Bangladeshis are falling behind in the ongoing sponsorship and non-seasonal visa application process due to a lack of a residence certificate. A mandatory ‘Allegia’ certificate from the local municipality is required as proof of residence. The government’s new guidelines have tightened the minimum square footage criteria for accommodation for sponsored or non-seasonal visas.
Now a person must have at least 14 square meters of space, excluding bathrooms, verandas, or balconies. As a result, the application process has become more complicated.
Taking advantage of this stringency, some unscrupulous brokers are demanding up to around 3 lakhs in Bangladeshi currency. Many expatriate Bangladeshis have called for it to be relaxed.
Meanwhile, many Bangladeshis are not getting house rent easily from locals. Expatriates feel that many may be harassed due to the automated verification process.
Final applications for ongoing sponsor visas will begin on ‘Click Day’ in February 2026. However, the advanced form-filling process has already started. Which will continue on December 7.
Immigration experts the number of Bangladeshi workers may be lower than in previous years due to the complexity of the new housing standards.
