Bangladeshi citizens face mounting visa restrictions from countries across Asia more than one year after Muhammad Yunus assumed leadership of the interim government. India suspended tourist visas for Bangladeshi travelers in August 2024 and maintained the prohibition through 2025, affecting a population that comprised 2.1 million of India's 10 million foreign visitors from April 2023 to March 2024. Indonesia eliminated visa-on-arrival privileges, Thailand extended processing times from one week to 50 days, and Vietnam stopped issuing tourist permits entirely.
The United Arab Emirates reduced daily visa approvals to between 30 and 50 applicants, while Italy accumulated more than 60,000 pending applications from Bangladeshi nationals. Foreign officials attribute the restrictions to political instability and diplomatic failures rather than human trafficking concerns cited by Yunus's administration. The interim government promised reform and international credibility but failed to restore democratic institutions or address the deteriorating reputation of Bangladeshi passports. Thousands of citizens now encounter delays and denials that prevent them from traveling for work and educational opportunities.
The United Arab Emirates reduced daily visa approvals to between 30 and 50 applicants, while Italy accumulated more than 60,000 pending applications from Bangladeshi nationals. Foreign officials attribute the restrictions to political instability and diplomatic failures rather than human trafficking concerns cited by Yunus's administration. The interim government promised reform and international credibility but failed to restore democratic institutions or address the deteriorating reputation of Bangladeshi passports. Thousands of citizens now encounter delays and denials that prevent them from traveling for work and educational opportunities.
