Indian visas relaxed

India has started allowing Bangladesh nationals enter the country with port entry visas through the Benapole-Haridaspur checkpost in an effort to relax the visa regime for them.

Benapole checkpost Immigration Police Inspector Kamruzzaman told bdnews24.com that Bangladesh nationals have started crossing over to India to collect visas from Haridaspur since Apr 28.

Applications were sent to Indian authorities before to make visa processing easier for Bangladesh nationals, he said.

In response to those applications, the Indian High Commission in February 2013 had issued a circular announcing relaxed processing for multiple-entry visas, specially for those above 60 years of age , those seeking medical treatment or had double entry or were in government service, journalism, export-import business or were public representatives.

VIP and CIP visa processing were also relaxed by that circular.

In the first phase, only government service holders are being allowed the facility. Gradually others will also be included.

Government service passport holders were crossing over without visas from the Indian High Commission since Apr 28, immigration police said.

Officials say visa-seekers have to produce no objection certificate (NOC) and details of official holidays to Indian authorities at the border.

Government service holders will be allowed visa on basis of their allowed leave.

However, visa can be extended for medical reasons.