25 percent visa seekers use forged documents

"I have seen a lot of evidence of corruption in certain banks, both public and private, reaching as high as the bank managers themselves. This is unacceptable and undermines the credibility of Bangladeshi banking system," new Director (visa services) Bharat Joshi told reporters at a media lunch in the city.

About 25 percent of the visa applicants use forged documents, he said.

Joshi said in the last six weeks, he has seen forged passports, ID cards, educational certificates, land deeds, marriage/divorce certificates, sponsorship declaration and trade licences.

He said he has also seen the work of "murky and dubious agents" who lurk in dark places offering bad advice for exorbitant amounts of money. "I find it frustrating that I am spending so much of my first few months trying to deal with the worst side of the visa business," he added.

The director also said the extent of corruption by banks with regard to the issuance of forged documents is higher than in India and Pakistan.

Joshi said they are working closely with the law enforcers to prevent the attempts to deceive the visa staff. The measures include arrest of applicants in the cases where there is clear evidence that a crime has been committed, he said.He also said the British visa officials are also working with the departments concerned in the UK to target those who have entered the UK illegally.

They are also working with "like-minded colleagues" and the local authorities to deal with banks "where we have evidence that they are complicit in providing forged documentation to the applicants," he added.

In reply to a question, Joshi said 82 percent of last year's Sector-based Scheme applicants did not return to Bangladesh as they were required to do.

He also said the rate of refusal of visa applications is less than 30 percent. About 28,000 applicants, out of over 34,000, were granted non-immigrant visas last fiscal year.

Joshi asked the visa seekers not to produce any forged documents in support of their applications. "It will severely damage your credibility in the years to come."

In this context, he said, "We (UK visa officials) share information with all diplomatic missions in Dhaka and this would damage your credibility with them too."

He also advised the visa applicants not to trust those who tell visa seekers that forged documents are necessary.

However, he said, the officials encourage genuine travellers from Bangladesh, including students and businessmen, to visit the UK with genuine documents.

Senior officials of the British High Commission were also present.