German visa
The Honourable Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany who has just left Bangladesh after his tenure used to make lot of comments on the politics, governance and human rights situation in Bangladesh. I wonder if he used to inquire about the practice of human rights in his own embassy in Dhaka. Every year a good number of students from Bangladesh go for higher studies to different universities of Germany. Some of them marry before they leave for Germany with the expectation that they would take their newly wed wives soon. Others come back to Bangladesh in the middle of their studies and get married and go back to Germany leaving behind the poor new-wed again with the hope that they would take their wives soon. It may be mentioned that the students are not allowed to take their wives along with them.
The poor girls apply for visa along with dozens of documents and Tk 3000/- and start waiting endlessly. At the time of application they are told that the visa would be issued in 8 to 10 weeks' time. After 7/8 weeks when the embassy is contacted, they are told that papers have been sent to Germany and no reply has come as yet. They are advised to wait longer. After a couple of weeks or so the applicants are asked to deposit about Tk 20,000/- for so called verification of documents by some local agents and are asked to wait for another 10 to 12 weeks. This way, the waiting time never ends.
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