US visa restrictions on Bangladeshi individuals begin

In May this year, the United States announced a new visa policy aimed at free, fair and peaceful national elections in Bangladesh. The new visa policy will be effective from today (September 22).

A statement of the US Department of State today said it is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on Bangladeshi individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.

“These individuals include members of law enforcement, the ruling party, and the political opposition,” said State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller in the statement.

He said the US is committed to supporting free and fair elections in Bangladesh that are carried out in a peaceful manner.

“These persons and members of their immediate family may be found ineligible for entry into the United States,” he added.

Additional persons found to have been responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh may also be found ineligible for US visas under this policy in the future, Miller said.

“This includes current and former Bangladeshi officials, members of opposition and ruling political parties, and members of law enforcement, the judiciary, and security services.”

“Our actions today reflect the continued commitment of the United States to supporting Bangladesh's goal of peacefully holding free and fair national elections, and to support those seeking to advance democracy globally,” according to the statement.