Bangladesh seeks reopening of UAE labor visas, facilitating greater mobility

Dhaka: Bangladesh has formally requested the reopening of labor visas and greater mobility facilities for its nationals during a high-level meeting with the United Arab Emirates, underscoring the importance of overseas employment to bilateral ties.

UAE Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdulla Ali AlHmoudi paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka on Tuesday, February 24. The meeting reaffirmed the longstanding friendship and expanding strategic partnership between the two countries, read a press release of the ministry.

During the discussion, the Foreign Minister conveyed appreciation for greetings from UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to advancing relations under the “Bangladesh First” policy toward a comprehensive strategic and economic partnership.

A key focus of the talks was the status of Bangladeshi workers in the UAE. The minister expressed gratitude to the UAE for hosting around 1.2 million Bangladeshi expatriates and formally requested the reopening of labor visas. He also called for facilitating greater mobility for Bangladeshi nationals, including easing procedures for business and transit visas.

Both sides discussed accelerating negotiations on the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and enhancing cooperation in trade, energy, infrastructure development, and public-private partnership (PPP) projects. They reaffirmed their commitment to expanding collaboration across sectors and strengthening people-to-people connectivity.

Earlier, the UAE envoy also met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, who emphasized the importance of exchanging high-level visits and holding regular meetings of existing bilateral mechanisms to identify new areas of cooperation and advance shared interests.

Officials said the renewed diplomatic engagement is expected to pave the way for stronger economic ties and improved workforce mobility between Bangladesh and the UAE.

K