After nearly two years of suspension, India has officially resumed tourist visa services for Bangladeshi citizens, marking a significant step toward normalizing travel between the two neighboring countries.
The application process for tourist visas began on Sunday at Indian Visa Application Centers (IVACs) located in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna.
The announcement came shortly after the arrival of India’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi. He stated that, alongside tourist visas, efforts are also being made to expedite the processing of medical visas on humanitarian grounds. Authorities plan to gradually extend the service to all IVAC centers across the country, restoring visa operations to full capacity.
New Appointment-Based Application System
Under the revised system, applicants must book an online appointment at least one day before visiting an IVAC center to submit documents in person.
Tourist visa applications are currently being accepted at the five major IVAC centers in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna.
Step 1: Complete the Online Visa Form
The first stage of the process requires applicants to fill out the visa application form online through India’s official visa portal.
All information must be entered accurately. Once completed, applicants should download and save the application form as a PDF file on their computer or mobile device.
Step 2: Book an Appointment Slot
Appointment booking is now the most important and mandatory part of the application process.
Applicants intending to submit documents on the next working day must complete the online slot booking process on the previous day.
File Upload Procedure
Between 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., applicants must sign up on the designated IVAC portal and upload the PDF version of their completed visa application form.
Authorities have advised applicants to ensure that uploaded files are not older than 30 days. Any edited, altered, or invalid documents may result in immediate cancellation of the application.
Only applicants who successfully upload their files before the 4:30 p.m. deadline will be eligible to proceed to the next stage.
Verification Through OTP
During registration, applicants must provide the same email address used in their visa application form.
Separate One-Time Passwords (OTPs) will be sent to both the registered email address and mobile number. Applicants must verify both codes to activate their accounts.
After verification, users can complete registration by providing personal information and then log into the system using their mobile number and password.
A new OTP will be sent during login, allowing access to the appointment booking section.
Appointment Confirmation and Processing Fee
Once required documents have been uploaded, applicants must wait until 6:00 p.m., when appointment slots become available.
The system will automatically assign an appointment time for the following working day. Applicants will have the option to modify the assigned time once if necessary.
After confirming the appointment, applicants must pay a processing fee of Tk 1,500 online.
Officials have clarified that the Government of India does not charge a visa fee for tourist visas. However, the IVAC processing fee remains mandatory.
Required Documents
Applicants must bring the following documents when visiting the visa application center:
Passport
- Original passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
- Minimum of two blank pages.
- Copies of the first four pages of the current passport.
- All previous passports, if available.
Photograph
- One recent color photograph (2×2 inches) taken within the last three months.
Identity Document
- National Identity Card (NID) or Birth Registration Certificate.
Proof of Address
- Copy of an electricity, gas, or water utility bill issued within the past six months.
Proof of Occupation
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) for salaried employees.
- Student ID card for students.
- Updated trade license for business owners.
Proof of Financial Capability
- Evidence of foreign currency endorsement equivalent to at least USD 150, or
- Copy of an international credit card, or
- Updated bank statement covering the last three months showing sufficient funds.
Passport Delivery Notification
Upon completion of the visa processing procedure, applicants will receive an SMS notification informing them of the date when their passport will be ready for collection.
The reopening of tourist visas is expected to facilitate travel, tourism, family visits, and people-to-people exchanges between Bangladesh and India after an extended suspension period.
