UAE Visa for Bangladeshi Nationals — Complete Guide 2026
Bangladeshi nationals form one of the largest expatriate communities in UAE, primarily in construction, logistics, hospitality, and retail. Understanding UAE visa options for Bangladeshi nationals in 2026 is essential for both employers and prospective employees.
In this guide:
UAE Employment Visa for Bangladeshi Nationals
- Work permit category: Bangladeshi workers are primarily employed in semi-skilled and unskilled categories; UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) governs work permit issuance
- Approved occupations: Bangladesh Labour Ministry maintains a list of approved occupations for UAE-bound workers; workers must register through official Bangladesh recruiting agencies
- Recruitment process: UAE employer applies for work permit through MOHRE → MOHRE issues approval → worker applies for entry permit at UAE embassy in Bangladesh → medical fitness in Bangladesh → travel to UAE → change of status to work permit
- BMET registration: Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) in Bangladesh must clear workers for UAE employment; overseas employment certificate required
UAE Tourism Visa for Bangladeshi Nationals
- Visa on arrival: Bangladeshi nationals do NOT get UAE visa on arrival; prior visa required
- UAE tourist visa: apply through UAE embassy in Dhaka or through an authorised UAE travel agent; 30 or 60 day tourist visa; single entry or multiple entry
- Online tourist visa: apply via Emirates, Flydubai, or Air Arabia websites; 30-day tourist visa; AED 200-400 depending on duration and type
- Requirements: passport (6 months+ validity); bank statement; employment letter; confirmed return ticket; hotel booking or sponsor letter
UAE Investor and Freelancer Visa for Bangladeshi Nationals
- Business owners: Bangladeshi entrepreneurs can set up UAE free zone companies and get investor visas; same process as any other nationality; no restriction on Bangladeshi ownership of UAE companies
- Skilled professionals: Bangladeshi IT professionals, engineers, doctors can apply for UAE work permits in professional categories; employer sponsorship required
- Freelancer permit: Bangladeshi nationals can get UAE freelancer permits (Shams, IFZA, UAQ); 2-year UAE residence visa included
UAE Skills and Blue-Collar Worker Process
- Official recruitment: only use BMET-registered recruitment agencies; illegal recruitment is rampant and puts workers at risk of UAE visa fraud
- UAE worker protections: UAE Labour Law protects all workers regardless of nationality; workers have right to report employer violations to MOHRE
- Wage Protection System: UAE WPS tracks salary payments; unpaid wages are a labour violation that employers can be penalised for
- End-of-service gratuity: all UAE employees (including Bangladeshi) are entitled to gratuity on completion of 1+ year; 21 days basic salary per year of service