Each academic year, thousands of talented Bangladeshi students secure opportunities to study in European Union (EU) countries, either through scholarships or self-financed programs. However, this year, many students are facing difficulties attending visa interviews in specific EU embassies due to the absence of Indian visas, as they are required to travel to New Delhi for these interviews. Interim Government Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has called for relocating EU visa centers from New Delhi to Dhaka to alleviate these issues.
In a verified Facebook post on Monday, titled “Chief Adviser GOB,” Dr. Yunus addressed EU diplomats regarding the matter. He stated, “If EU countries with visa offices in New Delhi relocate their centers to Dhaka or any neighboring country, the suffering of our students will be significantly reduced.”
The post further mentioned, “I have informed EU diplomats about the misinformation and propaganda against Bangladesh. I have requested European countries with visa offices in New Delhi to move them to Dhaka or nearby locations. Many Bangladeshi students face difficulties obtaining visas for admission to European universities. If these centers are moved to Dhaka, the struggles of our youth can be minimized.”
The situation has become more critical since India suspended all visa services for Bangladeshi citizens, except for medical visas, on August 5 due to the country’s political circumstances. This suspension has left many students in limbo, as EU embassies for countries like Portugal, Bulgaria, Romania, Lithuania, Hungary, and Austria are not based in Bangladesh. Consequently, students seeking to study in these countries are required to travel to India for visa interviews.
However, with Indian visa services unavailable, Bangladeshi students seeking Bulgarian visas, for instance, have had to submit applications at Bulgarian embassies in Hanoi (Vietnam), Islamabad (Pakistan), or Astana (Kazakhstan) since October, creating additional logistical and financial burdens.
The interim government’s call to relocate EU visa centers highlights the urgency of addressing this issue to ensure that aspiring Bangladeshi students can continue their academic pursuits without unnecessary obstacles.
