Bangladesh to resume issuance of on-arrival visa to Maldivians

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced Bangladesh’s decision to resume the issuance of on-arrival visa to Maldivians.

Prime Minister Hasina made the announcement during a joint press conference held with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the President’s Office – after the two concluded official bilateral talks.

At the press conference, President Solih revealed that he had put in the request to resume the issuance of on-arrival visa to Maldivians by Bangladesh as well as to extend the validity period of the student via issued to local students studying at Bangladesh, during his meeting with Prime Minister Hasina.

Subsequently, Prime Minister Hasina said that Bangladeshi government has made the decision to resume the issuance of on-arrival visa to Maldivians.

“Because the outbreak has subsided – I happy note that the Bangladeshi government come to decision to resume the issuance of on-arrival visa to Maldivians,” she had said.

Bangladesh stopped issuing on-arrival visa to Maldivians in March of last year – in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, the country had stopped issuing on-arrival visa to nationals from all countries they were providing the service for.

Prime Minister Hasina arrived in the Maldives yesterday. She was received at Velana International Airport by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel.

She arrived to the Maldivian capital, Male’ City, earlier this morning – after having stayed overnight at a resort following her arrival to the Maldives yesterday.

Following the welcoming courtesies, Prime Minister was escorted to the President's Office where restricted talks between President Solih and Prime Minister Hasina took place. This was followed by official bilateral talks between the two countries.

President Solih and Prime Minister Hasina were accompanied by a high-level delegation from their respective governments during this meeting.

After concluding the talks, four agreements between two countries were signed. They are: Memorandum of Understanding on Recruitment of Qualified Health Professionals, Renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding in the areas of Healthcare and Medical Sciences, Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Areas of Youth and Sports Development and the agreement between Maldives and Bangladesh for the Elimination of Double Taxation with Respect to the Taxes on Income and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and Avoidance.

The existing Memorandum of Understanding on Recruitment of Qualified Health Professionals between Bangladesh and the Maldives was renewed.

Apart from the agreement exchange, the symbolic handover of keys to the 13 military vehicles donated by Bangladesh to the Maldives took place as well.

The Prime Minister will conclude her visit and depart to Bangladesh on next Monday.