Speaking at Sylhet Press Club on 20 February 2026, Assistant High Commissioner Aniruddha Das confirmed that India will “gradually restore all visa categories” for Bangladeshi nationals, expanding beyond the limited medical and double-entry business visas currently issued. The move follows Dhaka’s decision to resume full visa services for Indians the same day and is framed as a step toward “stable, mutually beneficial” ties. Although a formal timetable was not released, mission officials said tourist, student and employment visas would reopen in phases once staffing adjustments and security vetting mechanisms are in place. Prior to the December 2025 freeze, India issued roughly 1.6 million visas annually to Bangladeshis—the highest volume handled by any Indian mission worldwide. For corporate HR teams managing Bangladeshi talent on short-term assignments in India’s garments, healthcare and IT sectors, the announcement provides early notice to plan project timelines. Travel consultants advise applicants to monitor the High Commission’s appointment portal, as the first slots may open with little warning and fill quickly. Industry groups on both sides of the border welcomed the reciprocity, noting that seamless worker mobility underpins supply-chain integration in eastern India and Bangladesh’s export-oriented manufacturing clusters. Once reinstated, India’s multiple-entry tourist and conference visas—valid up to five years—will again facilitate frequent cross-border trips for sourcing, trade fairs and training programmes.
