Bangladesh has voiced its concerns over the planned UK visa bond policy that has drawn huge criticism from the targeted countries.
"Our High Commission in London has already flagged our concerns with the British Foreign Office, that we are against the policy which is yet to be implemented," said an official of the foreign ministry.The British government intends to run a pilot scheme to introduce financial bonds tightly targeted at a small number of visa applicants assessed to pose a high risk of overstaying, according to a new article by the British High Commission in Dhaka.
The UK authorities have declared plans to introduce a financial scheme demanding 3,000 British Pounds Sterling from visitors who have a high risk of overstaying, including Bangladeshis.
"The problem regarding visa policy of any country is not an issue of consultation," the official said, adding, "When Bangladesh will impose a visa policy, it will also not discuss the issue with other countries."
He, however, said the government could raise the issue as many Bangladeshis live in the UK and the countries have a good relationship.
Another official from the foreign ministry said British High Commission officials have explained the financial bond issue to the ministry.
"They told us that it will be very selective and it will only be applicable to travelers who have a high risk of not returning to Bangladesh," he said.
Meanwhile, Indian daily The Hindu reported that Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma on July 31 termed the £3,000 bond policy a "retrograde step."
Associated Press (AP), in a report published on July 29, said Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Olugbenga Ashiru discussed the issue with the British ambassador in Nigeria last month and expressed "strong displeasure" over the "discriminatory" policy.
AP also reported that the six countries targeted are Ghana, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nigeria.
About half a million Bangladeshis, mostly from Sylhet, live in England while the UK imports over a billion dollars worth of products from Bangladesh.