Bangladesh ‘limits’ tourist visas for Indians

Bangladesh has off limited the issuance of tourist visas for Indian citizens. The issuance of tourist visas has been restricted from the Deputy High Commissions of Bangladesh in Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai. Earlier, the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi and the Deputy High Commissions in Agartala, Tripura and Guwahati, Assam were also taken similar decisions.

The matter was confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday (January 7) night.

The decision has come into effect from Thursday (January 8). According to the new decision, all types of visa issuance except business and employment visas have been suspended for the time being.

According to diplomatic sources, the decision has been taken in the context of security considerations and the ongoing tension between Bangladesh and India.

After the Sheikh Hasina government was ousted from power through a mass uprising on August 5, 2024, four Indian visa centers in Bangladesh were vandalized. Protests were also held in front of the visa center in Dhaka. India suspended visa operations in Bangladesh for a few days after that incident.

Although visa centers were later reopened, India has stopped issuing visas except for medical visas and some urgent needs. Currently, Indian tourist visas are completely closed for Bangladeshi citizens.