China Embassy warns against visa fraud, introduces new rules for agencies in Bangladesh
Dhaka: The Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh has warned visa applicants against fraudulent practices by some travel agencies and announced new regulations for agencies handling Chinese visa applications.
In a notice published on its official Facebook page on May 20, the embassy said it had recently identified various forms of misconduct by certain visa application travel agencies in Bangladesh.
According to the embassy, some agencies were involved in falsifying application materials, failing to disclose fees, exaggerating the difficulty of obtaining Chinese visas, delaying application procedures, spreading false information, and deceiving applicants.
The embassy said such activities had disrupted Chinese visa processing operations and harmed the interests of applicants.
To improve visa-related services, the embassy announced that from July 5, 2026, all local travel agencies in Bangladesh handling Chinese visa applications on behalf of applicants must obtain accreditation from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The embassy clarified that no travel agency receives preferential treatment in the visa process and that screening standards remain the same for all applicants.
“To shorten waiting time, applicants are advised to submit applications independently through the official website of the Chinese Visa Application Service Center instead of entrusting travel agencies,” the notice said.
The embassy also stressed that it has not authorized, designated, or recommended any institution as an exclusive visa agency, nor has it established partnerships with any visa service provider.
It warned that legal action would be taken against any institution or individual falsely claiming to represent the embassy for commercial visa processing activities.
The embassy urged applicants to remain vigilant against fraud and encouraged people to report irregular activities by visa agencies through its official email addresses.
The Chinese Embassy said it remains committed to providing efficient and quality visa services for Bangladeshi citizens and would continue introducing measures to facilitate people-to-people exchanges between Bangladesh and China.
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