Middle East migrant workers allowed renewing visas

Bangladeshi migrant workers currently stranded in the country due to disruptions in international flights from the Middle East will be allowed to renew their visas, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment has said.

Tensions have been rising in the Middle East following attacks and counterattacks involving the United States-Israel alliance and Iran, leading to irregular international flight operations across the region.

As a result, many expatriate workers who had returned to Bangladesh on vacation have been unable to travel back to their workplaces.

Some of the workers are facing visa expiry, while others are close to the end of their visa validity.

In a public notice, the ministry said Bangladeshi workers who returned from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Bahrain can now contact their employers or sponsors (kafeel) to renew their visas. They will also be able to submit applications through online channels.

The notice added that the governments of Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have already extended visa validity by one month for workers whose visas have expired or are close to expiry.

According to the ministry, Bangladeshi workers who are currently on leave in the country have been unable to return to their respective destinations due to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict and related travel disruptions.

To address the situation, alternative arrangements have been introduced to help affected workers renew their visas without needing to travel back immediately.