400 Indian visa applications reviewed in August
Despite the indefinite suspension of visa services for citizens of Bangladesh, the Union Home Ministry examined over 400 visa applications in particular categories from the neighboring nation in August.
The Indian Visa Application Centers in Bangladesh have been processing a restricted number of visas for students and urgent medical needs for the last two months.
India receives the most foreign tourists from Bangladesh. According to an official, almost 16 lakh visas were issued to citizens of Bangladesh last year. According to a Ministry official, 434 previous referral check (PRC) cases involving citizens of Bangladesh were resolved in August.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
PRC refers to specific cases where a background check of the applicant is done by intelligence and security agencies before a visa is granted. The total number of visas granted during the period was not known.
India offers 15 categories of visa to Bangladesh, which includes "urgent service."
According to the Indian Ministry, "grant of visa to Bangladesh nationals is governed by the Revised Travel Arrangements signed between India and Bangladesh on 28 January 2013 and the administrative instructions issued from time to time."
Visa free regime for Bangladesh is agreed on reciprocal basis for holders of diplomatic and official passports for a period of up to 45 days stay.
While countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and Sudan have been placed under prior reference category (PRC) en bloc, there are certain kinds of visas for specific countries such as China and Bangladesh, which have to undergo an added layer of security check.
The business visa for Chinese nationals is not under prior referral category, but the vetting exists for employment and conference visas. India offers visa on arrival facility only for Japan, Republic of Korea and United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a period not exceeding 60 days for business, tourism, conference and medical purposes.
The Border Security Force (BSF) deployed along the Bangladesh border has been on a heightened alert since 5 August and has received strict instruction from the government to not allow anyone into the country without valid documents or visa.
