The United Arab Emirates made significant progress in resuming visa issuance for Bangladeshi nationals, following ‘sustained diplomatic engagement’ between the two countries, officials said.
Meanwhile, a high-level UAE cabinet delegation is scheduled to visit Bangladesh later this month to further advance bilateral cooperation.
UAE ambassador to Bangladesh Abdulla Ali ALHmoudi on Sunday called on the chief adviser’s special envoy Lutfey Siddiqi at his office and discussed issues of mutual interest.
Ambassador ALHmoudi informed the special envoy that the UAE embassy in Dhaka was then issuing between 30 and 50 visit visas daily.
Additionally, bulk visa processing for business delegations has been expedited, enhancing people-to-people and commercial exchanges.
‘In a major development, the UAE ministry of human resources has reactivated its online system for skilled employment visas,’ said chief adviser’s deputy press secretary Abul Kalam Azad.
During the meeting, the envoy expressed appreciation for Siddiqi’s active engagement with the UAE government in recent weeks, which included over half a dozen ministerial visits focusing on issues ranging from visa facilitation to investment cooperation.
Visas for professionals such as marketing managers and hotel staff have been issued in recent weeks. Furthermore, 500 visas for security guards have already been granted, with another 1,000 approved and set for issuance shortly.
It is expected that the UAE would progressively ease visa restrictions further over time.
The ambassador also assured continued flexibility in considering humanitarian and compassionate cases flagged by the Bangladeshi authorities.
Special envoy Siddiqi welcomed the developments and thanked envoy ALHmoudi for his openness and support.
He also expressed gratitude for the launch of negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, noting that the two sides had already agreed on terms of reference.
