13 Western countries issue joint warning against visa fraud

Thirteen Western nations, including European countries, Australia, and Canada, have issued a joint advisory urging Bangladeshi citizens to follow official procedures when applying for visas and other consular services, warning against the use of fraudulent documents and unlicensed agents.

The joint statement was signed by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The diplomatic missions in Dhaka shared the guidance on their official Facebook pages on Wednesday.

The advisory explicitly warns applicants against using falsified documents, unreliable or unlicensed agents, or making payments to unauthorised individuals or entities. The statement emphasizes that no embassy or mission is affiliated with any external agent, and applicants should not trust intermediaries claiming special access to or influence over the visa process.

"Such actions can lead to delays, financial loss, refusal at borders, and/or serious legal consequences," the joint statement cautioned.
The countries urged applicants to complete all visa-related procedures using verified information and official government channels of the respective countries. The joint advisory aims to curb the growing trend of visa-related fraud and misinformation, ensuring a safer, more equitable application process for all Bangladeshi travelers.

The coordinated message comes as part of ongoing efforts by Western nations to protect applicants from exploitation by fraudulent intermediaries and to maintain the integrity of their visa processing systems.