Khairul Alam ; Dhaka — In a major relief for thousands of avid travelers and holidaymakers, India has officially resumed its tourist visa services for Bangladeshi citizens after a hiatus of nearly two years.
The Indian Visa Application Centers (IVAC) in five major regional hubs—Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna—commenced receiving tourist visa applications on Sunday afternoon (June 28).
The highly anticipated announcement came from the newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, shortly after assuming his official duties.
High Commissioner Trivedi stated that alongside reviving the tourism window, special measures have been implemented to fast-track medical visas on humanitarian grounds.
He further assured that operations will gradually expand across all remaining IVAC centers nationwide to fully normalize the visa issuance framework.
Understanding the New Slot Booking System
To streamline the influx of applications and eliminate overcrowding, the Indian High Commission has introduced a mandatory pre-booking protocol.
Under the revised guidelines, applicants must secure an online appointment slot at least one day before physically submitting their physical documents at an IVAC center.
The application workflow is broken down into two critical stages:
Step 1: Digital Form Submission
Prospective travelers must first visit the official Indian visa portal (indianvisa-bangladesh.nic.in/visa/Registration) to meticulously complete the online registration form.
Once filled out and reviewed for accuracy, the completed application must be downloaded and saved in PDF format.
Step 2: Mandatory PDF Upload & Time Windows
The core alteration in the new system relies entirely on a time-restricted file verification process carried out the day prior to submission:
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The Upload Timeline: Applicants are required to log into the designated IVAC portal strictly between 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM on the day before their planned physical submission to upload their downloaded PDF application form.
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Strict Validity Criteria: The uploaded application form must not be older than 30 days. High Commission officials warned that any edited, modified, or corrupted PDF files will lead to immediate and automatic rejection.
Verification and Final Appointment Confirmation
During the initial portal registration, applicants must use the exact email address specified in their visa application form.
The system will issue two separate One-Time Passwords (OTPs)—one via email and another via SMS to the registered mobile number. Both codes must be successfully entered to complete the account verification.
After logging into the verified portal, applicants must upload their primary supporting documents and wait until 6:00 PM, which is when the daily appointment slots are officially unlocked.
Upon logging back in after 6:00 PM, the automated system will generate a specific appointment time for the following business day. Applicants are granted a single opportunity to reschedule this allocated time if it conflicts with their schedule.
Once the appointment slot is locked in, applicants must immediately pay a mandatory IVAC processing fee of BDT 1,500 online.
While the Government of India does not levy a visa fee for tourist visas, this processing service charge is mandatory for all applicants.
Essential Documents for IVAC Submission
When visiting the visa center at their designated time slot, applicants must carry the following set of original documents and photocopies:
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Passport: Original passport with a minimum validity of 6 months and at least 2 blank pages. Photocopies of the first four pages along with all previous cancelled/expired passports must be enclosed.
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Photograph: One recent 2×2 inch color photograph taken within the last three months against a white background.
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Identification: A copy of the National Identity Card (NID) or Birth Registration Certificate.
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Proof of Address: A utility bill copy (Electricity, Gas, or Water) that is less than 6 months old.
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Proof of Profession: A No Objection Certificate (NOC) for corporate or government employees, a valid student ID card for students, or an updated Trade License for business owners.
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Financial Endorsement: A current 3-month bank statement displaying adequate balance, an active international credit card copy, or a foreign currency endorsement of at least USD $150 per applicant.
Following the successful submission of physical documents at the center, the automated IVAC system will track the passport status and notify the applicant via SMS regarding the exact date for passport collection.
Travelers are highly advised to thoroughly cross-check their digital documents before uploading to prevent avoidable delays under the newly implemented system.