UAE cancels Bangladeshi visas
The United Arab Emirates has cancelled the visas of more than 4,000 Bangladeshi nationals, leaving many expatriates stranded after they returned to Bangladesh on leave. Many of those affected are now unable to return to their jobs, businesses and families in the UAE.
The Daily Star has reported that more than 4,000 people have been affected, while some other reports put the number closer to 5,000. The precise total therefore remains subject to differing reports.
Many of those affected had been working or running businesses in the UAE and had travelled to Bangladesh on routine leave. They subsequently discovered that their visas had been cancelled, preventing them from returning to the Emirates.
The development has created uncertainty over jobs and livelihoods. Some affected expatriates also have family members in the UAE, adding to the disruption caused by the cancellations.
No detailed official explanation for the latest cancellations has yet been made public. Reports have described the development as occurring amid heightened scrutiny of visa holders.
The Bangladeshi government has raised the matter with the UAE through diplomatic channels and requested a review of the visa cancellations. Dhaka is seeking a resolution for expatriates who are unable to return to their workplaces and families.
The latest reports should also be distinguished from an earlier controversy in July 2026. At the time, reports suggested that around 5,000 Bangladeshis had lost their UAE visas, but Bangladeshi officials said official data showed 626 people were affected and that those automatic cancellations were not specific to Bangladeshi nationals.
The September reports are a newer development, with The Daily Star now reporting more than 4,000 affected Bangladeshis.
The UAE has long been an important destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers. However, Bangladeshi workers have faced visa and recruitment restrictions in the Emirates in recent years. Earlier reporting by The Business Standard traced significant visa-processing difficulties to the period following Bangladesh’s political upheaval in August 2024.
The latest cancellations have therefore added another layer of uncertainty for Bangladeshi expatriates and their families.
Attention will now focus on whether the UAE reviews the cancellations following Bangladesh’s diplomatic intervention. Further official clarification is also awaited on the exact number of affected people and the reasons behind the cancellations.
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