Schengen visa applications in Bangladesh increase 160pc

Dhaka: The number of Schengen visa applications from citizens of Bangladesh increased by 160 per cent in September 2022 compared to the figures of the same period in 2021, the recent report provided by VFS Global showed.

The announcement has been made through a statement published by VFS Global’s South Asian COO (Chief Operating Officer) Prabuddha Sen.

There has been a significant increase in the number of Bangladeshi citizens wishing to travel to other countries.

According to the data provided by VFS Global, the volume of visa applications has surged compared to the first nine months of 2021, while stressing that visa applications rose by 160 per cent until September 2022.

The data also revealed that visa applications’ volume in 2022 was the same as in the pre-pandemic period.

The number of Bangladeshi citizens who attempted to reach European countries in an unlawful way through the Central Mediterranean route was also high.

According to report, a total of 25,164 irregular crossings were registered in the first six months of 2022 through the Central Mediterranean route, while the majority of them were citizens of Bangladesh.

In these post-pandemic times, a large number of countries worldwide lifted Covid-19 travel restrictions, and led to an increase in the number of visa applications after many embassies and consulates resumed their work.