As per the directive to send illegal foreign nationals back to their countries, 15,618 people left Bangladesh from December to January. A significant number of foreigners are still staying in different parts of the country. Currently, some 33,648 foreigners are living in the country illegally.
The Home Ministry has formed an 11-member task force to deal with this situation.
The Additional Secretary (Security and Immigration) Security Services Division of Home Ministry will serve as the convener of the task force, and the Joint Secretary of the Immigration-2 Branch will serve as the member secretary.
According to sources in the Department of Immigration & Passports (DIP), on December 8, 2023, the Home Ministry ordered legal action against foreigners staying in Bangladesh without valid visas. Applications were submitted until December 31, allowing for renewal or extension of visa validity.
During this period, 15,000 foreign nationals applied for visa renewal or left the country. While the number of Indians is the highest, the number of Chinese and South Korean nationals is also significant.
According to the Special Branch (SB) of the police, “The visas of 27000 Indian, more than 10000 Chinese have expired.”
However, the DIP warns of legal actions if the illegal immigrants in the country are not renewing their visas paying the fine.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
