Momen: Saudi Arabia decides to extend visas, renew iqamas for Bangladeshi expats

Saudi Arabia has decided to extend the visas of expatriate Bangladeshis who could not return to the kingdom due to flight disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told Dhaka Tribune on Wednesday evening.

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Riyadh had also decided to renew iqamas (residence permits) for the Bangladeshis, he said.

At the same time, the foreign minister revealed that the Bangladesh government would allow as many flights as possible by Saudi Arabian carriers in order to facilitate the return of the Bangladeshi migrant workers.

He added that Saudi Arabia too would allow Bangladesh’s carriers to operate flights to and from the kingdom.

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“The Bangladesh ambassador in Riyadh called me before evening to inform me that the Saudi government would extend the visas of the Bangladeshi expatriates now living in the country,” Foreign Minister Dr Momen told this correspondent.

“He (the ambassador) also said that the renewal of iqamas will be ensured if the Bangladeshis can reach Saudi Arabia within the remaining 24 days of the Hijri month of Safar,” he said.

Dr Momen said, “We have decided to allow flights by Saudi carriers to and from Bangladesh so that our expatriates can quickly return to the kingdom.”

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In answer to a question, he said that the Saudi carriers would be able to operate as many flights as possible.

Saudi Arabia would also permit Bangladeshi flights to be operated to and from the kingdom, he added.