In light of Bangladesh’s evolving political situation, India has decided to limit visa issuance to Bangladeshi citizens solely for emergency and medical purposes.
The country may revisit this decision once conditions stabilize, according to a report from Anandabazar Patrika.
On Sunday (September 29), India’s Ministry of External Affairs announced the change.
Randhir Jaiswal, the ministry’s spokesperson, said that visas are currently being issued for medical and emergency reasons only. Full visa services will resume once the situation in Bangladesh normalises.
Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, India temporarily halted visa services for Bangladeshi citizens.
With the instability in Bangladesh, some staff at the Indian High Commission were repatriated.
Although services resumed when the situation slightly improved, protests erupted at Indian visa centres in Dhaka due to long waits and the inability to obtain visas. This disruption led India to clarify its stance on the matter.
Indian High Commission and visa centres began offering emergency services in September under heightened security.
Initially, visa centres in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Sylhet, and Khulna reopened, but only for specific cases.
Priority is being given to those seeking medical treatment, and a notification from India emphasised that general visa services will only resume once Bangladesh’s law and order situation improves.
For now, visas will be issued on a conditional basis.