Bangladesh Visa For Indians - Everything You Need To Know

Yes, with some exceptions, Indians typically need a visa to visit Bangladesh. However, holders of diplomatic and official passports may be exempt for stays up to 45 days.

Unfortunately, Indian citizens cannot currently obtain a visa on arrival (VOA) in Bangladesh. While some countries enjoy this convenience, India is not on the list.

If you're planning a trip to Bangladesh, you'll need to apply for a visa beforehand through the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi or a Bangladesh visa application center.

Bangladesh offers various types of visas to accommodate different purposes of travel. These visa types include:

Bangladesh Tourist Visa: For individuals visiting Bangladesh for leisure, sightseeing, or cultural exploration.

Bangladesh Business Visa: Intended for travelers engaging in commercial activities, meetings, or trade ventures within Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Work Visa: Issued to foreign nationals employed by Bangladeshi companies or organizations for a specific duration.

Bangladesh Student Visa: For international students enrolled in educational institutions in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Transit Visa: Granted to travelers passing through Bangladesh en route to their final destination.

Bangladesh Journalist Visa: Reserved for members of the press or media professionals covering events or stories within Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Diplomatic Visa: Exclusively for diplomats, government officials, or representatives of international organizations on official duties.

Bangladesh Visa Types

Bangladesh also offers visas for specific purposes such as journalism, research, diplomatic missions, and religious pilgrimage.

The good news is that Indian citizens have a simplified visa process compared to most other nationalities! Here's are the visa requirements for Indians traveling to Bangladesh.

Visa Fee Exemption:

Unlike many nationalities, Indians are exempt from paying a visa fee for Bangladesh visas [Bangladesh High Commission New Delhi, India].

General Requirements:

These apply to all visa categories:

• • Completed Online Application Form: Completed and signed visa application form
  • Original Passport: Valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in Bangladesh.
  • Two Passport-Sized Photographs: Recent, color photos with a white background.
  • Proof of Accommodation: Hotel booking confirmation or invitation letter if staying with friends/family.

Additional Requirements (may vary depending on visa type):

• • Travel Medical Insurance: Valid for the duration of your stay.
  • Proof of Sufficient Funds: Bank statements or other documents demonstrating you have enough money to cover your trip.
  • Return Flight Tickets: Evidence of your onward or return journey from Bangladesh.
  • Invitation Letter (if applicable): Required for business visas or if visiting at the invitation of a sponsor in Bangladesh.
  • Work Permit (if applicable): Needed for work visa applications.

Indians can apply for a Bangladesh visa online, but the process involves some offline steps as well. 

Online Application:

• • Visit the Bangladesh Online MRV Portal here- 
  • Fill out the application form.
  • Upload a digital passport photo (size 45mm x 35mm, JPEG format, maximum 300kb). This step might be optional.
  • Submit the application.

Offline Steps:

1. • Print the completed application form.
   • Collect other required documents, which typically include:  
     • Original passport (valid for at least 6 months)
     • Two passport-sized photographs (same specifications as digital photo)
     • Confirmed flight tickets (round trip)
     • Payment receipt for the visa fee (there's no fee for Indian citizens)

Submission:

Submit the printed application form along with all the required documents to the nearest Bangladesh Mission or authorized visa application center.

The good news for Indian citizens is that there is no visa fee charged by Bangladesh for any visa category [Bangladesh High Commission New Delhi, India]. This applies to tourist visas, business visas, student visas, and others.

However, it's important to note that there might be other fees involved in the visa application process, such as:

• • Service charges: These are levied by the Bangladesh High Commission or visa application center to cover processing costs.
  • Courier charges (optional): If you choose to have your passport returned via courier service.

Be sure to check with the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi or your chosen visa application center for their current service charges and any additional fees you might encounter.

The processing time for a Bangladesh visa for Indian citizens is generally 5 to 7 working days.

However, the actual processing time may vary due to a range of factors, including:

• • Visa type (tourist visas process faster).
  • Bangladesh High Commission workload.
  • Application method (in person or by mail).

Bangladesh Visa Processing Time

It depends on the type of visa you currently hold and how long you intend to stay in Bangladesh. Here's a breakdown:

Short-term visas (tourist, business, transit): These visas are typically valid for 30 days to 3 months. If your stay exceeds the validity period, you will need to renew your visa before it expires.

Long-term visas (student, work): These visas might be issued for the duration of your studies or employment contract, with possibilities for renewals.

General Steps for Visa Renewal (if applicable):

• • Review your current visa and note the expiry date.
  • Check the Bangladesh embassy or consulate website for renewal requirements and procedures. These may differ depending on your visa type.
  • Gather the necessary documents for renewal. This might include your passport, visa application form, proof of travel insurance, and possibly additional documents depending on your visa type.
  • Submit your application and required documents to the Bangladesh embassy or consulate. There might be associated fees for renewal.

The process for renewing a Bangladesh visa for Indian passport holders typically involves several steps:

Check Visa Validity: Determine the expiration date of your current Bangladesh visa to ensure you start the renewal process on time.

Collect Required Documents: Gather all the necessary documents for visa renewal. This may include a completed visa renewal application form, a valid passport with remaining validity of at least six months, passport-sized photographs, proof of sufficient funds to support your stay, and any other documents requested by the Bangladesh authorities.

Visit Bangladesh Embassy or Consulate: Indian passport holders can apply for visa renewal at the Bangladesh Embassy or Consulate in India. Visit the official website of the embassy or consulate to obtain information on the visa renewal process, required documents, and any fees involved.

Submit Application: Fill out the visa renewal application form accurately and completely. Attach all required documents and submit them to the Bangladesh Embassy or Consulate either in person or through a designated visa processing center.

Pay Fees: Pay the visa renewal fees as required by the Bangladesh authorities. Fees may vary depending on the type of visa and the duration of stay.

Wait for Processing: After submitting your application and documents, wait for the processing of your visa renewal. Processing times may vary, so it's essential to apply well in advance of your visa's expiration date.

Collect Passport: Once your visa renewal is approved, collect your passport with the renewed visa from the Bangladesh Embassy or Consulate or through the designated visa processing center.

Check Visa Details: Upon receiving your passport, verify that the visa details, including the validity dates and any specific conditions, are correct.

If you're already in Bangladesh and need to extend your stay beyond the validity of your current visa, you may apply for a visa extension. Here's an overview of the Bangladesh visa extension process:

Eligibility: Check if you are eligible for a visa extension according to Bangladesh's immigration laws. Extensions are typically granted for valid reasons such as medical treatment, tourism, business, or other legitimate purposes.

Prepare Required Documents: Gather the necessary documents for visa extension, which may include a completed visa extension application form, a valid passport with remaining validity, proof of sufficient funds to support your extended stay, and any other documents as required by the Bangladesh authorities.

Visit Immigration Office: Go to the nearest Immigration Office in Bangladesh to submit your visa extension application. You may need to schedule an appointment or visit during specified hours, so it's advisable to check the office's operating hours and procedures beforehand.

Submit Application: Fill out the visa extension application form accurately and completely. Attach all required documents and submit them to the Immigration Office. Be prepared to pay any applicable fees for the visa extension.

Interview or Verification: Depending on the circumstances, you may be required to attend an interview or undergo a verification process by immigration authorities.

Wait for Approval: After submitting your application, wait for the immigration authorities to process and approve your visa extension. Processing times may vary, so it's essential to apply well in advance of your current visa's expiration date to avoid overstaying.

Collect Extended Visa: Once your visa extension is approved, collect the necessary documentation or visa stamp from the Immigration Office confirming your extended stay in Bangladesh.

Comply with Conditions: Make sure to comply with any conditions or restrictions imposed on your extended visa, such as maintaining valid health insurance coverage or adhering to specific travel restrictions.

Visa applications to Bangladesh can be rejected for various reasons. Some common reasons for Bangladesh visa rejections include:

Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation: Failure to submit all required documents or providing incomplete or incorrect information can lead to visa rejection.

Insufficient Funds: If the applicant cannot demonstrate sufficient financial means to cover their expenses during their stay in Bangladesh, the visa application may be rejected.

Travel History: Applicants with a history of overstaying visas or being denied entry into other countries may face visa rejection.

Travel Purpose: If the stated purpose of travel is unclear or not supported by appropriate documentation, such as an invitation letter for business or a travel itinerary for tourism, the visa application may be rejected.

Security Concerns: Applicants with a criminal record or suspected involvement in illegal activities may face visa rejection due to security concerns.

Health Issues: If the applicant is deemed to pose a health risk to public safety in Bangladesh or lacks appropriate medical insurance coverage, the visa application may be rejected.

False Information or Fraud: Providing false information or using fraudulent documents in support of the visa application can lead to automatic rejection and potential legal consequences.

Previous Visa Violations: Applicants who have violated visa regulations or overstayed their previous visa in Bangladesh may face rejection of subsequent visa applications.

Lack of Ties to Home Country: If the applicant is unable to demonstrate strong ties to their home country, such as stable employment, property ownership, or family commitments, the visa application may be rejected due to concerns about the applicant's intention to return.