Dhaka: All children below the age of 18 years accompanying their parents to India will require no prior appointment dates or e-token for tourist visa from next year.

Similarly, immediate family members (spouse and children) of diplomatic and official Bangladesh passport holders will enjoy the same facility effective from January 1, 2017.

This is a goodwill gesture extended for the benefit of children and families traveling to India apart from spouse and children of diplomatic and official Bangladesh passport holders.

It is expected to facilitate securing Indian visas and further strengthening people-to-people contacts and relations between the two countries, said the Indian high commission in Dhaka on Thursday.

Parents can submit tourist visa application forms of their children along with their forms at Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs). They will also be allowed to submit forms on behalf of children if either parent already has a valid Indian visa, a copy of which should be attached with the application forms.

Immediate family members - spouse and children - of diplomatic and official Bangladesh passport holders can submit their tourist visa applications at IVAC Uttara, Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC), Sector-7, Road 18, House 56, Uttara, Dhaka 1230 without an appointment date or e-token from 9am to 12pm.

The original diplomatic or official passport has to be shown at the time of submission and a copy of the passport should be attached with the visa application form.