India to reopen tourist visas for Bangladeshis from June 28

India will resume issuing tourist visas to Bangladeshi nationals from 28 June, ending a suspension that had been in place since 5 August 2024.

The announcement was made by Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi during a press briefing at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka on Thursday.

The decision marks a significant step in restoring normal travel between the two neighbouring countries. Tourist visas were suspended following political developments in Bangladesh in August 2024, although India continued to issue visas in limited categories, including medical, business and emergency travel in selected cases.

The resumption of tourist visas is expected to benefit thousands of Bangladeshis who travel to India each year for tourism, shopping, family visits and other personal purposes. Before the suspension, Bangladesh was one of the largest sources of visitors to India.

Trivedi arrived in Bangladesh on 12 June to take up his new assignment as India’s envoy in Dhaka. He formally assumed his diplomatic role on Thursday after presenting his credentials to President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban. The former Indian railway minister succeeds Pranay Kumar Verma as New Delhi’s top diplomat in Bangladesh.

The reopening of tourist visa services comes amid broader efforts by Dhaka and New Delhi to restore full-scale visa operations and strengthen people-to-people contacts after nearly a year of restrictions. Recent discussions between the two countries have focused on normalising visa services and improving cross-border travel.

Further details on application procedures and appointment schedules are expected to be announced by the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.