Bangladesh still hosts 33,648 illegal foreigners, action in Feb

Bangladesh still hosts 33,648 foreigners living illegally in the country, according to Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. 

Legal action against these individuals will commence from February 1, he announced.

The adviser shared the information with reporters following a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Law and Order at the Secretariat on Monday (January 20).

"Earlier, we issued a circular highlighting that many foreigners are staying in our country illegally with expired visas. Initially, the number was 49,226. That has now decreased to 33,648," said Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.

He further added that the government had set a deadline for legalisation, which will expire on January 31. 

"Through the legalisation process, we have earned Tk 105.3 crore in revenue. Many have already left the country, but legal action will be taken against those who remain beyond the deadline," he stated.

The advisor also emphasized that employers of illegal foreign workers would face consequences. "Foreigners need a permit to work in Bangladesh. If any organisation employs individuals without proper permits, action will also be taken against those employers," he warned.