India Extends Medical Visas for Bangladeshis

In a significant policy shift, India's Ministry of External Affairs has announced that it will begin issuing a higher number of medical visas to Bangladeshi citizens starting August 10. The move is expected to rejuvenate cross-border business and healthcare ties that had suffered in the past year due to restrictive visa policies.

Each year, approximately 3.6 million Bangladeshis travel to India for tourism, medical treatment, and business purposes. However, following changes to India’s visa policy on August 5, 2024, the number of Bangladeshi tourists and patients visiting India saw a sharp decline, leading to a downturn in multiple sectors of the Indian economy.

Indian business owners—particularly in Kolkata’s New Market area, as well as major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Delhi—felt the impact, with many losing their livelihoods as Bangladeshi footfall dropped dramatically. The fallout extended to hospitals, hotels, transportation services, and retail sectors, which had long been reliant on Bangladeshi clientele.

With the latest policy revision, Indian stakeholders are hopeful of a strong rebound. Hospital authorities in major Indian cities, who had seen significant revenue losses, welcomed the decision, expressing optimism that increased arrivals from Bangladesh will help them recover quickly.

Businesses in cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore—home to some of India’s top medical facilities—believe the easing of visa restrictions will restore the flow of Bangladeshi patients seeking specialized care, thereby reviving associated industries.