India Restores Tourist Visas for Bangladesh from June 28

India has announced the resumption of tourist visa services for Bangladeshi nationals, marking a significant step towards normalising bilateral consular operations that had been restricted for nearly a year. The decision comes as both countries seek to stabilise relations and restore routine travel channels between their citizens.

India’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh K. Patnaik, made the announcement on Thursday at a press briefing held at the Indian Visa Application Centre in Jamuna Future Park, shortly after presenting his credentials to President Mohammed Shahabuddin.

He confirmed that applications for tourist visas will reopen from 28 June, initially through five visa application centres located in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Khulna. He added that the system would gradually be expanded to other cities depending on demand and operational readiness.

“I am very pleased to announce that we are resuming normal tourist visa services. Applications will be accepted from 28 June,” he said. Emergency medical visa services, he noted, will continue on humanitarian grounds without interruption.

The move follows a prolonged disruption in visa processing that began in July 2024, when several visa application centres in Bangladesh were closed amid political unrest and security concerns. Operations were later restricted to essential categories such as medical and emergency travel.

The restrictions had created significant difficulties for Bangladeshi applicants. Many travellers, particularly patients seeking treatment in India and business professionals, faced long delays and limited appointment availability. Although medical visas remained partially operational, access to application slots was severely constrained.

Indian officials cited security concerns following attacks on cultural institutions and visa centres during the period of instability. As a result, visa processing was scaled back, though centres in key cities continued to operate in a limited capacity to handle urgent humanitarian cases.

According to the High Commission, India currently issues more than 1,500 visas daily to Bangladeshi applicants, excluding tourist categories. Priority has been given to medical and other emergency travel needs during the restricted period.

Dinesh K. Patnaik, speaking after visiting the visa centre and interacting with applicants, said the decision reflected a commitment to people-to-people ties. “This is beneficial for both countries and for ordinary citizens. It was something people were waiting for,” he said, expressing satisfaction on the first day of his tenure.

Diplomatic observers see the restoration of tourist visas as a practical step towards easing travel restrictions and rebuilding normal consular engagement between the two neighbouring countries.