India will fully restore visa processing services in Bangladesh within days, ending a year-long suspension that severely disrupted business travel and cross-border operations between the two countries.
Assistant High Commissioner Aniruddha Das announced on February 19, 2026 in Sylhet that all visa categories will resume processing after being suspended in early 2025. The suspension occurred amid anti-India protests and a prolonged government transition in Bangladesh, according to Indian consular officials and diplomatic sources.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Effective Date | Early March 2026 (staggered phases) |
| Who’s Affected | Business travelers, tourists, students between India-Bangladesh |
| Key Change | Full restoration of all visa categories after year-long freeze |
| Initial Capacity | 60% of pre-crisis processing levels |
Limited Services During Suspension
Throughout the suspension period, only medical visas and limited double-entry documents remained available for processing. The Dhaka visa center had suspended all routine services, forcing travelers and businesses to seek alternative routes for cross-border movement.
The announcement follows the installation of a new Bangladeshi administration led by Tarique Rahman, which has committed to repairing bilateral relations between the two nations.
Business Impact and Recovery
The visa freeze created significant challenges for companies operating across both countries. Indian multinationals and Bangladeshi suppliers were forced to use expensive detours through third-country consulates to move engineers and managers across the border.
Garment exporters in Chittagong and pharmaceutical firms in Hyderabad estimate the suspension added up to two weeks to project timelines. These industries rely heavily on reciprocal site visits for operations and quality control.
For businesses planning time-sensitive travel in March, securing appointments immediately after booking windows reopen will be crucial, as processing capacity remains limited initially.
Operational Changes and Preparations
Consular officials confirm that software updates to the Integrated Visa Application Centre are already underway, along with redeployment of security staff. Business, tourist and student appointments will return in staggered phases starting early March.
The Sylhet visa centre will initially operate at 60% of its pre-crisis capacity while clearing accumulated backlogs from the suspension period.
Important operational details for applicants:
- E-Visas remain unavailable
- Paper applications are mandatory
- In-person biometrics required for all categories
- Limited initial processing capacity
Indian businesses with operations in Bangladesh should review our comprehensive visa guidance for updated procedures. Companies can also use our Document Checklist to prepare complete application packages before appointment booking opens.
To book visa appointments, applicants should visit the official Indian consular services website at vfsglobal.com/India/Bangladesh or contact the Dhaka High Commission at +880-2-9882339. The Sylhet assistant high commission can be reached at +88-0821-713636 for appointment inquiries.
This restoration marks a significant step toward normalizing cross-border business operations that were severely impacted during the diplomatic tensions of 2025.
Source: Assistant High Commissioner’s Office, Sylhet; Indian High Commission, Dhaka
FAQ
Q: When will India resume all visa services in Bangladesh? A: Business, tourist and student visa appointments will reopen in staggered phases from early March 2026, according to Indian consular officials.
Q: Which visas were available during the suspension? A: Only medical visas and limited double-entry documents were processed during the year-long suspension that began in early 2025.
Q: Are e-Visas available for Indian visa applications from Bangladesh? A: No, e-Visas are not yet available. Paper applications and in-person biometrics remain mandatory for all Indian visa categories.
Q: What is the processing capacity at visa centers initially? A: The Sylhet visa centre will initially handle no more than 60 percent of its pre-crisis capacity while clearing backlogs.