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Bangladeshi expatriates face uncertainty after thousands of UAE visas were reportedly cancelled (Img: Pinterest)
New Delhi: Thousands of Bangladeshis who travelled home from the United Arab Emirates on leave are now facing an uncertain future after their UAE visas were cancelled, preventing them from returning to their jobs and businesses.
Bangladeshi officials have taken up the matter with authorities in the UAE and sought a review of the cancellations. Many affected expatriates say they received cancellation notices without being told why their visas had been revoked.
Reports from Bangladesh put the number of affected nationals at more than 4,000, with the figure later estimated at around 4,800 by Bangladeshi ministry sources.
The cancellations have caused particular concern among people who had been living in the UAE for years and travelled to Bangladesh temporarily. Some now cannot return to workplaces, shops and businesses that they had left behind.
The issue has also created financial pressure for families that depend on money sent home by migrant workers.
For several affected expatriates, the cancellation came after they had already returned to Bangladesh.
One such case involves Abul Kalam Azad, who had lived in the UAE for 27 years. He returned to Bangladesh on April 7 and was informed by email on July 24 that his UAE visa had been cancelled. According to his account, the notification did not mention a reason.
Around 350 affected Bangladeshis attended a programme at the National Press Club in Dhaka on September 7, seeking government intervention in the matter.
The UAE has not publicly provided a specific explanation for the latest cancellations involving Bangladeshi nationals.
Bangladeshi migrant representatives have pointed to increased scrutiny by UAE authorities, including checks related to documentation and visa procedures. Some have also linked the tighter scrutiny to the wider security situation in the Middle East.
However, these explanations have not been officially confirmed by the UAE as the reason for the cancellations. The available reports therefore do not establish a single cause for all the cases.
The Bangladeshi government has raised the matter through diplomatic channels and asked the UAE to reconsider the cancellations.
Affected expatriates have also given authorities until September 22 to find a solution. Their demands include efforts to restore their ability to return to the UAE, along with financial and rehabilitation support if they are unable to resume their previous employment or businesses.
More than 1.2 million Bangladeshis live and work in the UAE, making the Gulf country one of the largest destinations for Bangladeshi expatriates.
Many work in construction, manufacturing, transport and other sectors. For workers who depend on overseas employment, an unexpected visa cancellation can mean not only losing access to their workplace but also a sudden disruption to household income in Bangladesh.
The latest reports also need to be viewed against figures cited by Bangladeshi authorities earlier.
In July, Bangladesh's government had referred to 626 cases of automatic visa cancellation and rejected reports that around 5,000 Bangladeshis had already been affected. The figure reported in September is considerably higher, with Bangladeshi ministry sources now putting the number at around 4,800.
The difference in the figures has added to uncertainty surrounding the scale and nature of the cancellations.
Bangladesh is continuing discussions with the UAE as affected expatriates wait for clarification and a possible review of their cases.
For those who have already lost access to their UAE jobs or businesses, the outcome of the diplomatic discussions could determine whether they can return or will need to find alternative sources of employment.
