Body formed to change old Visa Policy

The government has taken up a major reform to make the process of foreigners entering and leaving Bangladesh easier and more modern, launching work to revise the two-decade-old Visa Policy of 2006 into a framework suited to current times.

A high-level cabinet committee, headed by the finance minister, has been formed to refine and finalise the draft of the new policy prepared by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The ministry will provide secretarial support to the committee.

The committee was formed at the cabinet meeting on Thursday, the Cabinet Division said in a notification.

Officials said the global economy, technology and international diplomatic dynamics had changed substantially over the past two decades, making it necessary to replace the old, bureaucratically complex 2006 policy with a modern, service-oriented and secure migration framework.

The government aims to increase foreign investment, attract skilled global human resources, expand the tourism sector, and streamline international travel management based on the principle of reciprocity, cabinet officials said, explaining the rationale for the new visa policy.

Shift from control-centric to investor-friendly approach
Those involved with the process said the 2006 visa policy was largely centred on control and security. The new policy aims to cut red tape for foreign investors and businesspeople and ensure visas are issued in the shortest possible time.

The reform also seeks to ease entry for international travellers to boost tourism, and to modernise the country’s entry points — airports and land ports — through digital tracking and e-visa management systems.

The special committee led by the finance minister will thoroughly review and refine the draft before it is placed before the cabinet for final approval.