Security clearance for foreigners

MANY foreigners who are staying in this country for various reasons like job, business or study have of late been facing a hard time to obtain security clearance from the Special Branch of Police and it is tainting our image outside the country. Interested investors and entrepreneurs have been getting a wrong signal and are being discouraged to invest in Bangladesh. It takes months together to obtain security clearance from the concerned department of the Police administration. Living in an age of communication technology a security clearance should not take more than two weeks but in reality we see that it often takes three to four months which is unusually long. We must not forget that these foreigners are playing a significant role in harnessing our economic development and industrialisation. I think the whole visa issuing system should be digitalised and simplified so that the visa seekers can see their application status online and do not have to go to immigration office frequently. I hope the government will look into this matter and take immediate action in this regard.

Mohammed Farhan

Mohakhali, Dhaka