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The State Bank of India, which manages Indian visa applications, has launched three new centres in Bangladesh to cope with the growing demand.
Published : 13 Sep 2015, 03:42 PM
It also introduced new services including a helpline and SMS alerts for visa applicants, the High Commission says.
High Commissioner Pankaj Saran inaugurated the new Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) at Rangpur, Barisal and Mymensingh on Sunday through video conference in Barisal.
The new visa application centres will be open from Monday, the High Commission says.
With the new three centres, IVACs are now available at ten locations in Bangladesh. The seven IVACs already operating are in Dhaka’s Gulshan, Motijheel and Dhanmondi, and one each in Rajshahi, Chittagong, Sylhet and Khulna.
Bangladesh is the second highest source of foreign tourist arrivals in India in 2014. Besides, thousands go for medical treatment.
The Mymensingh centre will also serve applicants from Jamalpur, Kishoreganj, Netrokona, Sherpur and Tangail.
The Barisal IVAC will manage applicants from Barisal, Barguna, Bhola, Jhalakati, Patuakhali and Pirojpur.
Meanwhile, visa-seekers from the northern districts of Rangpur, Dinajpur, Kurigram, Gaibanda, Nilphamari, Panchagarh, Thakurgaon and Lalmonirhat can file applications at the new centre opened in Rangpur.
New services
The State Bank of India also launched new services, including a helpline and SMS alerts for visa applicants.
It also simplified the procedure of paying visa processing fees.
Applicants can now call directly call at 09612333666 and 09614333666 for any queries from Saturday to Thursday between 8am to 8pm.
Visa applicants will receive automatic SMS messages advising them about delivery dates of their passports.
Visa processing fees can now be paid directly at any registered UCash outlet in Bangladesh or through mobile payment to UCash prior to submission of visa applications.
This will simplify payment procedures, the Indian High Commission says in a statement.
The State Bank earlier in February lifted appointment dates for all visa applicants except tourists.
