Indian High Commission Announces New Rules for Tourist Visa Applications

India will resume accepting tourist visa applications from Bangladeshi nationals from Sunday, ending a suspension of nearly two years, newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi announced on Thursday.

The Indian High Commission has also introduced a revised visa application process. Under the new system, applicants must book an appointment one working day before submitting their documents.

Tourist visa applications can be submitted at five Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) located in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Sylhet and Khulna.

Revised Application Process

Applicants must first complete the online visa application form through the official Indian visa portal, download the completed application, and then book an appointment through the IVAC appointment system.

Appointment slots for the following working day are released on the previous working day. Applicants can sign up and upload their visa application file between 2:00 pm and 4:30 pm. Appointment booking opens at 5:00 pm only for those who have successfully uploaded their web file.

To register, applicants must use the same email address provided in their online visa application. Verification requires one OTP sent via email and another via SMS. Those who fail to complete registration before 4:30 pm will not be eligible to book an appointment that day.

After logging in with their registered mobile number and password, applicants must upload the required documents. Once appointment slots become available, the system will automatically assign a slot for the next working day, with applicants allowed to change it once if necessary.

Following confirmation of the appointment, applicants must pay the visa processing fee online.

Authorities said the uploaded web file must be the original PDF version of the online visa application, not more than 30 days old. Edited or altered files will be rejected.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit:

• An original passport valid for at least six months with a minimum of two blank pages.
• Photocopies of the first four pages of the passport and any extension pages, if applicable.
• All previous passports.
• A recent passport-sized colour photograph (2x2 inches), taken within the last three months.
• A copy of the National Identity Card or Birth Registration Certificate as proof of date of birth.
• Proof of residence, such as a recent electricity, gas, water or telephone bill (issued within the last six months).
• Proof of occupation, including an employer's letter, student identity card, or trade licence for businesspersons.
• Proof of financial solvency, such as foreign currency endorsement equivalent to US$150, an international credit card, or a recent bank statement showing sufficient funds.
• The online visa application form with the registration number and uploaded photograph.

Applications submitted without previous passports will be treated as incomplete.

Visa Processing Fee

India does not charge a visa fee for Bangladeshi applicants. However, IVAC charges a processing fee of Tk 1,500 for all visa categories. The fee must be paid online while booking the appointment.

Passport Collection

Once visa processing is completed, applicants will receive an SMS notification on the mobile number provided in the application. They can then collect their passport according to the instructions provided.