Saudi visa curbs cut Bangladeshi jobs, war adds worries

Highlights:

• Saudi Arabia tightens visas over fraudulent job demands by employers
• Thousands of Bangladeshi visa applications rejected after Saudi labour scrutiny
• Saudi-bound migration from Bangladesh dropped sharply in February
• Saudi Arabia remains Bangladesh's largest labour market and remittance source
• Most migrant complaints involve Saudi jobs, including missing iqama and wages
• Saudi shift toward skilled labour may reshape opportunities for Bangladeshi workers

Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh's largest source of overseas jobs and a key remittance lifeline, has tightened employment visa issuance amid allegations that workers are not receiving promised jobs or work permits (iqama) after arrival.

Sector insiders report that thousands of visa applications processed last month were rejected by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development after authorities uncovered fraudulent job demands submitted by employers without genuine labour needs.

The move has sharply disrupted Bangladesh's overseas employment, particularly migration to Saudi Arabia, the country's largest labour market. Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) data show Saudi-bound migration fell by 33% in February compared with January, dragging overall overseas employment down by 32%.

The development has raised concerns as Saudi Arabia remains Bangladesh's top remittance source. Last year, Bangladeshi workers sent $5.08 billion from the kingdom, representing 15% of the country's total $32.81 billion remittance inflows.

Industry insiders warn the situation could deteriorate further as Middle East tensions escalate, reducing demand for new workers. During the first five days of February, Bangladesh sent 13,661 workers to Saudi Arabia; the figure dropped to 5,474 in the same period this month.

Infograph: TBS

Tipu Sultan, former joint secretary of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies, said visa issuance has plunged to "around 5% of the previous level." He noted that some visas initially appearing in the Saudi online system later disappeared, raising concerns about irregularities.

He also warned the ongoing conflict could further complicate the situation. "Now, with the war in Iran underway, overall visa issuance is likely to be hampered further, which has already been badly affected."

Govt monitoring closely 

Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury confirmed the government is monitoring the issue closely. Coordination meetings have been held with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relevant agencies, and the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh. "The Saudi authorities have introduced controls in the visa process following complaints that some workers were not getting the jobs they were promised," he said.

He added that the government is continuing communication with the Saudi authorities so that Bangladeshi workers can travel safely with the jobs they were promised.

"Due to the war, it is difficult for any issue to receive the same attention at the moment," he said. "However, we hope that once the situation returns to normalcy, the matter will be addressed quickly."

Saudi job market

Saudi Arabia remains the largest destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers, with unofficial estimates suggesting more than 30 lakh Bangladeshis currently employed there. In 2025, 67% of Bangladesh's overseas workers went to Saudi Arabia.

While Saudi Arabia hired 65,410 workers in January, the number decreased to 43,903 in February. Bangladesh sent a total of 65,076 workers abroad in February, compared to 95,092 in the previous month.

With several other labour destinations restricting Bangladeshi workers, Saudi Arabia has become even more critical for the country's overseas employment sector.

Countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain and Malaysia have largely limited or suspended recruitment from Bangladesh in recent years.

90% complaints linked to Saudi hires

BMET records show that over 90% of migrant complaints last year were linked to Saudi employment, ranging from failure to obtain iqama to unemployment and delayed wages. Sector insiders said the actual number is likely much higher, as many migrants are unaware of the formal complaint process or seek informal settlements in rural areas.

Former Bangladesh ambassador to Saudi Arabia Golam Moshi warned that manipulation of Saudi Arabia's digital visa system by employers and agents has worsened since the Covid-19 pandemic.

He explained that Saudi Arabia operates a digital visa system where details such as sponsors and job categories can be verified online. However, some Saudi employers and local recruiting agents allegedly manipulate the information and offer misleading job descriptions.

"In many cases visas are issued for cleaners, helpers or loaders. But after reaching Saudi Arabia, workers find the promised job does not exist or they are assigned completely different work," he said.

According to him, stronger monitoring by the BMET and the Bangladesh mission in Riyadh is essential to prevent such problems. He warned that continued irregularities could prompt Saudi authorities to impose even stricter visa restrictions on Bangladeshi workers.

Local recruiters' money stuck amid Saudi drive

Recruiting agencies also face financial losses, having paid Saudi counterparts in advance for visas now cancelled. While stricter scrutiny may reduce fraudulent practices and migration costs, experts caution that the shift towards skilled labour under Saudi Arabia's Skill Verification Programme could reshape opportunities for Bangladeshi workers.

Fakhrul Islam, former joint secretary general of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies, said many agencies had already paid Saudi counterparts in advance for thousands of visas.

"Visa scrutiny has both positive and negative aspects," he said. "It will reduce the problems workers previously faced in securing jobs in Saudi Arabia, but agencies that paid for visas may lose substantial amounts of money after cancellations."

BMET officials say they are aware of the developments. Mizanur Rahman, deputy director of immigration at BMET, said recruiting agencies have already contacted the authorities regarding the visa complications.

"Our higher authorities will take steps to address the challenges faced by recruiters," he added.

'Migration costs may decrease if fake visas are controlled'

Migration experts said stricter verification by Saudi authorities could eventually reduce migration costs if fraudulent job demands are eliminated.

Shamim Ahmed Chowdhury Noman, former secretary general of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies, said so-called floating visas have long inflated migration expenses. "If Saudi Arabia truly cracks down on unnecessary job demands, it will help reduce migration costs," he said.

Currently Bangladeshi workers travelling to Saudi Arabia often pay between Tk300,000 and Tk500,000, although the government-fixed migration cost is Tk1,65,000.

Priority on skilled workers

Md Shahin Uddin, managing partner at Haifa International, said Saudi employers are now focusing more on skilled categories following incidents of fraud involving low-skilled visas.

"This will have a significant impact on source countries like Bangladesh," he said.

The shift is linked to Saudi Arabia's Skill Verification Programme, which requires workers to obtain certification in recognised trades before employment.

The programme was introduced in mid-2023 and initially covered five sectors, including plumbing, electrical work, welding, refrigeration and automobile electrical services.

Over the past two years the system has expanded to more than 70 trades and is expected to cover 73 occupations soon. Under the certification process, workers must register in the Takamol system, pass an online examination and obtain a skill certificate valid for five years.