India has announced the resumption of tourist visa services for Bangladeshi citizens from June 28, 2026, marking a significant development in bilateral relations and a renewed effort to strengthen people-to-people ties between the two neighbouring countries. The decision comes nearly two years after India curtailed its visa operations in Bangladesh following attacks on its diplomatic establishments amid political unrest in 2024.
The announcement was made by Dinesh Trivedi during his visit to the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka on Thursday. Addressing officials and visitors, Trivedi expressed satisfaction over the restoration of regular tourist visa services.
“I am very happy to announce that we are resuming our normal visa applications for tourist visas, which can be submitted from Sunday, 28th June 2026. We will continue to facilitate medical visas and urgent visas on humanitarian grounds,” he said.
According to the High Commissioner, tourist visa applications will initially be accepted through five visa centres located in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chittagong, Sylhet and Khulna. He added that the network of centres may be expanded further in the future to improve accessibility for applicants across Bangladesh.
Trivedi expressed hope that the move would contribute to deeper engagement between the people of the two countries and reinforce longstanding cultural and social connections.
Earlier in the day, Trivedi formally began his diplomatic tenure in Bangladesh by presenting his credentials to Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban, the presidential palace in Dhaka. Appointed on April 27, 2026, Trivedi is the first politician to serve as India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh.
A spokesperson for Bangabhaban confirmed that the envoy had officially commenced his assignment in Dhaka following the presentation of credentials.
India’s decision to restore tourist visas follows an extended suspension triggered by security concerns arising from attacks on Indian establishments in Bangladesh during political unrest in August 2024.
On August 5, 2024, the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre was vandalised and set ablaze. Several Indian Visa Application Centres across Bangladesh also came under attack, while Indian personnel involved in various development projects reportedly faced threats.
In response to the deteriorating security situation, the High Commission of India significantly reduced its visa operations in Bangladesh and suspended tourist visa services.
Despite the suspension of tourist visas, India continued to process applications for medical treatment and humanitarian emergencies. Visa centres in Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Sylhet and Rajshahi remained operational to facilitate essential travel requirements.
Officials noted that India has been issuing more than 1,500 visas daily across various categories, excluding tourist visas. Medical and emergency cases continued to receive priority processing, with special arrangements made for applicants requiring urgent travel.
The restoration of tourist visa services is expected to boost travel, cultural exchanges and business interactions between India and Bangladesh, signalling a gradual return to normalcy in bilateral engagement after a prolonged period of disruption.
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