No info on religious-based visa rejections for students by Poland: MoFA

The government has said they do not have any information on whether any Bangladeshi students' visa applications were rejected by the Embassy of Poland in New Delhi on the basis of religious identity but it has been learned that some Bangladeshi students have had their visa applications rejected.

Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Mohammad Rafiqul Alam came up with the updates in a written answer during weekly media briefing today (25 December).

He said the Bangladesh Embassy in Poland is in talks with the Polish government to open an Embassy in Bangladesh.

Until then, efforts are being made to introduce a system so that students or workers interested in going to Poland can apply for visas in Bangladesh, said the Spokesperson.

Alam said it is important that the Polish government has made some policy changes in accepting applications from foreign students interested in higher education in Poland, which have come into effect from 1 August.

In this case, he said, a student will have to obtain an equivalent certificate before applying.

Due to the complicated process, the Spokesperson said most of the students fail to do this and many educational institutions are not looking on this issue generously.

Referring to what the Polish educationists think, Alam said, the number of foreign students this year will be lower than last year, but it will return to normal next year as this information will reach the educational institutions by then.