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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Culture & Society

Bangladeshis resume travel to India on tourist visas after two-year gap

From Daily Star · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Bangladeshi citizens have begun traveling to India on tourist visas, resuming travel after nearly two years.
  • India suspended most visa services for Bangladeshis in August 2024 due to security concerns, but resumed tourist visa processing in June.
  • The Akhaura International Immigration Check Post in Brahmanbaria has seen the first Bangladeshi tourist traveler cross the border.

Tourist travel between Bangladesh and India has resumed after a nearly two-year hiatus. Bangladeshi citizens are now traveling to India on tourist visas through the Akhaura International Immigration Check Post in Brahmanbaria. This marks a significant shift, as most Bangladeshis previously traveled to India for medical or business purposes.

India had suspended almost all visa services for Bangladeshi citizens following a political changeover on August 5, 2024, citing security concerns. However, tourist visa processing has since restarted at Indian Visa Application Centres across Bangladesh, with visas being issued from July 8.

Immigration officials reported the first Bangladeshi traveler crossed the border around 11:30 am on Thursday. Passenger movement is anticipated to increase as more visa holders collect their passports and plan their trips. While Indian citizens have been entering Bangladesh on various visa types, the resumption of tourist visas for Bangladeshis is a notable development for bilateral travel.

more travellers are expected in the coming days as visa holders begin collecting their passports.

— Md Abdur RahimSub-Inspector of Akhaura Immigration Police commenting on the expected increase in passenger movement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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