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Saudi Arabia has issued 14 lakh visas for Bangladeshi nationals in 2025, including 750,000 work visas, the Saudi Ambassador to Dhaka has revealed the information during a meeting with Bangladesh's Foreign Minister.
Ambassador Dr Abdullah Jafar H bin Abia shared the figures on Sunday during a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ambassador noted that ongoing development projects across Saudi Arabia are creating significant employment opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled workers from Bangladesh.
Welcoming the ambassador, Dr Khalilur Rahman described Saudi Arabia as a trusted and longstanding partner of Bangladesh.
He recalled that diplomatic ties between the two nations were formally established during the presidency of Ziaur Rahman, with the opening of the Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia in 1976. President Zia also undertook a historic visit to the kingdom in 1977, and both sides acknowledged his contributions to promoting Muslim unity.
The foreign minister praised Saudi Arabia's leadership role in fostering peace and stability across the Middle East and the broader Muslim Ummah.
He expressed gratitude for the kingdom's continued willingness to employ a large number of Bangladeshi workers and highlighted the potential for expanded cooperation in trade, investment, energy and other priority sectors, leveraging the geostrategic positions of both countries.
Dr Rahman also recalled Saudi Arabia's assistance in facilitating the repatriation of nearly 200,000 Rohingya refugees in 1979 at the request of President Ziaur Rahman.
He praised the kingdom's ongoing humanitarian support for approximately 1.2 million Rohingya refugees sheltering in Bangladesh and sought Saudi backing for their sustainable repatriation to Myanmar.
The Saudi ambassador expressed support for the current government and conveyed his desire to work closely with Dhaka to elevate the bilateral relationship into a broader and more comprehensive partnership.
During the visit, the ambassador also met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obayed Islam.
The state minister praised the reform initiatives led by the Saudi Crown Prince under the Vision 2030 framework. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing bilateral ties in areas of mutual interest.
