Bangladesh Home Adviser Urges EU States to Open Visa Centre
Key Highlights
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Bangladesh’s Home Adviser has urged the EU to establish a visa centre in the country.
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The centre would allow Bangladeshi citizens to apply for visas to EU countries that currently lack local processing services.
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A local centre would reduce travel time and expenses for applicants, who currently must travel abroad for visa services.
Bangladesh Urges EU to Establish Visa Centre to Ease Application Burden
Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, has called on the European Union to open a visa centre in Dhaka to streamline visa applications for Bangladeshi nationals. This request was made during a recent meeting with the EU Ambassador to Bangladesh at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The proposed centre would enable Bangladeshi applicants to file Schengen visa applications for countries that do not currently issue visas locally, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming travel to neighbouring countries like India.
EU Ambassador Pledges Ongoing Support for Bangladesh
During the meeting, the EU Ambassador reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s development. Areas of focus include institutional reform, technical assistance, and addressing issues such as misinformation, transparency, and public security.
The Ambassador also expressed a willingness to work closely with Bangladesh to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling. Each year, many Bangladeshis attempt to reach Europe—especially Italy—through irregular routes like the Mediterranean.
Costly and Lengthy Visa Application Process for Bangladeshis
Currently, many Bangladeshis are forced to travel long distances, including to New Delhi—over 1,700 kilometers from Dhaka—to submit visa applications. Google estimates show the journey takes around 31 hours by road.
These efforts come with significant financial burdens. In 2023 alone, Bangladeshis spent roughly €1.5 million on visa applications that were ultimately rejected. Of the 39,729 applications submitted, 43.3 per cent (17,015) were denied, according to SchengenVisaInfo.
By opening a dedicated visa centre in Bangladesh, the EU could help streamline the process and reduce the financial and logistical strain on applicants.