4,800 Bangladeshis in UAE visa limbo
The cancellation of nearly 4,800 visas of Bangladeshis by the United Arab Emirates has raised fresh concerns over the country’s labour market, as many expatriates face uncertainty over their jobs, businesses and return to the Gulf state.
The cancellations, which reportedly began in July, have affected Bangladeshis living in the UAE as well as those who travelled to Bangladesh
on holiday.
The government is pursuing diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue and has asked Abu Dhabi to reconsider the decision.
The development comes as the wider Middle East conflict continues to put pressure on regional labour markets, affecting employment prospects, mobility and the livelihoods of migrant workers.
For Bangladesh, the uncertainty in the UAE adds to concerns over one of its most important overseas employment destinations.
State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur told the media that the UAE had informed Bangladesh that the visa cancellations were linked to internal security considerations. Nur also said the number of cancelled visas had risen to around 4,800.
“We have asked why these visas are being cancelled and requested that the cases be reviewed and scrutinised again,” he said, adding that Bangladesh had raised the issue with the UAE from the perspective of bilateral relations.
The government has sought clarification on the reasons for the cancellations and urged the UAE authorities to reconsider the cases of those affected.
Many Bangladeshis reportedly learned about the cancellations through emails, mobile phone messages or notifications sent to their employers and sponsors, known as kafils.
Some who came to Bangladesh on holiday have been unable to return to the UAE after discovering that their visas had been cancelled.
Several affected expatriates said they had no criminal cases, arrest warrants or legal allegations against them.
They have businesses and families in the UAE, but the cancellations have left them uncertain about their ability to return and resume their normal lives.
One expatriate said he feared losing his business and livelihood if he could not return to the UAE.
The uncertainty has also raised concerns among Bangladeshi workers who depend on their employment in the country to support families at home.
Bangladesh’s labour market in the UAE began in 1976. Over nearly five decades, the country has become one of the principal destinations for Bangladeshi migrant workers.
Around 1.2 million Bangladeshis currently live and work in the UAE, making the country a major source of employment and remittance income for Bangladesh.
The latest visa cancellations have therefore created concerns beyond the affected individuals, particularly over the stability of future employment opportunities and the potential impact on migrant workers’ livelihoods.
The visa cancellations come against the backdrop of continuing war and instability in the Middle East, which have affected economic activity, business confidence and labour mobility across the region.
The conflict has created additional uncertainty for migrant workers, whose employment depends on the stability of host-country economies and the ability to travel freely between Bangladesh and their countries of employment.
For Bangladesh, the situation highlights the need to protect existing migrant workers while ensuring that political and security developments do not unnecessarily restrict access to overseas employment.
Migration experts have called for urgent diplomatic action to resolve the visa issue and safeguard Bangladeshis working in the UAE.
M S Shekil Chowdhury, chairperson of the Centre for NBR, told the media that the cancellations could be influenced by wider regional and international political developments in the Middle East.
He stressed the importance of strengthening Bangladesh’s relations with the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries to help address the crisis.
Chowdhury also suggested that Bangladesh make greater use of the experience and contacts of prominent Bangladeshis serving in different Middle Eastern countries.
He said their networks could help the government understand the situation and explore ways to resolve the problem.
At the same time, he noted that social media statements by Bangladeshis on regional and international political issues could come to the attention of authorities in host countries, potentially affecting perceptions of the Bangladeshi community.
The Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi has urged expatriates whose visas have been cancelled automatically to send their necessary information to the embassy’s designated email address.
The information will help the embassy identify affected individuals and support the government’s efforts to assess the situation and take further steps.
As Bangladesh continues diplomatic engagement with the UAE, expatriates are hoping for a review of the cancellations and a resolution that will allow them to return to their jobs, businesses and families.
