Visa applications from Bangladesh in 2023 continued to remain strong.

According to VFS Global, the world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions, visa applications from Bangladesh in 2023 rose by 195% compared to 2022.

Even in comparison to the pre-pandemic period of 2019, visa application volumes last year rose by two-fold (233%).

“We continued to witness unprecedented demand from Bangladesh and the entire South Asia region as a whole in 2022, which led to an extended peak outbound travel season with steady volumes witnessed until December. We remain committed to providing exceptional customer service through technology-led, seamless, highly secure, and reliable solutions,” said Santanu Bhattacharya, Head, Bangladesh, VFS Global, on Monday.

Bhattarcharya added that applicants must be wary of fake websites and social media pages impersonating VFS Global and selling appointments in exchange for money.

“Appointments are free and available only on www.vfsglobal.com on a first-come, first-served basis. As a responsible service provider, we will continue to create awareness against the menace and urge applicants to plan their travel early.”

Another defining trend noticed in travellers’ behaviour was the wider adoption of personalised service, which began since the pandemic.

Bookings for premium optional services such as Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD), which enables travellers to book the entire visa experience at a location, recorded a 195% increase in 2023 in comparison to 2022.

Premium Lounge, another optional service that enables personalised assistance at the visa application centre, also registered 134% growth.

The company caters to 16 client governments in Bangladesh, with visa application centres in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet.