Urgent: 4800 Bangladeshi Expats Stranded After UAE Visa Cancellations

DUBAI / DHAKA — September 17, 2026. Approximately 4,800 Bangladeshi expatriates who traveled from the United Arab Emirates to their home country on ordinary leave have found their residency and work visas cancelled without explanation. The unexpected cancellations, which appear to have begun in July 2026 and continued through September, have prevented many workers from returning to their employment, businesses, and families in the UAE.

• Nearly 4,800 Bangladeshi expats face sudden UAE residency and work visa cancellations.
• Affected workers were on ordinary leave in Bangladesh and stayed well within the standard six-month absence window.
• Protests held in Dhaka as workers demand a government solution by September 22.
• Bangladesh government is monitoring cases and holding diplomatic discussions.

Impact on Workers and Families

Many of those affected had been in Bangladesh for only two to three months, well within the standard six-month absence window that typically does not result in visa forfeiture. Abul Kalam Azad, a resident of the UAE for 27 years who returned to Bangladesh on April 7, reported receiving an email notification of his visa cancellation on July 24 without any stated reason. On September 7, approximately 350 affected individuals gathered at the National Press Club in Dhaka to protest the situation, issuing a demand for a government solution by September 22.

Over 1.2 million Bangladeshis currently reside in the UAE, working in sectors including construction, hospitality, retail, and transportation. The sudden cancellations have resulted in job losses, the abandonment of small businesses, and a cessation of remittances. Officials in Dhaka suggest that the UAE has intensified scrutiny due to regional security concerns, with potential triggers including delayed document renewals, social media activity, or undisclosed security flags. The UAE government has not provided a public explanation for these actions.

Government Response and Recruitment Decline

Bangladesh State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare Nurul Haque Nur confirmed the government is actively monitoring at least 4,000 cases and is engaging in diplomatic discussions to request a case-by-case review. Official reports from July initially cited 626 auto-cancellations, indicating a rapid increase in the number of affected individuals. The Bangladeshi government is being urged by affected workers to provide temporary financial support of Tk 15,000–20,000 per family and assistance in finding alternative employment options.

New recruitment of Bangladeshi workers to the UAE has significantly declined, falling from nearly 98,000 in 2023 to fewer than 20,000 in 2026. While Oman and Bahrain remain largely closed to new Bangladeshi labor, Oman recently signed an agreement to accept 10,000 agricultural and fisheries workers. Authorities advise expatriates to verify their visa status via the ICP or GDRFA applications before traveling and to document all communications with sponsors. Stranded workers are encouraged to contact the Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate in Dubai for assistance.