Published : 30 Jul 2026, 06:12 AM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:28 AM
Hundreds of Bangladeshi workers have reportedly had their UAE visas cancelled over the past week, while many others are unable to renew their permits.
It has triggered widespread anxiety among the expatriate community.
Many who returned to Bangladesh on leave are now rushing back to the UAE before their visas are revoked.
The sudden demand has pushed one-way airfares from around Tk 30,000 to as high as Tk 100,000.
The exact number of cancelled visas and the reason behind the move remain unclear.
The Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi says it is seeking answers from the UAE authorities.
Social media groups for Bangladeshi expatriates in Dubai have been flooded with posts from workers seeking help after discovering their visas had been cancelled or could not be renewed.
One user, Abu Bakar Ahmed, wrote that his visa had been cancelled, putting everything he had built at risk. Another, Md Shakil Mia, said his visa was revoked on Jul 27.
Confusion also surrounds which categories of visas are affected. Some workers say labour visas are being cancelled, while others point to domestic worker visas.
On Jul 27, the Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi urged expatriates to avoid rumours circulating on social media.
"We are continuing diplomatic contacts with the relevant UAE authorities to obtain accurate information and guidance. We are also trying to determine whether this is due to a technical error or any specific reason."
The embassy also warned against misinformation spread using forged government logos, national symbols and embassy email addresses.
Shariful Hasan, head of BRAC's Migration Programme, said the organisation had been receiving a growing number of complaints from Bangladeshi workers over the past week, with many discovering their visas had been cancelled while on leave in Bangladesh.
Airline booking platforms show fares to the UAE for the remaining days of July and early August ranging from Tk 70,000 to Tk 100,000, with direct flights seeing the sharpest increases.
