Foreign tourists facing problems getting on-arrival visas at HSIA

Foreign tourists visiting Bangladesh are facing various problems and embarrassment while getting on-arrival visas at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) has said. 

TOAB leaders said this today during a meeting with the new executive committee of Aviation and Tourism Journalist's Association of Bangladesh (ATJFB) at the TOAB office in the city. 

Tanzim Anwar, president of ATJFB, led the delegation of the association. 

"It takes three to four hours for a foreign tourist to complete his/her on-arrival visa process at the airport which often ended up bitter experiences for the inbound tourists," Shiblul Azam Koreshi, president, TOAB, said. 

He demanded that the government introduce e-visa for foreign tourists who are entitled to get visas on arrival. 

"Number of foreign tourists will increase and the country will benefit through the earning of foreign currencies if we can introduce e-visas for them," he also said. 

The TOAB leader said in case of introducing e-visa for foreign tourists, they will be able to complete the visa processing online from their respective countries. 

Md Yunus, director (media and publication) of TOAB, said the government should also give instruction to the immigration officials to provide smooth services to foreign tourists so that they are not harassed while getting visas on-arrival at the airport.