Europe-bound students, workers facing trouble as Indian visa centres closed

Over 1,500 Bangladeshi students and workers with university offer letters and work permits from several European countries are facing difficulties as India has indefinitely suspended its visa processing activities in the country following the ouster of the Hasina government through a mass uprising on 5 August.

The affected individuals say since many European countries do not have embassies in Bangladesh, they rely on the embassies in Delhi for visa and other services.

With India currently not issuing visas, they are unable to travel to these countries for study or work, and are also struggling to obtain refunds for visa fees and tuition payments.

Most of the students affected by these issues have university offer letters from European countries such as Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Austria. These countries do not have embassies in Dhaka.

Tanjim Hasan Tushar, a student who secured an opportunity to study at Valahia University of Târgoviște in Romania, shared his experience.

"We are part of an online messaging group of over 800 students bound for Romania, all of whom have applied for visas after receiving university offer letters. Among them, around 350 students have deposited Tk3 lakh to Tk5 lakh for one year's tuition fee in the university account," he told TBS. 

He added, "We need to attend a viva at the Romanian embassy in Delhi to apply for the visa. If we fail to attend the viva, we won't get the visa, and the tuition fees won't be refunded if the visa is not submitted by September."

Tushar further said around 1,500 students received offer letters from universities in various Eastern European countries between June and July. Many began their visa applications at the end of July, with viva dates scheduled for August.

"However, with India's suspension of double-entry visa applications, our prospects for higher education are now in limbo," he said.

Following the political changes in Bangladesh, a message posted on the Indian Visa Centre's website on 7 August announced that all Indian visa centres in Bangladesh would remain closed until further notice. Applicants will be informed of the next available date via SMS.

Md Farhad, who has secured a work permit as a farm worker in Portugal, is scheduled to attend a viva at the Portuguese embassy in Delhi on 29 August. However, this has become uncertain due to the recent situation.

"If I don't obtain a double-entry visa for India, I won't be able to get back the €3,600 visa fee from Portugal," he said.

He added, "When we contacted the Indian High Commission, we were advised to approach Bangladesh's foreign ministry. However, when we visited the ministry in Segun Bagicha, they expressed their inability to assist."

Farhad added, "For the past 10 days, I've been travelling from Cumilla to the foreign ministry in Dhaka, but I haven't found any hope. If these European countries had embassies in Dhaka, Bangladeshis wouldn't have to suffer like this."

An official from the South Asia Division of the foreign ministry said, "We have been receiving complaints from students and workers over the past two weeks. We've done our best, but the solution is complicated given the current situation."

A group of affected students and workers formed a human chain in front of the main gate of the foreign ministry yesterday afternoon, demanding a solution to the visa crisis.

They urged that Indian visa applications in Bangladesh be fully operational as soon as possible and requested that no Bangladeshi visa applications be rejected without valid reasons.

Main Uddin, who secured an opportunity to study at a university in the Czech Republic, said, despite having paid their tuition fees, the future of most of these students has become uncertain due to India's visa suspension.

"If we fail to attend the embassy interviews scheduled between September 15 and 20, their admissions could be cancelled," he said.

"There is also a fear of losing the tuition fees," he added. "Universities may withhold refunds until they receive an official explanation for the visa denial from the embassy. Even when refunds are issued, 30% to 40% of the amount is often deducted."

Meanwhile, Bangladeshi patients receiving treatment in Indian hospitals are facing severe health risks as they are unable to travel for further care due to the visa issues.

Naznen Akter had been in Kolkata, India, for treatment and stayed there for around three months. She is scheduled to return to Kolkata on 5 September for an operation.

"I am in a critical situation because my medical visa has expired. With the visa application process now closed, I'm worried about the operation. The doctors have warned that if the surgery is not performed on time, my health could be in serious danger," she told TBS.

Another patient, Tabzina Aziz, said, "I need to go to Chennai for a follow-up treatment for a stomach tumour in the first week of next month. The visa issues have put me in great danger. If I don't get a visa soon, my life could be at risk."