Agartala, February 23: Visa services at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission resumed on Monday after remaining suspended for nearly two months, bringing much-needed relief to hundreds of applicants awaiting travel clearance. The resumption comes following the formation of a new elected government in Bangladesh after nearly one-and-a-half years.
The reopening of the visa section witnessed a heavy turnout, with long queues forming outside the High Commission premises early in the morning. Fresh applicants gathered in large numbers to submit their documents, leading to overcrowding during the designated submission hours between 9:00 AM and 12:00 noon. Due to the overwhelming rush, many individuals were unable to complete the application process within the stipulated timeframe.
Visa and consular services had been suspended indefinitely from December 23, 2025. A notice issued on December 22, 2025, by the then Head of Mission and First Secretary, S. M. Almas Hossain, cited unavoidable circumstances for the temporary closure. The sudden halt had caused significant inconvenience, particularly for people with family ties, medical requirements, and business engagements across the border.
Applicants expressed relief at the restoration of services, though many urged authorities to consider extending submission hours or introducing additional arrangements to manage the surge in demand.
Officials indicated that with visa processing now restored, cross-border travel is expected to gradually normalise in the coming weeks. The resumption is anticipated to ease hardships faced by families and traders and help revive regular movement between the two neighbouring countries.
The development is also expected to strengthen people-to-people connectivity and further enhance bilateral engagement at the grassroots level between India and Bangladesh.
