# Bangladesh Consulate Opens UAE Amnesty Help Desk at Al Awir
The Bangladesh Consulate General in Dubai has launched a dedicated Bangladesh Help Desk at the GDRFA's Al Awir immigration centre to support Bangladeshi nationals seeking relief under the UAE visa amnesty program. The help desk began operations on September 5, 2024, just days after the UAE's two-month amnesty window opened on September 1.
Consul General Visits Al Awir Amnesty Centre
On September 5, 2024, Consul General BM Jamal Hossain, accompanied by senior consulate officials including Counselor for Labour Affairs Md. Abdus Salam and Counselor for Passport and Visa Mohammad Kazi Faisal, visited the Al Awir immigration centre to assess the services being provided to amnesty seekers.
During the visit, Hossain called on Lt. Gen. Mohammad Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), and thanked him for the support extended to the expatriate Bangladeshi community.
Al Marri urged Bangladeshi nationals to act without delay. "Take the opportunity of amnesty as soon as possible," he said, advising community members to bring all necessary documentation when visiting the centre.
Help Desk Connects Seekers With Jobs
Beyond offering immigration guidance, the Bangladesh Help Desk serves as a bridge to new employment. Consul General Hossain met with delegates from 18 organizations that are directly providing jobs to amnesty seekers at the Al Awir centre, with the goal of helping Bangladeshi nationals secure work during their transition.
The help desk is designed to make the entire process straightforward and efficient — guiding applicants through documentation requirements, amnesty procedures, and available job opportunities in a single location.
UAE Visa Amnesty 2024: What Bangladeshis Need to Know
The UAE's visa amnesty program, which launched September 1, 2024, gives foreign nationals with irregular immigration status the chance to either regularize their residency or depart the country without facing fines or penalties. The program is particularly significant for the large Bangladeshi expatriate community in the UAE.
The Bangladesh Consulate's establishment of a dedicated help desk at Al Awir reflects the scale of demand from Bangladeshi nationals and the consulate's commitment to ensuring every eligible national can access the amnesty program effectively.
