Last updated: 28 October 2026
Bangladeshi workers whose iqama expired while they were stuck at home because of cancelled flights will still be allowed to enter Saudi Arabia. Bangladesh’s Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister, Ariful Haque Choudhury, said on Monday 26 October that their entry will be processed automatically through the electronic system when they travel.
He made the announcement in Dhaka at a meeting with recruiting agencies, with the Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh, Abdullah ibn Dhafer ibn Ubayya, attending as guest of honour.
Who this covers
The relief is for Bangladeshi workers who were in Bangladesh and missed their return flights because of the war-related disruption, after the attacks on Saudi airports earlier this month. According to bdnews24, 146 flights from Dhaka had been cancelled or suspended as of Sunday, leaving 22,231 passengers stranded. The Business Standard puts the affected flights between 10 and 25 October.
Many of these workers watched their iqama run out while they waited for a seat. Under normal rules, an expired iqama or exit re-entry visa can block a worker from coming back, so the minister’s statement removes the biggest worry for thousands of families.
Follow Saudi Life Guide for Iqama, visa and job updates
New rules, fees and news as soon as we publish them. Join 83,500+ followers on Facebook.
What is still unclear
- We have not seen a separate public notice from Saudi Jawazat or the Ministry of Interior yet. The announcement so far comes from the Bangladesh side.
- No deadline has been given for how long after expiry a worker can still travel.
- The reports do not say whether an expired exit re-entry visa is covered in the same way, or only the iqama itself.
- It is not clear whether renewal fees or late fines will still be charged once the worker is back.
What Bangladeshi workers should do now
- Ask your employer to check your status on Muqeem before you book. Your employer can see whether your iqama and re-entry visa are still active and can renew them from Saudi Arabia. You can also check your iqama expiry date yourself.
- Book only on confirmed flights. Several airlines are still running reduced schedules. If your flight is cancelled again, keep the cancellation message: it is your proof that you could not travel. Our guide to cancelled flight rights in Saudi Arabia explains refunds and rebooking.
- Carry your documents. Take your passport, a copy of the expired iqama, your old ticket or cancellation proof and your employer’s contact details when you travel.
- Plan for the renewal. Once you are back, your employer will still need to renew the iqama. See the current iqama renewal fees so there are no surprises.
- Do not pay agents for a “special entry”. The minister said the process is automatic. Anyone asking for money to arrange it is likely running a scam.
Other help announced for Bangladeshi workers
In August 2026 Saudi Arabia also agreed that Bangladeshi workers can renew their iqama under a new employer if the original employer fails to renew it, as reported by Prothom Alo and BSS. At the same meeting, the minister urged recruiting agencies to cut migration costs, saying fees of Tk 7 to 8 lakh for jobs that should cost about Tk 3 lakh trap workers in debt.
We will update this page if Saudi Jawazat publishes its own instructions.
Sources: Bangladesh Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, as reported by The Business Standard, bdnews24 and Dhaka Tribune (26 October 2026).