Bangladesh is seeking a diplomatic review after the United Arab Emirates cancelled visas held by more than 4,000 Bangladeshis, many of whom say they were given no reason and cannot return to their jobs, shops or families in the UAE.

Visa cancellations leave returnees stuck in Bangladesh

The United Arab Emirates has cancelled the visas of more than 4,000 Bangladeshis, leaving many affected expatriates stranded in Bangladesh after travelling home on leave. The cancellations have prevented them from returning to jobs, businesses and family lives in the Gulf country, with those affected saying they have not been told why their visas were revoked.

Bangladesh has raised the issue with UAE authorities through diplomatic channels and has asked for the decisions to be reviewed. Affected Bangladeshis have also given the authorities until September 22 to find a solution, according to the report published on September 14, 2026.

For many returnees, the cancellations appear to have arrived without prior notice. Abul Kalam Azad, who had lived in the UAE for 27 years, returned to Bangladesh on April 7. He received an email on July 24 informing him that his visa had been cancelled.

Abul Kalam Azad, an affected Bangladeshi expatriate who had lived in the UAE for 27 years, said:

No reason was mentioned in the email,

Azad was among about 350 affected Bangladeshis who joined a programme at the National Press Club on September 7 to call for a resolution.

Notices arrive by email and mobile message

Other affected expatriate Bangladeshis described similar experiences, saying cancellation notices began reaching them from July through emails or mobile messages. Some sponsors in the UAE also reportedly received notifications.

Travellers standing with suitcases near airport check-in counters
Many affected Bangladeshis say the cancellations have blocked their return to work and business commitments in the UAE.

One returnee said he had no criminal case or legal problem in the UAE and did not understand why his visa had been cancelled. He said he owned two businesses there and that his wife was in the UAE, adding that he had expected to be in Dubai but was instead seeking help from one office to another. He said being unable to return would cause severe financial damage.

Bangladesh has been sending workers to the UAE since 1976. Over the past five decades, the Middle Eastern country has become one of the main destinations for Bangladeshi expatriates. More than 12 lakh Bangladeshis now live in the UAE.

Government says diplomatic efforts are under way

On September 7, State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur wrote on Facebook that his ministry and the foreign ministry were aware that 4,000 Bangladeshis had had their visas cancelled.

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur said:

Many of them have businesses and shops there. Efforts are underway to resolve the matter diplomatically,

Ministry sources later put the number of affected Bangladeshis at 4,800.

At the September 7 National Press Club programme, affected expatriates placed a five-point set of demands. These included rehabilitation and financial support while the crisis remains unresolved.

  • Monthly assistance of Tk 15,000–20,000 for affected migrants and their families
  • High-level diplomatic engagement with the UAE so expatriates can return to their former workplaces
  • Government initiatives to arrange jobs in other suitable countries if a return to the UAE is not possible

Scrutiny linked to wider regional climate

MS Shekil Chowdhury, chairperson of the Centre for Non Resident Bangladeshi, said the UAE had increased scrutiny amid the current conflict situation in the Middle East. He said procedural issues, such as failing to renew visas on time or problems with documents, were being examined more closely.

Shekil also said social media activity and anything that could be treated as a security concern were attracting greater attention, while stressing that he was not saying these factors directly caused the cancellations. He said the broader geopolitical situation appeared to be shaping the heightened scrutiny and that Bangladesh needed to step up engagement with the UAE.

For travellers and expatriate workers, the case underlines the importance of monitoring visa status, document validity and official communications while abroad or on leave. For Bangladesh’s overseas employment sector, the outcome could affect thousands of families dependent on UAE-based earnings and businesses.