Foreigners living illegally in Bangladesh asked to become legal
Many nationals from India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, African countries living illegally in Bangladesh
The government issued a circular today, asking all foreign nationals living in Bangladesh illegally to obtain legal permits to stay here.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the circular after Home Affairs Adviser Lt Col (retd) Jahangir Alam expressed concern about foreigners staying and working illegally in Bangladesh.
"We are receiving complaints that many foreigners are living and working in Bangladesh illegally. We are requesting them to immediately take steps to obtain legal permits to stay in the country. Otherwise, legal steps will be taken against them," reads the circular.
The circular was signed by Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Home Affairs Md Khoda Bakhsh Chowdhury and Senior Secretary of the home ministry's Security Services Division Mohammad Abdul Momen.
According to sources, many foreign nationals from India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, and different African countries are currently living illegally in Bangladesh. Without legal permits, these foreign nationals are working in various sectors, including readymade garment, IT, hotel and development projects, after arriving on tourist visas.