Bangladeshi expatriates in the UAE are facing unexpected visa cancellations, which has left many in a state of uncertainty (Photo: Rashed Sumon)
The Daily Star reported that the number of affected Bangladeshis has risen from around 4,000 to 4,800, citing Bangladeshi ministry sources. Bangladesh’s foreign ministry had said on July 30 that 626 Bangladeshis had faced automatic visa cancellations, while stressing that the cancellations were not specific to Bangladesh and had also affected nationals of other countries. The UAE is home to around 1.2 million Bangladeshi expatriates, according to Bangladesh’s foreign ministry.
However, the UAE has not publicly confirmed the figure. The Bangladesh government has not announced a final number of affected nationals or a confirmed reason for the visa cancellations.
MS Shekil Chowdhury, chairman of the Centre for Non-Resident Bangladeshi, said UAE authorities had increased scrutiny amid the wider Middle East conflict, including checks related to visa renewals, documentation and social media activity. Dhaka has been seeking greater mobility and the reopening of labour visas for Bangladeshi nationals. The reasons behind the latest cancellations remain unclear. He stressed that he was not saying these factors directly caused the cancellations.
Bangladesh’s expatriates’ welfare ministry has asked recently affected Bangladeshis to submit their details as the government works to establish the scale of the problem. Affected expatriates have also sought financial assistance, rehabilitation and diplomatic intervention to help them return to their previous workplaces.