(Chittagong, Bangladesh) India has suspended visa application services in Bangladesh’s port city of Chittagong indefinitely after a security incident at its diplomatic mission in the city. The move immediately disrupts travel plans for students, patients, families, and business travelers who rely on the local Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC).
What the IVAC announced
The IVAC in Chittagong said it stopped “all Indian visa-related services” effective December 21, 2025, and that the shutdown would stay in place “until further notice.”
In the same statement, the center tied the decision directly to unrest at the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong:
“This decision has been taken in view of the recent security incident at the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong. Information regarding the reopening of visa application centers will be provided after reviewing the situation.”
Timeline of key events
- December 19, 2025 — A pre-dawn assault on the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram. Militants hurled stones and clashed violently with security personnel. The attack targeted the residence of the Indian Assistant High Commissioner and followed unrest after the death of student leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a key figure in last year’s pro-democracy uprising.
- December 20, 2025 — Protesters gathered outside the Indian High Commission in Chittagong. Social media videos showed demonstrators throwing stones at the Assistant High Commissioner’s residence before police dispersed the crowd with batons.
- December 21, 2025 — The Chittagong IVAC suspended all visa services indefinitely.
- Related: December 17–18, 2025 — The IVAC at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka was temporarily suspended on December 17 and reopened on December 18 after a platform called July OICYA announced a siege of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
Arrests and security response
- The reporting notes at least 12 people were arrested in connection with the Chittagong incidents, underlining the seriousness of the confrontations and the pressure on local authorities to restore calm around foreign missions.
Who is affected and how
The closure has practical and immediate consequences for many groups:
- Students waiting to start courses in India may miss start dates.
- Patients with scheduled medical appointments in India risk delaying critical treatment.
- Families planning visits or reunions face cancellations and added costs.
- Business travelers may miss meetings or professional deadlines.
Practical impacts include:
– Missed flights and cancelled appointments.
– Extra costs from rescheduling travel, extending hotel bookings, or rearranging work leave.
– Difficulty shifting appointments to other centers (e.g., Dhaka) due to limited slots, travel time, and additional expense.
Wider pattern and operational context
The Chittagong shutdown fits a pattern of intermittent service suspensions across visa centers when security threats arise. The quick Dhaka reopening showed services can restart rapidly if conditions change, but the “until further notice” language for Chittagong indicates officials view the situation there as more volatile or unpredictable.
Consular security reviews typically examine:
– Police protection levels
– Access control and perimeter security
– Staff safety and housing
– Crowd-control measures
The IVAC said reopening information will follow only “after reviewing the situation,” leaving applicants dependent on future updates.
Diplomatic and political context
The attacks have added diplomatic strain during an already tense political period in Bangladesh. The unrest includes:
– Clashes with police across multiple cities
– Torching of major newspaper offices
– Protests demanding the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is in exile in India
– Anti-India rhetoric at diplomatic sites, increasing the risk that consular operations become targets during domestic turmoil
Practical advice and official sources
For official guidance and updates, applicants should consult India’s government-run visa portal:
– Indian Visa Online
Regularly check the official visa portal for status changes; avoid last-minute planning; keep backup travel plans and consider delaying non-urgent trips until services stabilize.
Notes and cautions:
– Do not rely on screenshots or forwarded messages circulating on social media; they may be inaccurate during crises.
– Check the official portal regularly for changes to operating status and requirements.
Analysis of likely consequences
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, sudden closures linked to security incidents create a two-track problem:
1. Immediate worries for applicants about travel disruptions.
2. Longer-term concerns for employers, schools, and service providers about processing backlogs once services resume.
Backlogs can build quickly because many applicants time submissions around holidays, exam schedules, and family events.
What the reporting does and does not include
- The source material does not name any individual visa applicant affected by the Chittagong shutdown.
- It does not identify a specific security or immigration-law expert offering public advice.
- It does show, through the IVAC’s statement and the arrest count, that the suspension is directly tied to safety concerns at India’s mission in Chittagong and an unstable street environment drawing diplomatic facilities into Bangladesh’s political turmoil.
Until authorities say the risk has eased, visa services in Chittagong will remain closed, and many applicants will have to wait for the next announcement.
India suspended visa services in Chittagong indefinitely on December 21, 2025, following a pre-dawn assault on its diplomatic mission. The closure impacts thousands of travelers, including students and medical patients. With at least 12 arrests made, the situation highlights rising political tensions. Travelers are urged to consult official Indian visa portals for updates, as the reopening depends on a comprehensive security review.
