Source The Hindu
Chittagong: Indian visa application services have been suspended indefinitely at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Bangladesh’s port city of Chittagong, officials confirmed on Sunday. The move comes amid prevailing security concerns and administrative challenges, further disrupting cross-border travel between the two neighbouring countries.
According to sources, the suspension applies to all categories of visas, including tourist, business, medical, and student visas. Applicants who had already booked appointments have been advised to wait for further instructions, while no fresh applications are being accepted until services resume.
Indian authorities have not announced a timeline for the restoration of visa services. However, officials indicated that the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of staff and applicants, following recent incidents of unrest and heightened tensions in parts of Bangladesh.
The closure of the Chittagong IVAC adds to the difficulties faced by Bangladeshi nationals seeking to travel to India, especially patients who rely on Indian hospitals for medical treatment and traders involved in cross-border commerce. Travel agents in Bangladesh said the indefinite nature of the suspension has created uncertainty and inconvenience for thousands of applicants.
India and Bangladesh share close people-to-people ties, with lakhs of Bangladeshis travelling to India annually for healthcare, education, tourism, and business. Any prolonged disruption in visa services could have broader social and economic implications.
Indian officials said the situation is being reviewed regularly and visa services will be resumed once conditions are deemed safe and stable. Applicants have been urged to follow official announcements from the Indian High Commission and authorized visa agencies for updates.
