It was mentioned in the Daily Guardian's report yesterday that Britain's visa-free appointments are being sold at a maximum of 800 pounds in various countries of South Asia including Bangladesh.
According to the report, UK visa appointments in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Nepal are pre-booked by brokers using various techniques. Later, it came to their investigation as it was sold at a high price. In some parts of South Asia brokers are charging up to £800 for a biometric appointment. They sell slots strategically by advertising extensively on various social and messaging services, including Facebook and Telegram. If you pay more, you can get an appointment on the next day.
Notably, those from various countries including Bangladesh who apply for a visa to stay in the UK for more than six months are required to attend an in-person appointment in their home country to be fingerprinted and photographed. An appointment slot is usually free and usually sells for £35 to a maximum of £85 in priority basis. A company named VFS Global conducts visa interviews in South Asian countries including Bangladesh on behalf of the home office.
The report mentions that the business of selling visa slots in Pakistan is the worst. It is understood that abuse of the system by agents has increased significantly compared to last year. People applying for UK visas from the country said they had no choice but to pay brokers.
Students who came to the United Kingdom on care visas, work permits and student visas said to the Daily Dazzling Dawn that they do not know about selling slots by advertising on Facebook or social media in Bangladesh. Care visa student visa processing establishments may be involved in slot selling fraud.
Quazi Mahfuzur Rahman, a well-known ILTS instructor of Sylhet region, told on Monday, It’s not possible but now one can submit to vfs on off days paying more money. "He has not heard any news about the sale of slots on social media or any other medium. however, sometimes Visa applicants are at great risk sometimes after the arrival of the all papers or when the semester is very near to start for the student visa applicant. The UK visa application process in Bangladesh can be made easier by employing more manpower.