4,800 Bangladeshis Stranded as UAE Visas Are Cancelled Without Warning
Around 4,800 Bangladeshis are reportedly unable to return to the UAE after their residence visas were cancelled without a clear explanation.
Thousands of Bangladeshis who travelled home on leave are reportedly unable to return to the UAE after their residence visas were cancelled without prior notice or a stated reason. A report cited by the source puts the number of affected people at around 4,800.
The UAE is home to nearly 12 lakh Bangladeshi nationals, many of whom work in construction, manufacturing and transport. Remittances from Bangladeshi workers in the UAE reached $3.65 billion between 2023 and 2024, making the country Bangladesh’s largest source of remittances.
Several affected residents said they had been outside the UAE for only two to three months when they received cancellation notices by email or message. One businessman who had lived in the UAE for decades said his visa was cancelled while his wife and businesses remained in Dubai.
Around 350 affected Bangladeshis recently met officials in Dhaka and submitted demands for government intervention, including financial assistance and support in finding employment elsewhere if they cannot return to the UAE.
The precise reason for the cancellations remains unclear. UAE rules generally allow residence visas to be cancelled when holders stay outside the country for more than six consecutive months, but some affected Bangladeshis say this limit did not apply to them.
Bangladesh has raised the matter with UAE authorities and sought a review. Officials have also urged affected expatriates to remain patient while diplomatic efforts continue. UAE authorities have not publicly provided a specific explanation for the reported cancellations.
