UAE resumes visa issuance for Bangladeshis, issues 50 daily

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has resumed issuing visas for Bangladeshi nationals, a significant step forward following months of diplomatic efforts.

UAE Ambassador Abdulla Ali ALHmoudi announced it during a meeting with Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi on Sunday, May 4.

The UAE Embassy in Dhaka is now processing 30 to 50 visit visas daily, with expedited bulk processing for business delegations to boost commercial ties. 

The UAE Ministry of Human Resources has also reactivated its online system for skilled employment visas, issuing permits for professionals like marketing managers and hotel staff in recent weeks. Additionally, 500 security guard visas have been granted, with another 1,000 approved for imminent issuance.

Ambassador ALHmoudi credited Siddiqi’s engagement, including over six ministerial visits, for advancing visa facilitation and investment cooperation. He assured flexibility for humanitarian cases flagged by Bangladeshi authorities and signalled plans to further ease restrictions progressively.

Siddiqi welcomed the progress, expressing gratitude for the UAE’s support and the launch of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with terms of reference already agreed. 

A high-level UAE cabinet delegation is slated to visit Bangladesh later this month to deepen bilateral ties.