State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Thursday said exactly 626 Bangladeshis – not 5,000 – have so far had their UAE visas automatically cancelled, adding that the government is working closely with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities to facilitate their renewal.

"Of the 626 affected Bangladeshis, details of 417 have already been submitted to the UAE authorities for visa renewal. Information on the remaining individuals is being processed and forwarded," she told reporters after an inter-ministerial meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The briefing was held jointly with State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Haque.

Shama said the issue is not unique to Bangladesh, noting that nationals of Nepal, Pakistan, Egypt and the Philippines have also faced visa cancellations for various reasons.

She added employers bear responsibility where visas have been cancelled following job termination, adding that the Bangladesh Embassy in the UAE is coordinating directly with the companies concerned to resolve the issue.

"We hope to achieve a positive outcome," she said, urging the media to report verified information.

Shama also urged Bangladeshi expatriates to respect the laws of their host countries, avoid unlawful activities and refrain from posting sensitive or political content on social media.

She said many migrant workers go abroad after making immense financial sacrifices, and the use of forged or fraudulent documents not only damages Bangladesh's reputation but also creates obstacles for those seeking to migrate legally.

The government will consider amending the relevant laws, if necessary, to impose stricter penalties for document forgery, she added.

Shama noted that migration costs from Bangladesh remain significantly higher than those of neighbouring countries such as Nepal. She said the government has taken steps to reduce migration costs and protect workers from fraudulent middlemen.

She also said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has, for the first time, established a dedicated Migration and NRB Affairs Wing to help curb illegal migration and human trafficking.