In a major development, Bangladesh has fully resumed visa services for Indian citizens across all categories.
This marks an important step towards improving ties with India after months of political tension.
Visa centres in cities like New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and Agartala are now fully operational.
Since services restarted around February 20, 2026, over 13,000 visas have already been issued.
These include visas for tourism, business, medical needs, and family visits—showing that travel between the two countries is picking up again.
India Taking a Careful Approach
While Bangladesh has opened up fully, India is moving more cautiously.
Visa services for Bangladeshi citizens are being restored slowly.
Officials say services were never completely stopped but were limited due to security concerns in late 2025.
At present, visa processing is running at only 15–20% of its earlier capacity, with priority given to urgent cases like medical treatment and family emergencies.
What Caused the Tensions?
Relations between the two countries became strained after political changes in Bangladesh.
The situation worsened following the removal of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 and the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, which took a tougher stance towards India.
However, ties have started improving after a new government came into power.
Diplomatic talks have resumed, and both sides are now working to rebuild their relationship.
Why Visa Normalisation Matters
Restoring visa services is important for both countries.
Bangladesh is one of the largest sources of foreign visitors to India. In 2023, about 21 lakh Bangladeshis visited India, mainly for medical treatment, business, and family visits.
But due to tensions and stricter rules, this number dropped sharply to around 4.7 lakh in 2025.
With visa services reopening, travel, tourism, and business activities are expected to grow again.
Economic and Travel Boost Expected
Improved visa access can also strengthen trade and cooperation.
India has already taken steps to support Bangladesh, such as supplying diesel during energy shortages.
More high-level meetings and partnerships are expected in the coming weeks.
With new diplomatic appointments and better visa systems likely soon, both countries are moving towards stronger economic and social ties.
Overall, the restart of visa services is not just about travel—it signals a fresh beginning in relations between India and Bangladesh.
