Bangladesh Visa for Indians in 2026: Current Status, Documents and Fees
By Ananya Singh (Ananya Singh writes step-by-step first-international-trip guides for Indians — passport rules, visa cascade timing, immigration walkthroughs, and the unglamorous logistics that separate a smooth trip from a stranded one.) · Published · Last updated · 11 min read
Bangladesh visa services for Indians were suspended and then restored in 2026. The visa itself is gratis (free) under the bilateral arrangement, but service charges apply — here is the honest, current picture.
Quick answer
Yes, Indians need a visa for Bangladesh, and as of 2026 the service is operating again after a suspension. Bangladesh paused tourist visa issuance to Indians during late 2025–early 2026 amid a diplomatic chill and its national election; services were quietly restarted from late February 2026 and confirmed as fully restored around May 2026. The visa itself is gratis (free of visa fee) for Indians under the bilateral arrangement, but service/processing charges still apply (roughly ₹800 via the mission's centre, more via VFS). You fill the form online on the MRV portal then submit in person. Because this situation has been volatile, verify the current status on the Bangladesh High Commission / visa centre site before applying. See our Bangladesh visa page.
The current status — what changed and when (honest timeline)
This is a sensitive, moving situation, so here is the honest timeline rather than a single static claim. Through late 2025 and into early 2026, India–Bangladesh consular relations went through a difficult patch. Bangladesh introduced a pause on non-essential and tourist visa issuance to Indian nationals around the period of its national election (with tourist issuance reported suspended roughly mid-January to mid-February 2026). Services were then quietly restarted from around 24 February 2026, with the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi again accepting tourist applications, and full restoration confirmed around 2 May 2026 across the Delhi, Kolkata, Agartala, Mumbai and Chennai posts.
By mid-2026, business, tourist and medical categories are being issued, with online appointments and express services reported back. However, because this changed several times in a few months, the single most important step is to check the official mission/visa-centre site for the live status the week you plan to apply — do not rely on any blog (including this one) as the final word on whether a category is open on a given day.
Visa fee: gratis but not free of charges
Under the long-standing bilateral arrangement, the Bangladesh visa is issued gratis (zero visa fee) to Indian passport holders. That does not mean the trip's paperwork costs nothing. You will pay a service/processing charge:
- Via the mission's own application centre: a service fee in the region of ₹700–₹825 including taxes (as reported in 2026).
- Via VFS Global where used: typically ₹1,500–₹2,500, plus extras like courier, photos and any attestation.
Treat these as indicative 2026 ranges and confirm the exact service charge on the official centre's fee page when you apply — the visa being gratis is stable, but the service charges are set by the centre and change.
How to apply — the MRV online-then-in-person process
Bangladesh uses a hybrid Machine Readable Visa (MRV) system. The steps:
- Fill the form online at the official MRV portal (visa.gov.bd) — personal details, travel dates, purpose.
- Book an appointment where required and print the completed form.
- Submit in person at the designated Bangladesh visa application centre / Deputy High Commission with your documents and service charge.
- Collect or receive the passport with the visa after processing.
Because of the recent surge in demand after services resumed, officials cautioned that wait times can stretch around peak periods (for example ahead of Eid). Apply with buffer.
Documents you need
- Passport — valid at least 6 months with blank pages, plus a photocopy of the bio page.
- Completed MRV form printed from visa.gov.bd, signed.
- Recent passport photo per the centre's specification (white background).
- Proof of travel — confirmed/return tickets and itinerary.
- Proof of address & finances — recent bank statement; for the land-port route some applicants specify the entry/exit port.
- Supporting docs by purpose — hotel booking (tourist), invitation/medical letter (business/medical).
The exact checklist varies by category and centre, so cross-check against the official centre's document list before you submit.
Getting to Bangladesh from India
Bangladesh is one of India's closest neighbours and very well connected. Dhaka (DAC) has frequent direct flights from Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru on carriers including Air India, IndiGo, US-Bangla and Biman Bangladesh; Chittagong (CGP) is also served. Many travellers also cross by land via designated ports (for example the Petrapole–Benapole crossing near Kolkata) — if you plan to enter or exit by land or rail, that should be reflected when you fill the form.
Compare live fares on Kolkata to Dhaka and from other metros in the FlightGPT chat at flightgpt.in. For neighbouring-country trips, see our other South Asia visa guides under visas and browse destination guides.
Honest caveats and where to verify
The single biggest honesty point here: this is a recently disrupted, politically sensitive corridor. The visa is gratis and, as of mid-2026, services are restored — but categories were suspended and reopened more than once within a few months, so the live status can differ from what any article says. Before you apply, confirm three things on the official Bangladesh mission/visa-centre site: (1) that your category (tourist/business/medical) is currently open, (2) the exact service charge, and (3) the current appointment and processing timelines. Also factor diplomatic-sensitivity into your planning buffer. When in doubt, contact the High Commission directly.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Bangladesh in 2026?
Yes. Indians need a visa for Bangladesh. After a suspension during late 2025–early 2026, services were restored — quietly restarted from late February 2026 and confirmed fully operational around May 2026 — but always check the live status before applying.
Is the Bangladesh visa free for Indians?
The visa itself is gratis (zero visa fee) for Indian passport holders under the bilateral arrangement. However, service and processing charges still apply — around ₹700–₹825 via the mission's centre, or ₹1,500–₹2,500 via VFS where used.
Was the Bangladesh visa for Indians suspended?
Yes, temporarily. Tourist and non-essential visa issuance to Indians was paused around the period of Bangladesh's national election (roughly mid-January to mid-February 2026), then restarted from late February and fully restored by around 2 May 2026.
How do I apply for a Bangladesh visa from India?
Fill the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) form online at visa.gov.bd, book an appointment where required, print the form, and submit in person with documents and the service charge at the designated visa centre or Deputy High Commission.
How long does the Bangladesh visa take?
Processing varies by centre and demand. After services resumed, online appointments and express options were reported back, but officials warned wait times can stretch at peak periods such as before Eid. Apply with buffer and check current timelines on the official site.
Can I enter Bangladesh by land from India?
Yes, via designated land ports such as Petrapole–Benapole near Kolkata. If you intend to enter or exit by land or rail, indicate the relevant port when completing your visa application form.