How Indian passport holders get a visa for Bangladesh: visa type, government fee, processing time, maximum stay, the documents required and where to apply. Government-sourced — always verify on the official site before you travel.
Quick facts
- Visa type: Sticker visa — apply at Bangladesh High Commission (free)
- Government fee: Government visa fee is waived for Indian nationals. BDVAC service charge of around ₹825 (₹699.50 + taxes) is payable separately.
- Processing time: Typically 5–14 working days; longer at peak times or during diplomatic slowdowns. Submission is in person at a Bangladesh Visa Application Centre (BDVAC).
- Maximum stay: Up to 30 days per entry; tourist visa validity typically 90 days–1 year, single or multiple entry
- Interview: Not required
- Ease for Indian travellers: 35/100
Documents you'll need
- Passport valid 6+ months with at least 2 blank pages
- Completed MRV application form (printed from visa.gov.bd)
- Recent passport-size photo (white background)
- Confirmed return / onward ticket
- Hotel booking or letter of invitation
- Bank statement / proof of funds (last 6 months)
- Old / previous passports (if any)
How & where to apply
Fill the MRV form online at visa.gov.bd, then submit the printed application with documents in person at a Bangladesh Visa Application Centre (BDVAC) — Kolkata, Siliguri, Guwahati, Bongaigaon and Silchar — or at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi / Deputy High Commissions in Mumbai, Chennai, Agartala. No eVisa or VOA for Indian tourists. Bangladesh Online MRV Portal (official)
Transit & connections
Airside transit at Dhaka (DAC) without clearing immigration does not require a visa. Land-port transit or any immigration clearance needs a valid sticker visa.
How Bangladesh compares in the subcontinent
With an ease score of 35/100 this is one of the tougher applications for Indians — expect strict document scrutiny and plan well ahead of travel. Bangladesh requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
| Country | Visa type | Government fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | Sticker visa — apply at Bangladesh High Commission (free) | Government visa fee is waived for Indian nationals. BDVAC service charge of around ₹825 (₹699.50 + taxes) is payable separately. | Typically 5–14 working days; longer at peak times or during diplomatic slowdowns. Submission is in person at a Bangladesh Visa Application Centre (BDVAC). |
| 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | eVisa (ETA) — apply online before travel | Currently free for Indian nationals (the standard US$20 ETA fee is waived under Sri Lanka's active free-ETA scheme — reconfirm it is still in force). | Usually 24–48 hours by email |
| 🇳🇵 Nepal | Visa-free — unlimited stay (Indo-Nepal Treaty) | No visa fee — entry is free under the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship | No advance application — walk through the immigration counter on arrival |
| 🇧🇹 Bhutan | No visa — Entry Permit + SDF ₹1,200/night | Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for Indians: ₹1,200 per adult per night, ₹600/night for children aged 6–12, free for children 5 and under (locked through August 2027). No separate visa fee. | Apply online at immi.gov.bt 5+ working days before travel to skip the airport queue, or get the Entry Permit on arrival at Paro or Phuentsholing. |
| 🇲🇻 Maldives | Free Visa on Arrival — 30 days | No visa fee. Green Tax: USD 12 per night at resorts/hotels/safari vessels, USD 6/night at guesthouses (children under 2 exempt). Hotels also bill TGST at 17%. | Granted on arrival at Velana International Airport (MLE) for all nationalities |
Fees and processing times are indicative and change with exchange rates and season — always confirm on each country's official source before applying.
Good to know
Indo-Bangladesh visa services have been operating at reduced capacity since the 2024 political transition; expect slower processing and possible restrictions on tourist visas. Land port endorsements are limited — confirm which land ports your sticker visa permits before travel. Visa rules change often — confirm on the official government source: https://www.bdvisa.com/
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Bangladesh?
Sticker visa — apply at Bangladesh High Commission (free). Indo-Bangladesh visa services have been operating at reduced capacity since the 2024 political transition; expect slower processing and possible restrictions on tourist visas. Land port endorsements are limited — confirm which land ports your sticker visa permits before travel.
What documents do Indians need for a Bangladesh visa?
Passport valid 6+ months with at least 2 blank pages; Completed MRV application form (printed from visa.gov.bd); Recent passport-size photo (white background); Confirmed return / onward ticket; Hotel booking or letter of invitation; Bank statement / proof of funds (last 6 months); Old / previous passports (if any)
How long does a Bangladesh visa take and what does it cost?
Processing: Typically 5–14 working days; longer at peak times or during diplomatic slowdowns. Submission is in person at a Bangladesh Visa Application Centre (BDVAC).. Government fee: Government visa fee is waived for Indian nationals. BDVAC service charge of around ₹825 (₹699.50 + taxes) is payable separately.. Maximum stay: Up to 30 days per entry; tourist visa validity typically 90 days–1 year, single or multiple entry.
How do Indians apply for a Bangladesh visa?
Fill the MRV form online at visa.gov.bd, then submit the printed application with documents in person at a Bangladesh Visa Application Centre (BDVAC) — Kolkata, Siliguri, Guwahati, Bongaigaon and Silchar — or at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi / Deputy High Commissions in Mumbai, Chennai, Agartala. No eVisa or VOA for Indian tourists. Official source: https://www.bdvisa.com/
Is a Bangladesh visa hard to get for Indian citizens?
With an ease score of 35/100 this is one of the tougher applications for Indians — expect strict document scrutiny and plan well ahead of travel. No interview is normally required.
Can Indians get a Bangladesh visa online or on arrival?
Bangladesh requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
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