Non-machine readable passports to make no differences

After 9/11, the State Department has been scrutinising the details of the bio-data of each applicant for security reasons, resulting in unusual delay in issuing visas, she said.

However, the embassy is trying to get the visa system up and running, she added.

Elizabeth P Gourlay was speaking at a luncheon meeting organised by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Bangladesh at a city hotel.

She suggested Bangladeshi visa seekers should contact the embassy far ahead of their deadlines.

Though the embassy gives priority to some cases, general applicants have been asked to apply with 90 days in hand and students seeking visas will have to prove that they qualify for it.

The rate of visas issued to Bangladeshi students is on the rise, said Gourlay.

Last year, 49 percent of the student applicants were granted visas, up by 10 percentage points compared to the previous year, she added.

AmCham President Andrew L Fawthrop moderated the meeting while US Ambassador Patricia A Butenis, AmCham Bangladesh Vice-President Syed Ershad Ahmed and Executive Director A Gafur were also present.