UAE visa cancellation reports exaggerated, says state minister

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has dismissed reports claiming that 5,000 Bangladeshi visas have been cancelled in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), saying the figures are inaccurate.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, she said that, according to the Bangladesh Embassy, 626 visas have been automatically cancelled so far.

However, she clarified that the affected individuals are not all Bangladeshi nationals; the group also includes citizens of Pakistan, Egypt, the Philippines, Nepal, and several other countries.

The minister said that media reports mentioning 5,000 cancelled visas were incorrect.

She added that the Bangladeshi government has already received a list of 417 affected individuals, and requests have been submitted to the UAE authorities to renew their visas.

Information on the remaining cases is being forwarded in phases.

She also said the Bangladesh Embassy is contacting the employers of affected workers. If any workers lost their jobs or had their visas cancelled due to the actions of their employers, the responsibility of those companies will also be taken into consideration.

According to Shama Obaed Islam, Bangladesh's ambassadors in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have already begun discussions with the relevant UAE authorities, and another meeting is scheduled for next week. The government remains hopeful that the issue will be resolved through dialogue.

Addressing Bangladeshi expatriates, the minister urged them to strictly follow the laws of their host country, warning that violations—including unlawful activities on social media—could result in legal action by local authorities.

She also warned against the use of forged documents to obtain overseas employment, saying such practices not only put individual workers at risk but also damage Bangladesh's reputation and affect opportunities for other job seekers.

The minister said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment are working together to prevent such irregularities.

She added that the government is prepared to amend or strengthen existing laws, if necessary, in consultation with the Ministry of Law, to better protect Bangladeshi migrant workers in the future.