Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) across Bangladesh have resumed operations for tourist visas after a closure lasting nearly two years. The reopening, effective June 28, 2026, drew large crowds of applicants to the IVAC at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka, where long queues formed as people submitted their paperwork.
Visa Seekers Express Relief
Chandra Roy, a visa applicant, told ANI, "I've come here to get a medical visa. I have submitted my papers. The services and everything are very good. Two years ago, I had some problems, but now it is very good." He added, "Of course, it is useful. For medical purposes or tourism, both are essential for Bangladeshis, especially medical services." Roy also noted the significance of the tourist visa resumption: "After a long time, the tourist visa has opened. Because of that, everybody wants to go abroad. They want to visit India, like in the old days."
Another applicant, Shakila Akter Seema, shared her experience: "I have come here for an Indian visa, mainly for a medical visa. I receive treatment in Chennai and also at Manipal Hospital in Kolkata. I had also taken a medical visa a while ago; they had given me a six-month visa." She continued, "The doctor asked me to go again, which is why I applied for a new medical visa. Most people from our country mainly go to India for medical treatment, whether it is to Chennai or any other place. Since good treatment is available there, that's why we go. I went to Manipal last time for a check-up and liked it very much, so I am going again."
Announcement by Indian High Commissioner
On June 25, Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi announced the resumption of tourist visas, effective June 28, from five visa centres, including the one in Dhaka. He made this announcement after presenting his credentials to Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban, the presidential palace. Trivedi was welcomed with a guard of honour and later met the President, who expressed hope that Trivedi would contribute to strengthening bilateral relations.
Following the credential presentation, Trivedi visited the IVAC at Jamuna Future Park to inspect visa activities and officially announced the tourist visa resumption.
Background of Visa Suspension
Visa operations were scaled down after August 5, 2024, when the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhanmondi was ransacked and burned down. Five IVACs in different cities came under attack, and Indian personnel on development projects were threatened. Despite security challenges, the High Commission continued to operate visa centres in Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Sylhet, and Rajshahi for humanitarian reasons, issuing over 1,500 visas daily across all categories except tourist visas, with medical and emergency visas processed on priority.
New High Commissioner Takes Charge
Dinesh Trivedi arrived in Dhaka by road on June 12, entering through the Petrapole-Benapole border. He succeeds Pranay Kumar Verma, who served as High Commissioner for four years until May 2026. Trivedi is a former Member of Parliament from West Bengal's Barrackpore and served as Union Minister during the UPA era, holding portfolios of Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and later the Railway Ministry.
