War fears add to Saudi visa woes for Bangladesh
Saudi government has recently tightened scrutiny of employment visas after discovering that some workers were arriving without receiving the jobs or work permits promised by employers
ATT Correspondent 
Bangladesh’s overseas employment sector is facing fresh uncertainty as tighter visa controls by Saudi Arabia coincide with rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, raising concerns about the future of thousands of Bangladeshi job seekers.
Industry insiders say the Saudi government has recently tightened scrutiny of employment visas after discovering that some workers were arriving without receiving the jobs or work permits promised by employers.
Authorities at the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development reportedly rejected thousands of visa applications last month after identifying fraudulent job demands submitted by employers without genuine labour requirements.
The move has significantly disrupted Bangladesh’s overseas migration, particularly to Saudi Arabia, which remains the country’s largest labour market. Data from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training show that migration to Saudi Arabia dropped by 33% in February compared with January, while total overseas employment from Bangladesh declined by 32% during the same period.
The situation has raised alarm among policymakers and industry leaders as Saudi Arabia is also the largest source of remittances for Bangladesh. In 2025, Bangladeshi workers in the kingdom sent home about $5.08 billion, accounting for roughly 15 per cent of the country’s total remittance inflow of $32.81 billion.
Recruiting agencies warn that the situation could worsen as tensions in the Middle East escalate, potentially reducing demand for foreign workers. During the first five days of February, Bangladesh sent 13,661 workers to Saudi Arabia, but the figure dropped to 5,474 during the same period this month.
Tipu Sultan, former joint secretary of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies, said visa issuance has fallen dramatically.
“Visa issuance is now around five per cent of its previous level,” he said, adding that some visas initially appeared in Saudi Arabia’s online system but later disappeared, raising concerns about irregularities.
He warned that the ongoing conflict in the region could further complicate the situation. “With the war involving Iran, overall visa issuance may decline further,” he said.
Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury said the government is closely monitoring the developments.
Coordination meetings have been held with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relevant agencies and the Bangladesh embassy in Riyadh.
“The Saudi authorities introduced stricter controls after complaints that some workers were not getting the jobs they were promised,” the minister said, adding that discussions are ongoing to ensure Bangladeshi workers can travel safely with guaranteed employment.
Saudi Arabia remains the largest destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers, with unofficial estimates suggesting that more than three million Bangladeshis are currently employed there. In 2025, about 67% of Bangladesh’s overseas workers went to the kingdom.
Migration experts say that although stricter verification may reduce fraudulent job offers and lower migration costs in the long run, the immediate impact is likely to be a slowdown in worker migration. They also note that Saudi Arabia is increasingly prioritising skilled workers under its Skill Verification Programme, which requires certification in recognised trades before employment.
With several other labour markets such as the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain and Malaysia restricting Bangladeshi recruitment in recent years, analysts say the developments in Saudi Arabia could have a significant impact on Bangladesh’s labour export sector in the coming months.
Read More: 405 Bangladeshis return from Dubai on US-Bangla’s second special flight
Biman crew stranded in Dubai brought back by US-Bangla
A US F-15 fighter jet crashes in Kuwait
Two Bangladeshi expatriates killed and seven injured in Middle East conflict
US suspends immigrant visas for Bangladeshi citizens, effective from January 21
Airspace closures cancel 102 flights in 3 days at HSIA
More ME flights axed as misery deepens for stranded passengers
Govt to reopen closed airports before building new ones
Bangladesh in the Eyes of an Indian Traveller
Busting Myths: What It's Like to Travel Across Bangladesh
Why Bangladesh Struggles to Attract Tourists
Bandarban: The Paradise of Nature
How Political Unrest Crushed Bangladesh's Tourism & Aviation Industry
Some Heritage Sites and Monuments of Bangladesh
