Dacca, 3 August, 1972 The Government of the People's Republic of BANGLADESH,
AND
The Government of the Republic of INDIA
HAVE AGREED to introduce a Passport/Visa System to regulate travel between the two countries. This system will come into effect
from 1 September 1972.
A. PASSPORT
A passport called “Bangladesh Special Passport” and a passport called “India-Bangladesh Passport” will be issued by the Government
of Bangladesh and the Government of India respectively which will be valid for travel only between the two countries.
An International Passport issued by the two Governments to their respective nationals with appropriate endorsement will also be valid
for travel between Bangladesh and India.
B. VISAS
Nationals of Bangladesh and India travelling to the other country will be required to have a valid visa.
Visas will be granted by the competent authorities designated by the respective Governments. Visas will be given gratis.
(I) Categories of Visas : There will be the following categories of visas :
(a) Diplomatic and official visas - These will be granted in accordance with international convention and practice.
(b) Short term single journey visa - This type of visa is to be availed of within one month of its issue and shall be valid for stay
upto 3 months from the date of entry. Such visa may be extended in appropriate cases for a further maximum period of 3 months without
any requirement of registration and residential permit.
(c) Long term multiple journey visa - This type of visa may be granted to nationals of the two countries in appropriate cases. Such
visa will have to be availed of within one month of its issue and shall be valid for a stay upto a maximum period of one year from
the date of first entry. This visa will be valid for more than one journey: the number of journeys may be specified on the visa
by the issuing authority.
(d) Transit visa - Nationals of one country transiting through the other country by land, river or air routes will be required to
have a transit visa to be availed of within one month of its issue, valid for a stay upto a maximum of 15 days from the date of entry.
There will be no visa required for direct transit through Airport/Seaport.
(e) Re-entry visa - Nationals of one country on a visit to the other country on a valid visa may be granted a re-entry visa as appropriate.
(II) All categories of visas will be valid for travel to and stay in any part of the country concerned except for those areas designated
by the respective Government as Protected, Restricted or Prohibited Areas.
(III) Issuing Authorities : Diplomatic Missions and Consular Posts of the two countries and other agencies designated by the two Governments
will be authorised to issue visas. A list of visa issuing authorities designated by one Government will be communicated to the other
Government through normal diplomatic channels.
C. REGISTRATION
Nationals of one country visiting the other country on a valid visa who wish to stay for a continuous period exceeding six months
will be required to register with the appropriate authorities and obtain residential permit.
D. SEAMEN
Seamen of both the countries holding a valid Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) bearing a photograph and other prescribed particulars
will be accorded the following facilities :
(a) A seamen of one country visiting a port in the other country as a member of the crew of the ship which brings him need not hold
a passport or a visa. He will be issued a landing permit on deposit of his C.D.C. if he wishes to land.
(b) A seaman who arrives at a port in the other country as a member of the crew of the ship which brings him and who is discharged
at the airport, will not require passport/visa. He will be issued a landing permit for a specified period and will also be allowed
to travel to the country of which he is a national.
(c) A Bangladesh seaman, who has signed on Bangladesh Articles and desires to join his ship at an Indian port, will require an Indian
visa on his CDC.
Similarly, an Indian seaman, who has signed on Indian Articles and desires to join his ship at a Bangladesh port, will require a
Bangladesh visa on his CDC.
(d) In all other cases, a seaman will be subject to the normal requirement governing travel between the two countries.
E. INLAND WATER TRANSPORT PERSONNEL
Ranking Personnel and ratings of an inland vessel belonging to one country visiting or transiting through the other country will
call at designated check points on the route. Such personnel will not require a transit visa.
F. ENTRY INTO BANGLADESH AND INDIA
Bangladesh and Indian nationals holding valid travel documents will be required to leave one country and enter the other only through
designated check-posts. Both sides agree that corresponding check-posts of the two countries should be located as near as possible
to each other.
G. BORDER TRADE
Holders of Border Trade Permits issued by the two Governments to their respective nationals under the provisions of the Trade Agreement
of March 1972 between the two countries will be exempt from passport and visa requirements for the purpose of border trade as stipulated
in their permits.
H. BANGLADESH NATIONALS IN INDIA ON 1 SEPTEMBER 1972 AND INDIAN
NATIONALS IN BANGLADESH ON 1 SEPTEMBER 1972
Nationals of Bangladesh and India who are already in India and Bangladesh respectively when the above arrangements come into force
can continue to stay in the country concerned on the basis of their existing travel documents upto 30 September 1972.
If they wish to prolong their stay in the other country beyond 30 September 1972, they will have to obtain passports and visas as
stipulated in the procedures described above by 30 September 1972.
I. REVIEW
Both sides agree that the Arrangements set out above will be reviewed after a period of one year or as and when desired by either
Party, at one month's notice.
On behalf of the Government
On behalf of the Government
of the Republic of India
of the People's Republic of
Bangladesh
Sd/-
Sd/-
AVTAR SINGH
TASLIM AHMAD
Secretary (West)
Secretary
Ministry of External Affairs
Ministry of Home Affairs
Government of the Republic of
Republic of Bangladesh
India
