Bangladeshis with long-term visas can open Indian bank accounts

Bangladesh citizens coming to India on Long Term Visa (LTV) can now open bank accounts anywhere in the country.

The India government has decided to extend several other facilities to the people coming on LTV.

The other facilities a foreign citizen can enjoy include, permission for purchase of property for self occupation and suitable accommodation for carrying out self–employment, permission to go for self employment, issue of drivers' license, PAN card ( for income tax)  and Aadhar card (for unique identification)--all these to allow free movement in Indian states and Union territories .

“Persons from minority communities of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan,like Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians staying on Long Term Visa  (LTV) in India can avail all these facilities,” a government official said.

India’s decision of extending visa norms with additional facilities is likely to assuage Bangladesh which has been asking for the same.

New Delhi has decided to increase the duration of tourist visa from one year to five years having multiple entry facility for the people of Bangladesh above 65 years of age.

The decision has been taken in pursuance of Government’s stated policy for easing of Visa norms for promotion of tourism.

“Indian Missions in Bangladesh will henceforth extend this facility to the Bangladeshi applicants,” the official said.