25,000 Saudi expatriates will need to take visas again
Some 25,000 Saudi expatriates staying in Bangladesh will have to procure visas again, said Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday.
Anyone who has jobs in Saudi Arabia but their visas have expired after coming to Bangladesh during coronavirus pandemic must get back to Saudi Arabia again with valid visas, he said.
Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen and Expatriate Welfare Minister Imran Ahmed sat in a gathering with the representatives of six Gulf countries and Malaysia on expatriates and labor issues.
Following the meeting, Momen told reporters that those whose visas had expired but who had jobs there would need to obtain visas renewed. The Saudi authorities have informed Dhaka that they can issue new visas.
Those who took visas in March last, cannot go back from then on but anyone who has sponsors (employers) may also need to take visas. About 25,000 expatriates will need to procure new visas, he said.
He also said the talks with the representatives of the countries were fruitful.
However, the foreign minister said there is "nothing to do" about those whose visas had expired and whose employers would no longer employ them.
He mentioned the quantity of such staff are 53 up to now and suggested them for alternative employers or any jobs in that country.
The minister also advised when planning on taking help from the fund of Tk 700 crore announced by the Prime Minister.
