India to Bangladesh visa requirements

Indian ordinary passport holders need a visa before traveling to Bangladesh. There is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival channel for ordinary passports (visa-on-arrival applies only to diplomatic and official passport holders). The visa fee itself is waived for Indian nationals under the India-Bangladesh bilateral agreement, but a service charge of about INR 825 applies. A India ORDINARY passport holder must obtain a Bangladesh visa in advance for tourism or a short visit. Bangladesh does not offer visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival to ordinary Indian passport holders; visa-on-arrival is reserved for diplomatic and official passport holders (by air, road, or sea, but not by train). Applications are filed online through the official Bangladesh MRV portal (visa.gov.bd), then submitted in person at one of the Indian Visa Application Centres (IVAC) run on behalf of the High Commission of Bangladesh in New Delhi and its other missions/consulates in India. A standout feature for Indians is that the government visa fee is waived under the bilateral travel arrangement between the two countries, so applicants only pay the IVAC service charge (around INR 699.5 plus tax, roughly INR 825 total). The tourist (T) visa typically permits a stay of up to 30 days per entry, with single- or multiple-entry options and validity commonly up to 90-180 days. Processing usually takes about 3 to 7 working days but can extend to two weeks during peak periods, so travelers should apply well ahead. Required documents include a passport valid at least 6 months with blank pages, the printed online form, recent white-background photographs, proof of Indian address, confirmed return/onward tickets, and hotel booking or an invitation. Bangladesh is not in the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. Verdict: visa-required.