Staff Correspondent:

Bangladeshis seeking visas for education, medical treatment, business, or travel are experiencing severe difficulties. Recently, the rate of visa rejections by various countries has increased alarmingly. India has completely suspended issuing tourist visas, while approval rates for other visa categories have also dropped.

Regan Morshed (pseudonym), a student who received a full scholarship to the Asian College of Journalism in Chennai, India, applied for a visa on June 11 but has yet to receive approval. As a result, he missed the start of his classes on June 28 and now fears losing his scholarship.

The issue extends beyond India. For many Bangladeshis, obtaining visas to Thailand, China, Tajikistan, Malaysia, and even European and American countries has become increasingly difficult. Regular traveler and YouTuber Nadir Nibras reported that despite holding valid visas for the US, UK, and Australia, his recent e-visa applications to three countries were rejected.

Visa and travel agencies note that it was previously easier to obtain visas from Southeast Asian countries. Now, even embassies in those regions are increasingly rejecting Bangladeshi applications. Kazi Wahiduddin Alam, editor of The Monitor, remarked, “The growing trend of illegal immigration and political instability in Bangladesh are among the main reasons.”

Meanwhile, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka has stated that only emergency and medical visas are being issued on a limited basis. High Commissioner Pranay Verma said, “We are prioritizing medical visas, and other categories will gradually resume.”

The situation is similar with the United States and other Western countries. Many students have had to return disappointed after gaining admission to universities but being denied visas. Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nazrul Islam, stated, “There are no specific statistics on visa rejections, but every country has intensified its screening processes.”

According to VFS Global and related agencies, political instability and the submission of fake documents have also contributed to the rise in visa denials.