Japanese citizens will once again be able to get Chinese visas, Beijing said, reversing a previous ban over COVID testing China had slammed as "discriminatory." The Chinese government on Sunday said it would resume granting visas for Japanese citizens. "Starting today, the Embassy and the Offices of the Consulates-General of the People's Republic of China will resume issuing ordinary visas for Japanese citizens," a statement posted online by the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo said.  China had stopped the issuing of ordinary visas for Japanese nationals from January 10. The ban was prompted by Tokyo saying it would require COVID-19 testing for travelers from mainland China. Travelers coming from China into Japan will need a negative test in the 72 hours before boarding their flight, with Chinese visitors subject to further testing upon arrival. China has labeled the COVID-19 testing policy by Japan "discriminatory," and said it believes COVID measures should be "science-based." Yet the Japanese government defended the move, due to the high number of infections in China and lack of transparency coming from Beijing. China's easing of COVID policies raise concerns in Japan, South Korea China began lifting its zero-COVID policies in December, with most border restrictions being removed on January 8. This prompted fears among China's Asian neighbors such as Japan and South Korea that a surge of inbound Chinese travelers would cause a rise of infections in their countries. Japan and South Korea are popular tourist destinations for mainland Chinese. China has not yet announced whether it will resume the issuing of visas for South Koreans. South Korea also implemented similar COVID-19 measures towards mainland China arrivals as Japan.

Greek migration minister Notis Mitarachi tells DW that a scheme to offer seasonal work visas to Bangladeshis will start soon. Some migrants are critical of the plan, saying it offers no long-term security. It has been around six months since Bangladesh and Greece signed an agreement to grant temporary work visas for Greece to 4,000 Bangladeshi nationals each year. Under the same scheme, as many as 15,000 undocumented Bangladeshis already working in Greece will have their status legalized. In an exclusive interview with InfoMigrants in Athens, Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said the scheme, which begins this fall, will provide legal pathways for people to come to Greece without relying on people smugglers. Strict but fair migration policy As many as 30,000 Bangladeshis currently live in Greece, according to the Bangladesh embassy in Athens. About half of them are believed to be without legal status. The deal is aimed at preventing Bangladeshi migrants from making risky sea journeys to the Greek islands, or trying to cross the land border with Turkey in the northeastern Evros region. Tensions between Greece and Turkey over migration have escalated in recent weeks, with Athens claiming that Turkish security forces are pushing migrants into Greek territory, and blaming Turkey for using them as a political weapon. Greece has argued that it has the right to decide who is allowed to come to the country, and the seasonal worker visa scheme, which is confined to the agricultural sector for now, is said to be in line with the policy Athens describes as strict but fair. Greece does not accept illegal migration, Mitarachi told InfoMigrants. We protect our borders. We do not allow smugglers to select who comes to Europe. Visa offers dignity  The minister said the scheme will allow migrants from Bangladesh to come to Greece to work and earn money to support their families. Bangladeshi migrants currently send home about 100 million in remittances from Greece. 4,000 new seasonal permits will be issued on an annual basis, allowing the visa holder to work in Greece for five consecutive years, for up to nine months each year. This means the migrant has to leave the country for three months of the year. The conditions will be the same for undocumented Bangladeshi migrants who receive regular status. They will be allowed to stay in Greece for five years as seasonal workers, doing agricultural work for up to nine months per year. Mitarachi says Greece is the first European country to provide a long-term seasonal visa, offering migrants security and dignity. (The visa) allows both the employer to invest in training people, and also for the employee to have the certainty, that for a period of five years he has the same job with the same employer in the same country, Mitarachi said. No permanent relocation After five years, the migrants must leave Greece, and there are no plans to extend the time-limit. The minister said it was important that this human capital returns to their home country, he did not address the possibility that they might travel to third countries in the European Union. It’s a program for people that want to leave legally from Bangladesh, come to the European Union, gain experience, make money, work in a different environment, but maintain their social family links to the country of origin and eventually return back to their country, Mitarachi said, adding: This is not a permanent relocation program. That has caused concern among some Bangladeshi migrants in Greece, who told InfoMigrants that the deal does not provide a secure future. After 22 years in the country, Jamal Uddin still has no papers. Now living in Athens, he sees the agreement as a good initiative, but in the end, you are not getting any permanent residence permit. So, we are tense about our future. Another Bangladeshi migrant, Azizur Rahman, has been working on an agricultural farm in Varda. We have left the family for the future. If you must leave the country after five years according to the contract, then it will not bring any benefit to us. I have worked so hard to come here to establish my life, he said. Under the terms of the agreement, in order to apply for a seasonal worker visa, the worker will have to secure an employment contract in Bangladesh. Undocumented migrants already in Greece will also need to provide proof that they have a job to secure a five-year visa. Mitarachi said there would be an administrative fee of around 120 for the visa application, a figure he said was a fraction of what people pay to smugglers. But other seasonal worker programs in Europe have resulted in migrants paying thousands of euros to recruitment agents in their countries of origin, and then being exploited by gangmasters once they arrive. Asked about safeguards against illegal practices, Mitarachi said the government was working with employers in Greece and trying to ensure that the costs for migrants in Bangladesh are kept to a minimum. Unrealistic and costly InfoMigrants has been told by some Bangladeshi migrants in Greece that the scheme is unrealistic: In particular, returning home for three months each year would be too expensive. Azizur said that returning to Bangladesh after nine months of work would exhaust all his savings. While they are not obliged to go back to Bangladesh, working for three months of the year in another European country would require the migrants to have a visa from that country, which they are unlikely to receive. Any overstayers will have their visas revoked, and if the problem becomes systemic, the whole agreement will be put at risk, so hopefully everyone plays by the book, Mitarachi said. The minister also confirmed that not all undocumented Bangladeshi migrants in Greece will benefit from the deal. People who are in administrative detention, awaiting deportation, will not be eligible for regularization. Others have already decided that even if they could, they will not take up Greece’s offer. It is better not to take this paper, Salam told InfoMigrants. We came to Europe to settle here and for the safety of our life. I will not take the paper that is being offered for five years. Instead I’ll move to Italy or France. InfoMigrants is a news and information site for migrants to counter misinformation at every point of their journey. It is a collaboration led by France Médias Monde, Deutsche Welle and Italian press agency, ANSA.

Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, as Ziaur Raman was involved in the 15th August killing, therefore he did not provide visas to the international investigation committee members. He halted the trial of Bangabandhu killing by formulating law and gave opportunity to the Pakistani collaborators- Albadar, Razakar, Al Shams to practice politics by appointing them as minister and advisor. She said these while participating a virtual discussion from Ganobhaban end on the occasion of 45th martyrdom of father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and national mourning day organized by Bangladesh Awami League on Sunday. The Prime Minister said, Ziaur Rahman gave indemnity to the killers of Bangabandhu. His wife gave indemnity to the terrorists and killers by formulating law. She said, like a traitor Ziaur Rahman took the power to his own hand by toppling murderer Mushtaq. Halting the trials of the killers and rehabilitated them in Libya via Bangkok proved that Ziaur Rahman was involved in the planning of this carnage. Sheikh Hasina also said, I have to live in exile by keeping my name and identity secret though I was a daughter of the president of the country. On the other hand the killers lived a luxurious life in different embassies. AH      

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said Bangladesh suspended the visa on arrival for Chinese nationals as part of the government’s temporary policy following the outbreak of coronavirus. At the same time, he said, the government has advised Chinese nationals living in Bangladesh and working in various development projects to avoid visiting China in the next one month. “Last night (Saturday night), we took the decision to stop providing on arrival visa (until further notice),” the Foreign Minister told reporters at a briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He said regular visas will be issued but the applicants will have to produce medical certificates indicating that they have no health-related complexities. The Foreign Minister said they conveyed the decision to Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Li Jiming last night. The deaths caused by the new virus rose to at least 304 globally so far. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshed Alam were, among others, present at the briefing.      Dr Momen said the Chinese nationals who live in Bangladesh visit China frequently and conveyed that they should avoid going to China for a month.  “This will be a temporary situation,” he said, adding that this is how they are trying to control the traffic. Asked whether Bangladesh’s trade and commerce ties with China will be affected, the Foreign Minister said they do not think it will be affected by the temporary policy. Despite a 14-day restriction by the Chinese authorities, Bangladesh could bring back its nationals from China before other countries, which shows “strong friendship” with Bangladesh, he said. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Ambassador to China Mahbub Uz Zaman said the mission in Beijing will extend cooperation and assistance if any Bangladesh citizen is still willing to return from China.       "Evacuation (if required more) will be done on a case-by-case basis," he told UNB as a total of 316 Bangladesh citizens returned home on a special flight on Saturday. The Bangladesh envoy said it will be based on the ground situation and in consultation with Chinese authorities. "However, providing safety, welfare and security of our citizens remains our prime concern and objective," he said, adding that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given clear instructions to that end. Bangladeshis were brought back from China’s Wuhan, the epicentre of the new coronavirus outbreak, on Saturday morning and seven of them were sent to Kurmitola General Hospital. However, the Foreign Minister on Sunday put the number at 314. Managing Director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Mokabbir Hossain said 316 Bangladeshis, including three infants, arrived Dhaka from Wuhan. Assistant Director of the Directorate General of Health Services Dr Shahriar said 309 of them have been kept at the quarantine unit at Ashkona Hajj Camp while seven were admitted to Kurmitola General Hospital. He said four of the passengers were suffering from fever, three others from cough and sneezing. Contacted, Director of Kurmitola General Hospital Brig Gen Jamil Ahmed said doctors at the hospital found their temperature normal when they were brought here. Samples of the seven Bangladeshis were sent to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) for testing, he said. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said it is expected that further international exportation of cases may appear in any country. A number of countries have already suspended visas for Chinese travelers. The health ministry has also ordered screening of all people coming to Bangladesh from India through Benapole land port for coronavirus. Global coronavirus cases rose to nearly 14,380, surpassing that of the 2003 Sars epidemic, according to Chinese and World Health Organization data. The majority of the cases have been reported from China but about 100 cases have been confirmed in 23 other countries. Bangladesh is yet to report any case. The Philippines has recently reported the first coronavirus death outside China, reports the South China Morning Post. Source: UNB AH

Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen said, Bangladesh government did not stop issuing visas for Pakistani nationals. But visas cannot be issued from Visa section of Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad due to manpower crisis. He said these to the newsmen while discussing the matter at his office in the ministry on Tuesday. The Foreign Minister said, Bangladesh is angry over Pakistan’s interfere in Bangladesh’s internal matter. But there is no scope of tension between Bangladesh and Pakistan on the visa issue. He said, Bangladesh may not issue visa on the ground of terrorism or other reasons to any specific person. But the process of issuing visa did not stop. We will send protest as wrong information was published in this regard on different news media. He said, they are not issuing visas to some of our officers. Specifically in the consular section- who issue visas are not being given visas. Then who will do the work of issuing visas? When asked about why there is no ambassador of Pakistan in Bangladesh, the foreign minister said, they sent one as a candidate, but sue to some reason that was not accepted. Then they will appoint somebody new in that place- this is the general rules. But they did not send anybody. We will consider the matter if they send some people. AH    

Visas are made open for Bangladeshi physicians and engineers in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The visas will be given in all categories for the physicians and associated professionals and in 68 categories for the engineers. Ambassador of Bangladesh appointed in UAE Dr. Mohammad Imran said these. He delivered the information while participating in a view exchange meeting jointly organized by expatriate engineers and Bangladesh association on Thursday evening. The employment visa was undeclared banned for last six years for Bangladeshis in UAE. Although the visas for engineers and physicians were opened but some visa seekers were rejected to provide visas. Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Imran said that the situation has improved and it is a great diplomatic achievement for the government. He said, through a letter issued from the UAE Human Resources Development Ministry visas were opened for some certain professions. Engineers will be given visas for the following categories: Architect department: Architect engineer, Architect, Landscape architect, Urban planning engineer, Décor engineer. Civil engineering department: Project engineer, Civil engineer (Building construction, Roads and highways, Bridge, Airport, Port, Railway, Dam, Irrigation, Traffic engineering, Soil mechanics, General survey, Air survey, Sea survey). Electrical engineering department: General electrical, Electrical power generation, Power distribution and transmission, Power transmission, Power distribution, Electrical lines, Electrical maintenance, Precision instruments, Monitoring and control. Electronics engineering department: General electronics, Radio and television, Transmission, Maintenance, Aero plane radio and radar engineering. Mechanical engineering department: General mechanical, Production, Casting, Welding, Central air-conditioning, General maintenance, Automotive, Road machinery, Train maintenance, Aero plane maintenance, Ship maintenance, Agricultural machinery, Nuclear power. Chemical engineering department: General chemical, Research and development, Petroleum, Fertilizer, Food industry. Mine and mining engineering department: Geological, Mining, Petroleum, Oil drilling, Explosives. Industrial engineering department: General, Factory planning, Equipment installation, Manufacturing, Occupational health and safety, Handling, Material, Time and motion study, Public health and environment. The program was moderated by Engineer SA Morshed where Bangladesh Association president Engineer Moazzem Hossain, senior Engineer Mohammad Abu Zafar Chowdhury, senior Engineer Mashiur Rahman and Engineer Mohammad Shahidul Islam delivered speech. AH              

BNP has alleged that the government is not allowing visas to Lord Carlile, a British legal expert and adviser to Khaleda Zia’s legal team to arrive in Bangladesh. Senior Joint Secretary General of BNP Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged this at a press conference at the part central office at Nayapaltan in the capital on Tuesday. Rizvi said, Carlile applied for visas at the Bangladesh High Commission in London several weeks back to take part in the defense team of Khaleda Zia for appearing the hearing in the Appellate Division on Tuesday. But the High Commission did not say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in this regard. It seems clear that the government is directly obstructing Lord Carlile to enter in Bangladesh. He said, Carlile was not given the visas illegally by the government so that the existing legal team of Khaleda Zia won’t get stronger. But the current Prime Minister who was in jail during 1/11 changeover appointed Canadian and British lawyers to defend her. They came to Bangladesh and also spoke in press conference. Carlile has no option to play direct or indirect role in the court for the BNP Chairperson. There is obligation of obtaining certificate from Bangladesh Bar Council to stand for case in the court. Earlier foreign lawyers were appointed for Jamaat in the anti humanitarian cases. But they could not provide legal support after arriving in Bangladesh. Recently Lord Carlile gave an interview to international media Al Jazeera. There he claimed that the BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was given sentence without proper evidences. AH