Dubai: Authorities in the UAE have stopped issuing all kinds of entry permits for Bangladeshi passport holders because of security concerns over identification and fake documents.
Major General Nasser Al Awadi Al Menhali, Assistant Undersecretary for Naturalisation and Residency and Ports Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, told Gulf News the suspension of issuing visas is not permanent and is not a ban.
He said the situation will return to normal once a number of issues are resolved by the government of Bangladesh.
For the time being, Major General Al Menhali confirmed there will be no new visit visas, resident visas, tourist visas or any other kind of visa for Bangladeshi nationals.
Current Bangladeshi visa holders in the UAE will not face any difficulties in extending their visa or renewing residency permits.
“We are not issuing any new visas to Bangladeshis but we are renewing for those who already have residence visas.
“Other than that, no one will be issued any new visa of any kind,” said Maj Gen Al Menhali.
He said the step was taken recently but did not specify when the restrictions would be lifted.
He also explained the UAE is concerned over the validity of the passports.
Gulf News learnt that there are thousands of cases of Bangladeshi people caught trying to enter the country with forged passports.
Weeks before the visa suspension, hundreds of Bangladeshis were arrested for entering the country with illegal documents.
Many were found carrying forged passsports and forged visas.
Meanwhile, a Bangladeshi father told Gulf News his 14-year-old son has been denied entrance to a Dubai school because of visa issues.
Mahfuz Ali Qaderi, who works as an investor in Dubai said: “When I decided to start a business here, at the same time I wanted to admit my 14-year-old son in Dubai.”
He said in July this year the school authority confirmed his son’s admission after interviewing the student who was here on a visit visa.
The father said that the school confirmed the admission of his son.
“As per the confirmation letter of the school, I took all necessary steps and paid accordingly.
“Based on that my son got the transfer certificate and I collected a visit visa for him to attend the school,” Qaderi said.
Qaderi said his son had been attending the school in Dubai since September this year.
“My son is still on a visit visa and the school authority preceded his visa as a student of the school.
“But on the 25th they were informed by the Tecom authority that all Bangladeshi visas are stopped and that they cannot proceed with it,” he said.
The confused father tried to contact the authorities to clarify the issue and understand the rules of UAE.
But he has as yet been unable to get an answer.
