The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

British High Commissioner in Dhaka Anwar Choudhury yesterday urged the Working Holidaymaker (WHM) visa seekers to apply directly instead of going through the visa agents.

"The message is very simple. Do not use agents," he said in a press statement

The High Commissioner said the reported activities of some visa agents in deliberately misinforming applicants and charging high fees on the basis of false promises have apparently compounded pressure, at the expense of genuine applicants.

"No one can guarantee you a visa… Do not believe anyone who says they can. Don't become indebted - get the facts yourself from the British High Commission," Anwar Chowdhury said.

The High Commissioner also asked International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to temporarily stop new bookings for tuberculosis (TB) screening from those seeking Working Holidaymaker (WHM) visas to UK.

IOM's phone-booking lines will not receive calls, but existing bookings will be honoured, said a press release.

The press release also added that the WHM scheme is not suspended and the HC would continue processing WHM applications already booked.

"We know that the WHM scheme is very popular but limitless demand for applications creates pressures and risks the viability of the scheme," the High Commissioner said.

"So, we are looking to help applicants by taking advantage of a pause to find the best and most sustainable ways to match capacity to this demand," he said.

He added that a sustainable solution to keep the WHM scheme running is in the overall interests of potential applicants, not a quick fix.