Bangladesh thanks Australia for resuming visa services in Dhaka

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has thanked Australia for resuming its visa services in Dhaka, during a meeting with newly appointed Australian High Commissioner Susan Ryle.

The meeting took place at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday, where they discussed visa procedures, ongoing political reforms, the national elections, bilateral trade, and the Rohingya crisis, according to a statement from the Chief Advisor’s Office.

Ryle confirmed that applications for Australian visas can now be submitted online from Dhaka.

She noted that over 65,000 Bangladeshis currently reside in Australia, including nearly 14,000 students.Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has thanked Australia for resuming its visa services in Dhaka, during a meeting with newly appointed Australian High Commissioner Susan Ryle.

The meeting took place at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday, where they discussed visa procedures, ongoing political reforms, the national elections, bilateral trade, and the Rohingya crisis, according to a statement from the Chief Advisor’s Office.

Ryle confirmed that applications for Australian visas can now be submitted online from Dhaka. She noted that over 65,000 Bangladeshis currently reside in Australia, including nearly 14,000 students.

Yunus welcomed the move and highlighted recent political reforms under the interim government, stating: "We are going through a series of important changes following chaotic times. Our focus remains on constitutional, judicial, and administrative reforms - these are the foundations for building a stronger Bangladesh.”

He also said his government is working closely with all political parties to ensure a peaceful transition, and announced plans to unveil the July Charter on the first anniversary of the July Uprising.

On the general election, Yunus said: “For the first time in years, people, especially first-time voters, will have a real opportunity to cast their ballots freely. I believe it will be a festive and hopeful occasion.”

Ryle expressed Australia’s continued support for Bangladesh’s electoral process, announcing 2 million Australian dollars in assistance to the Election Commission through the UN Development Programme to boost institutional and technical capacity.

On trade, she said bilateral commerce between the two countries has grown at an average annual rate of 16.2 percent over the past five years, reaching 5 billion Australian dollars.

She also acknowledged the contributions of the Bangladeshi diaspora, saying that more than 3,000 Bangladeshi alumni of the Australia Awards programme are playing important roles in national development.

In response, Yunus called for an expansion in scholarship opportunities for Bangladeshi students.

Turning to the Rohingya issue, Yunus urged Australia to increase its humanitarian support for the nearly one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

Ryle noted that Australia recently committed an additional 9.6 million Australian dollars in humanitarian aid through its key partners, bringing total assistance since 2017 to 553.6 million Australian dollars.

“Australia will continue to support Bangladesh in ensuring the hope of the Rohingya people for safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable repatriation, once conditions in Myanmar permit,” she said.

At the end of the meeting, Ryle expressed enthusiasm about her new posting, saying, “I'm truly excited to be here. I have long admired Bangladesh's vibrant culture and dynamic political landscape.”