Complexity in e-Visa Verification Causes Delays at Dhaka Airport

Passengers using e-visas are experiencing significant delays while clearing immigration at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, with some taking up to one to one-and-a-half hours to complete the process.

Immigration officials said the main challenge lies in the barcode-based verification system used for e-visas. In many cases, the barcode does not contain complete or easily readable information, forcing officers to conduct manual cross-checks using multiple databases. This makes the verification process slow and cumbersome, especially during peak arrival hours.

An aviation expert said the problem is being compounded by the lack of adequate technical skills and proper training among immigration police. According to him, while Bangladesh has adopted e-visa facilities in line with global trends, the supporting infrastructure and human resource capacity have not been upgraded at the same pace.

Immigration authorities also acknowledged that heightened scrutiny has been imposed due to several factors. These include objections raised by US immigration authorities, incidents of illegal residence by Bangladeshi nationals abroad, and the need to identify criminals and individuals with prior records. As a result, officers are exercising extra caution when processing travelers, particularly those arriving from or traveling to sensitive destinations.

Officials said this additional layer of checking, combined with technical limitations, has led to long queues and passenger frustration at immigration counters. Travelers arriving on international flights during busy periods are the worst affected.

Aviation analysts warn that unless immigration systems are modernized and officers receive targeted digital training, delays could worsen as passenger traffic increases. They stressed that improving e-visa data integration, upgrading scanning software, and enhancing staff capacity are essential to ensure smooth airport operations and maintain Bangladesh’s image as an emerging regional travel hub.

Airport authorities said they are aware of the issue and that discussions are ongoing to improve coordination between immigration, aviation authorities, and relevant ministries to streamline the e-visa verification process.