Xinhua
03 Feb 2025

DHAKA, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladeshi interim government has formed a high-powered task force to set the course of action regarding foreign nationals residing illegally in the South Asian country.

A gazette notification to this end was issued Monday, stating that this order will come into effect immediately.

According to the Home Ministry notification, the 11-member task force will coordinate actions and provide guidance on the handling of illegal foreign nationals in Bangladesh.

Last month, the ministry issued a circular requesting foreign nationals staying or working illegally in Bangladesh to acquire the necessary documents by Jan. 31.

As of the available database of the Home Ministry till Jan. 20, some 33,648 foreign nationals are residing illegally or have overstayed their visas in Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi interim government's Home Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said on several occasions recently that they will take legal action against the foreigners who are staying and working illegally in Bangladesh after Jan. 31.

He said that there were 49,226 foreigners living illegally in Bangladesh and the number has reduced to 33,648 as many of the illegal foreigners have already obtained legal documents.