'ISA visa service more useful after 9/11'
Speakers at a seminar here said there has been a major change in immigration worldwide after the 9/11. Immigration laws are diverse and confusing and vulnerable people need help in this regard.
Keith Best, Chief Executive of UK based charity Immigration Advisory Service (IAS), presented the key note paper on 'Current immigration law development' while former chairman of Privatisation Commission Enam Ahmed Chowdhury attended seminar as chief guest.
Entry Clearance Manager at British High Commission Neil Angel, Assistant Clearance Manager Lina Chowdhury and ISA representative in Pakistan Aleya Sarel also spoke at the seminar held at a hotel in Sylhet city Saturday night. IAS UK Representative to Bangladesh Abdul Hasad Chowdhury conducted the programme.
Keith Best, also a former British MP, said IAS is UK's largest charity providing advice on immigration and asylum laws. These services are free for people who are eligible.
IAS is trying to do its job sincerely and is successful in 82 per cent family visit cases and 65 per cent student appeals for visa, he said.
Nei Angel said there has been 'big changes in British immigration laws in recent years. Alongside the existing process, online system of visa application for UK was introduced on 20 November. No doubt, it would make the process faster, he added.
Referring to some recent incidents he said, submission of false and forged documents is harmful for the persons concerned and other visa applicants.
In Bangladesh, more than 50 per cent of applications for UK visa are made from Sylhet division, Neil said.
The Sylhet office of IAS was opened in July 2000 by the then British High Commissioner David Ccarter. It provides services to about 3000 visa applicants every year.
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