Dhaka, Nov 15 (V7N)- The "European Visa Seekers Unity Council" has called for the establishment of European embassies or consulates in Bangladesh to address the challenges faced by visa applicants.

At a human chain demonstration held in front of the National Press Club on Friday, the organization highlighted the growing number of Bangladeshi citizens seeking visas for education and employment opportunities in Europe. Currently, the absence of embassies for many European nations forces applicants to travel to other countries, such as India, for visa processing, incurring additional expenses and delays.

Mehedi Hasan Ashiq, the council’s Member Secretary, stated, “The lack of European embassies or consulates in Bangladesh compels people to travel abroad for visas, leading to wasted time and money. We demand that European countries establish embassies or consulates here.”

Council President Nafisa Islam Khan pointed out that Bangladeshi applicants often face appointment issues at European embassies in Delhi. Additionally, Indian travel visa denials frequently delay access to essential consular services despite having proper documentation.

To resolve these challenges, the council proposed four key measures:

  1. Time and Cost Savings: Establishing embassies in Bangladesh would eliminate the need to travel to Delhi, saving applicants time and money while reducing overall costs associated with European travel.

  2. Faster Processes: Local consular services would streamline the application process, enabling faster and more efficient visa issuance.

  3. Improved Service Quality: Direct embassies in Bangladesh would ensure accurate and reliable information, offering applicants a more comfortable and confident consultation experience.

  4. Local Opportunities and Stronger Ties: Opening embassies would create employment opportunities for Bangladeshi citizens and strengthen diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and European nations.

The council urged European countries to address the issue promptly to ease the burdens on visa seekers and foster stronger bilateral ties.

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