Dhaka: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Thursday clarified that exactly 626 Bangladeshis have experienced “auto-cancellation” of their visas in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), countering earlier claims of 5,000 affected individuals. The government is actively collaborating with the UAE authorities to facilitate the renewal process for these visas.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the official data was shared during a joint press briefing with State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Nurul Haque at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This briefing followed an inter-ministerial meeting aimed at addressing the issue. Shama Obaed emphasized that the situation is not unique to Bangladesh, as citizens from other countries like Nepal, Pakistan, Egypt, and the Philippines have also faced similar visa cancellations.
The State Minister noted that details of 417 out of the 626 affected Bangladeshis have been forwarded to the UAE government for visa renewals, with information for the remaining individuals being processed. She highlighted the responsibility of employers in cases of visa cancellations due to job terminations and mentioned that the Bangladeshi Embassy in the UAE is working closely with these employers to find solutions.
Addressing the media, Shama Obaed urged for factual reporting and stressed the importance of expatriates adhering to the laws of their host countries. She cautioned against unlawful activities and the sharing of sensitive content on social media, emphasizing the adverse impact of fraudulent or forged documents on Bangladesh’s reputation and legal migration efforts.
The State Minister also mentioned the government’s plans to consider legal amendments to impose stricter penalties for document forgery. Efforts are underway to reduce migration costs, which are significantly higher than those from neighboring countries like Nepal, and to protect workers from fraudulent intermediaries.
In a historic move, Shama Obaed announced the establishment of a dedicated ‘Migration and NRB Affairs Wing’ within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aimed at curbing illegal migration and human trafficking.