India raises visa processing fee for Bangladeshis

India has increased the visa processing fee for Bangladeshi applicants, as the issuance of Indian visas to Bangladeshis remains suspended for nearly a year except in cases of urgent medical treatment.

According to the Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) Bangladesh website, the new processing fee has been set at Tk 1,500, up from the previous Tk 824. The increase is attributed to rising operational costs and will take effect from August 8.

This is the first revision of the visa processing fee by India since 2018. However, under current regulations, Bangladeshi citizens will not be charged any visa fee itself — the payment is strictly a service charge.

Limited appointment slots remain open at IVAC offices in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna for urgent medical and other emergency visas. Additionally, Bangladeshi students and workers traveling to third countries via India can also access visa services, though prior appointments at the relevant foreign embassies are mandatory.

The visa suspension continues to impact regular travel, with only emergency and critical cases receiving consideration.