The government of Saudi Arabia has withdrawn its ban on issuing visas to Bangladeshi nationals for performing Umrah. The Ministry of Religious Affairs received a letter on Monday from Saudi Embassy in Dhaka which says ‘Umrah visa has been allocated to Bangladeshi nationals through Saudi Umrah agencies and companies applying for that’.
The letter was issued on December 14, said Anwar Hossain, public relations officer of the Religious Affairs Ministry.
He said as Bangladesh have taken action against 230 Hajj agencies for their involvement in human trafficking in the name of Umrah Hajj, the remaining 70 agencies can resume applying for Umrah visas for visitors.
Saudi Arabia imposed the ban on March 22 this year as they said many Bangladeshis staying in Saudi Arabia illegally after receiving Umrah visas.
