India Resumes Bangladesh Tourist Visas After Two Year Halt
New Delhi will restart processing leisure travel permissions for Bangladeshi citizens beginning June 28, ending a prolonged freeze sparked by regional instability. The policy reversal aims to restore cross-border mobility and revive Indiaβs inbound travel sector, which experienced a sharp decline during the suspension period.
Key Highlights
- Travel document issuance restarts on June 28 following a near two-year restriction.
- The freeze followed the 2024 ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and subsequent security threats.
- Indian tourism suffered a 9.4% drop in foreign arrivals during 2025 due to the freeze.
- Bangladeshi visitor numbers plummeted by 73% during the diplomatic standoff.
India is resuming tourist visas for Bangladeshis from June 28, lifting a temporary restriction it had imposed for nearly two years owing to political unrest and attacks on Indian diplomatic establishments in Bangladesh in 2024. Ties had deteriorated after the ouster of pro-India PM Sheikh Hasina. The situation worsened after student leader Sharif Osman Hadi’s death led to anti-India protests.
| Indian Inbound Tourism Metrics | Statistical Impact |
|---|---|
| Overall Foreign Visitor Decline (2025) | 9.4% |
| Reduction in Bangladeshi Tourists | 73% |
| Total Duration of Visa Restrictions | Nearly 2 years |
Historical Context and Economic Impact
The freeze on travel credentials severely impacted India’s hospitality and economic sectors, given that Bangladeshi nationals traditionally constitute the largest demographic of international visitors to the country. The cessation of these travel services created a massive deficit in regional tourism networks.
Diplomatic relations between the neighboring nations faced severe strain throughout 2024. Following the collapse of the Hasina administration, targeted demonstrations and security breaches at Indian consular facilities prompted New Delhi to freeze consular operations to safeguard personnel, which subsequently triggered a major slump in bilateral tourism.
FAQs
Why did India halt tourist visas for Bangladeshi nationals?
New Delhi suspended travel permissions due to severe political volatility, security threats, and direct hostile actions targeting Indian diplomatic missions across Bangladesh in 2024.
When will the visa processing resume?
The government will officially restart accepting and processing tourist applications from Bangladesh on June 28.
How did the visa suspension impact Indian tourism?
The restriction caused a 9.4% decrease in India’s total international arrivals for 2025, driven primarily by a 73% collapse in the volume of travelers arriving from Bangladesh.
