Indian tourist visa resumes: Long queues on first day at visa centres

Putting an end to a long wait, India has resumed issuing tourist visas for Bangladeshi citizens. The application process officially began on Sunday, June 28, at five Indian Visa Application Centres (IVAC) across the country, with long queues and heavy crowds seen on the very first day.

A festive atmosphere was observed from the morning at the IVAC centre in Dhaka's Jamuna Future Park, with widespread enthusiasm and relief among applicants and tourists following the resumption of the service after a long suspension.

Earlier on Thursday, June 25, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi announced the resumption of tourist visas during a visit to the IVAC centre at Jamuna Future Park. The long-standing visa deadlock was resolved soon after the new high commissioner took office.

According to sources, tourist visa applications are initially being accepted at IVAC centres in five major cities — Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Khulna. The service will gradually be extended to centres in other cities.

Following the political change in Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, India had suspended regular visa issuance citing security concerns. While medical, business and student visas were later issued on a limited basis for urgent needs, tourist visas remained completely suspended for nearly two years. The resumption of the service is expected to revitalise tourism and connectivity between the two countries.