press release:IBFB,6Dec:
The International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) held a seminar on “How to Apply and Obtain a U.S. Visa” on 06 December 2012 at BRAC Centre Inn, Dhaka. The seminar commenced at 11 AM with the presence of IBFB Directors/Members, guests and journalists. The Chief Guest at the event was Mr. Jamie Fouss, Consul General, U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, who was accompanied by Ms. Ogniana Ivanova Sriram, Vice Consul, U.S. Embassy. The meeting was attended by many business personalities eager to know the process of gaining a U.S. visa. The seminar was sponsored by Mr. Md. Amir Hossain, Managing Director of PHP Float Glass of Industries Ltd.
Mr. Hafizur Rahman Khan, President, IBFB, presided over the event by thanking the audience for being present in the event and expressed his gratitude to Mr. Jamie Fouss, Consul General, U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh for being present as the Chief Guest. In his speech, Mr. Khan, introduced IBFB to the audience and spoke of its activities. He then mentioned that around 7 million expatriate Bangladeshis are working in different parts of the world and foreign remittance sent by them is the second largest source of foreign earnings and a major contribution to GDP for Bangladesh. Mr. Khan, requested the U.S. Govt. to reintroduce the DV Visa for Bangladeshi citizens as the United States of America (USA) can also avail such services and intellectual talents by importing skilled and semi-skilled human resources, technical experts and professionals from Bangladesh. He praised the online disposal of U.S. Visa as quite fair and transparent. But, encouraged for more flexibility in the U.S. Visa process for permanent residency in the U.S., and easier investment visas with a reduced proportion of amount for Bangladeshi investors. He also emphasized that significant times are normally required in the queue, and recommended for establishing a separate business visa desk for Bangladeshi businesspersons intending to go to the U.S. Mr. Khan, on behalf of IBFB, proposed to the U.S. Embassy to utilize the resources, expertise and nationwide network of IBFB in facilitating different services and facilities to its stakeholders like processing U.S. Visa, organizing different promotional activities such as U.S. Visa Fair, U.S. Education Fair etc. Mr. Khan then requested Ms. Ogniana Ivanova Sriram, Vice Consul, U.S. Embassy to give a presentation on U.S. visa process and requirements.
Ms. Ivanova, in her presentation firstly explained the Non-Immigrant Visa process and what Visa to apply for business related matters. She explained the types of Visitor and Medical treatment Visas, their duration and how to apply for them. She then elaborated the interview process and gave some tips to the audience on how to prepare and what to bring along for the interview to get the Visas quickly. She also gave the audience an idea of how long it might take to get the Visa after the interview and what are the reasons of any delay.
Secondly, she gave a description of the Immigrant Investor Visa (EB-5) which was created by the U.S. Congress in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. Ms. Ivanova explained that this type of Visa is granted to businesspersons who purchased an enterprise and the existing business is restructured or reorganized or in such a way that a new commercial enterprise results. She spoke about the capital requirements for this type of Visa and the Regional Centers (I-5 Pilot Program) which are there to help the businesspersons invest in selected areas in the United States. Ms. Ivanova then mentioned the procedural details and informed the audience that the I5 Pilot Program was the most popular among businesspersons willing to invest in the U.S. and the U.S. Government is eager to sanction more I-5 Visas to investors. A question and answer session was then held to answer the audiences questions about the U.S. Visa.
The audiences questioned Mr. Jamie Fouss, Consul General, U.S. Embassy, Ms. Ogniana Ivanova Sriram, Vice Consul, US Embassy, Mr. Hafizur Rahman Khan, President, IBFB, and Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, Founding President, IBFB, about the amount of investment and whether any tax holiday was present in different States in the U.S. for investors.
In his speech, Mr. Fouss, spoke about the commercial ties between Bangladesh and the U.S. and how the U.S. is the biggest importer of Bangladeshi products. Mr. Fouss welcomed business visa applications from Bangladeshi businessperson, as the Government of U.S. is eager to issue such visas in very short time to save time and promote the U.S. economy. He then spoke about the how the U.S. Government is emphasizing on focusing to improve the visa system for businesspersons so that the investors can focus more on their business than worry about the visa.
In the ending speech, Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, Founding President, IBFB, praised Mr. Jamie Fouss and Ms. Ogniana Ivanova Sriram for their speech and presentation regarding U.S. Visa and its process and expressed his gratefulness to the U.S. Government for having such a fair and transparent Visa process.
