may be limited, processing times can vary, and IVAC or High Commission instructions may change at short notice. Do not book non-refundable flights, hotels or train tickets until your visa is issued and your passport has been returned.
Where applications are expected to reopen first
Reports say tourist visa applications will initially resume through five IVAC locations in Bangladesh:
- Dhaka
- Rajshahi
- Chittagong
- Sylhet
- Khulna
Further expansion may follow, but travelers should check the official IVAC Bangladesh website before choosing an appointment location.
How the India visa process works
The official India Visa Online system describes a regular visa process in three broad steps: complete the online application, submit the printed and signed form with passport and supporting documents at the relevant Indian Visa Application Centre or Indian mission, then collect the passport after processing.
The India visa portal for Bangladesh lists tourist visas as one of the available categories. Its visa-provision table lists tourist visas as valid for up to 180 days, multiple entry, and not extendable in India. However, the actual visa validity, number of entries and conditions are decided by the Indian mission for each application, so travelers should read the visa sticker and approval conditions carefully.
The Bangladesh-specific portal states that Indian missions generally require a minimum of three working days to process an application after receipt, excluding special cases. In practice, applicants should allow extra time for appointment availability, document checks, holidays and possible additional scrutiny.
Costs and fraud warning
IVAC Bangladesh states that the Government of India does not charge visa fees to Bangladeshi citizens under the existing policy. IVAC charges a processing fee, listed by IVAC as BDT 1,500 all-inclusive from 10 August 2025.
Travelers should avoid agents or intermediaries claiming guaranteed appointment slots or faster visa issuance. IVAC warns that Indian High Commission or Assistant High Commission officials do not contact applicants through personal calls, social media or third-party intermediaries to sell appointment slots. Any request for extra payment beyond the official IVAC processing fee should be treated as suspicious.
What to check before applying
- Confirm that tourist visa appointments are open for your preferred IVAC branch.
- Use only the official India Visa Online or Bangladesh India visa portal to complete the application form.
- Print and sign the completed form before submission.
- Check current document requirements for tourist visas before your appointment.
- Keep enough time between the appointment and planned travel date.
- Do not rely on social-media posts or agents for appointment availability or visa rules.
Why this matters
The reopening matters most for Bangladeshi travelers who were unable to plan ordinary trips to India while tourist visas were suspended. It should make short leisure trips, family visits and cross-border travel planning more practical again, especially for travelers using the major IVAC centres in Bangladesh.
The update also reduces uncertainty for people who were considering medical or emergency categories for trips that were actually tourism or family-related. Those travelers should now check whether a regular tourist visa is the correct category instead of applying under a category that does not match the purpose of travel.
One caveat: the practical reopening depends on official appointment availability and operational instructions at IVAC branches. Travelers should verify the current status directly with the official visa portals before making firm travel plans.
Primary sources
Frequently Asked Questions
The announced restart date is 28 June 2026. Travelers should still confirm appointment availability on the official IVAC Bangladesh or India Visa Online portals before planning travel.
Reports say tourist visa applications will initially resume at IVAC centres in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chittagong, Sylhet and Khulna.
IVAC Bangladesh states that the Government of India does not charge visa fees to Bangladeshi citizens under the existing policy. IVAC charges a processing fee, listed as BDT 1,500 all-inclusive from 10 August 2025.
It is safer to wait until the visa has been issued and the passport returned. Appointment slots, processing times and operational rules may vary during the reopening period.
