Bangladeshi job seekers and students aspiring to move to European countries are facing significant challenges due to stringent visa restrictions imposed by India.
This issue particularly affects those dealing with countries that do not have diplomatic missions in Bangladesh.
In response, Bangladesh's interim government has proposed either relocating the Indian visa centre from Delhi to Dhaka or allowing visa applications from a third country.
However, these efforts have met with a lack of enthusiasm from the relevant European nations.
Recently, ambassadors from various European Union (EU) countries in Dhaka convened with Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus.
During the meeting, Dr Yunus urged the ambassadors to consider moving the visa centre from Delhi to Dhaka or a neighbouring country.
He highlighted the difficulties Bangladeshi students face due to limited access to Indian visas, which in turn hampers their education and the universities in Europe from receiving these students.
He asserted that relocating the visa offices would benefit both Bangladesh and the EU.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain cited Bulgaria’s example, which has already transferred its visa centres for Bangladeshis to Indonesia and Vietnam. He encouraged other EU countries to adopt a similar approach.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs has intensified diplomatic efforts following the interim government's initiative.
Despite these efforts, the anticipated response from European countries has been lacking.
However, Bangladeshi students can now apply for Romanian visas at the country's embassies in Thailand and Vietnam, while Bulgarian visa applications can be submitted in Vietnam, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan has also confirmed that visas will be processed from Bangkok.
Nonetheless, the foreign ministry continues discussions with other countries, but responses remain minimal.
Sources from the foreign ministry disclosed that discussions have been held with EU ambassadors in Dhaka, albeit without substantial progress.
Bangladeshi High Commissioner and officials in Delhi have also engaged with embassies of EU countries there, but significant responses have yet to be received.
Additionally, efforts through the Bangladeshi mission in Vienna to liaise with EU countries for an alternative visa processing method have not yielded promising results.
Opening new or alternative visa offices in Bangladesh poses financial and logistical challenges, making countries reluctant unless they have significant stakes in Bangladesh.
Despite these hurdles, the foreign ministry remains committed to its efforts. Currently, Bangladeshi citizens can obtain visas for most Western European countries directly from Dhaka, but visas for Eastern European countries are generally processed in Delhi.
Since the governmental change on 5 August, Indian tourist visas remain suspended, with limited visas issued for emergency medical cases and students seeking third-country visas.
Yet, many students are unable to reach their European destinations due to the lack of Indian visas.
