Dhaka seeks Saudi visa extensions for stranded workers

Bangladesh is seeking visa extensions for migrant workers stranded by flight disruptions linked to security incidents at Saudi Arabian airports, while the aviation regulator has directed airlines to provide rebooking, refunds and essential assistance to affected passengers.

The disruptions have affected 9,674 passengers and 62 direct and transit flights, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). Of the affected flights, 23 were direct services and 39 were transit flights.

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque said on Tuesday that the government was holding bilateral discussions with Saudi Arabia to extend the visas of Bangladeshi workers so they could travel and join their workplaces.

Speaking to journalists after inaugurating a programme organized by the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka, he said negotiations had become difficult following the recent attacks in Riyadh.

“However, holding these discussions amidst this situation is difficult because they themselves are in the middle of a disaster. Nevertheless, I hope a solution will be reached,” he said.

The minister said arrangements had previously been made to allow workers to return to their jobs following visa extensions. The government is seeking a similar arrangement for those whose visas are nearing expiry.

Meanwhile, CAAB has directed airlines operating direct and transit flights to Saudi Arabia to promptly inform passengers about cancellations, delays and schedule changes and arrange rebooking, refunds and other necessary assistance.

In a press release issued on Monday, the authority advised passengers to confirm their flight status before travelling to the airport. Airlines must provide updates through SMS, phone calls, emails, websites and social media.

The directive, signed by Group Captain SM Ragib Samad, executive director of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, also requires airlines to provide seating, drinking water, meals and other essential support to passengers already at airports, with special attention to elderly people, children and persons with disabilities.

Airlines have also been instructed to designate focal points to coordinate passenger assistance with airport authorities. Travellers requiring visa extensions or immigration-related support should be directed to the relevant Saudi authorities and the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has suspended all Dhaka-Riyadh and Dhaka-Dammam flights until October 17, citing passenger safety concerns. Passengers needing urgent travel have been advised to consider Jeddah and Madinah as alternative gateways, subject to flight availability, and contact Biman sales centres for assistance.

The affected direct flights include nine operated by Biman, two by US-Bangla Airlines, five by Saudia and seven by Riyadh Air. Transit disruptions have also affected IndiGo, SalamAir, EgyptAir, Emirates, Qatar Airways and flydubai.

Nurul Haque said the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh was monitoring injured Bangladeshis, with the ambassador and senior officials visiting hospitals. Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries were cooperating in treating the injured and repatriating the bodies of those killed, he added.

Nearly 75 per cent of Bangladeshi migrant workers travel to the Middle East, with more than half heading to Saudi Arabia, the minister said.

CAAB has instructed airlines to implement the directives immediately and maintain close coordination with airport authorities to minimise passenger hardship amid the evolving security situation.