A group called the "European Visa Seekers Unity Council" has demanded the establishment of embassies or consulates of European countries in Bangladesh.
The group said the number of people in Bangladesh seeking to migrate for education and employment abroad is steadily increasing. Due to the absence of consulates and embassies of various European countries in Bangladesh, citizens have to go to other countries for visas.
This demand was made at a human chain in front of the National Press Club on Friday.
The organization's Member Secretary, Mehedi Hasan Ashiq, said: "Due to the absence of embassies or consulates of European countries in Bangladesh, people are forced to travel abroad for visas. This results in a significant waste of both money and time. Our sole demand is that European countries must establish embassies or consulates in Bangladesh."
The President of the organization, Nafisa Islam Khan, mentioned that Bangladeshis face appointment issues at European embassies or consulates located in Delhi. Even after obtaining proper documents, India sometimes denies travel visas, causing delays in visa applications and consular services.
The European Visa Seekers Unity Council has made four proposals to solve the crisis:
1) Saving time and cost: If all activities are available in Bangladesh, traveling to Delhi would not be necessary, saving both time and money, benefiting people, and reducing the cost of going to Europe.
2) Increased process speed: Local services would make the application process quicker and easier, enabling citizens to obtain visas and other services faster.
3) Enhanced quality of service: With direct embassy/consulate operations in Bangladesh, citizens would receive accurate and reliable information and seek consultation without hesitation.
4) Local employment and improved communication: This step would create local job opportunities and strengthen diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and European countries.
