Dhaka/Chattogram, December 21, 2025 — India has suspended all visa application services in Bangladesh’s port city of Chattogram for an indefinite period, citing security concerns following a recent incident near the Indian Assistant High Commission.
The Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) announced that the suspension took effect from Sunday, December 21, and will continue until further instructions are issued. In a notice, IVAC said the decision was taken in response to a security-related incident that occurred at the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram.
“As a result of the prevailing security situation, all Indian visa-related activities in Chattogram will remain closed from December 21 until further notice,” the statement said, adding that the situation would be reviewed before any decision is made to resume services.
The move comes after tensions escalated in the city late last week, when a group of protesters gathered in front of the Indian High Commission following reports of the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha platform. Police dispersed the demonstrators using batons and tear gas and detained at least 12 people from the scene.
Earlier, Indian visa services had also been temporarily suspended at the IVAC located in Dhaka’s Jamuna Future Park from the afternoon of December 17, citing security reasons. Visa operations in Rajshahi and Khulna were halted on December 18 but were resumed the following day after a brief closure.
Indian authorities have not specified how long the Chattogram suspension will last, stating that a fresh announcement will be made after reassessing the security situation.
