Overseas work remains a lifeline for millions of Bangladeshi families, and 2026 has brought some fresh openings alongside old hurdles. Here is where things stand for job seekers.
Oman Plans To Hire 10,000 Bangladeshi Workers
The biggest recent news comes from Oman. Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs said Oman wants to recruit 5,000 farmers and 5,000 fishermen, 10,000 people in total, and that an agreement has been signed.
An Omani government delegation is expected to visit Bangladesh next month to finalise the details. Workers should note that visa restrictions remain a major obstacle, and the exact date for resuming recruitment has not been confirmed.
Saudi Arabia Is Still The Biggest Market
Saudi Arabia continues to dominate. Between February 17 and August 17, 333,427 workers left Bangladesh, and 50.87 per cent of them went to Saudi Arabia. However, employers are becoming more selective.
Recruiters say Saudi employers now focus more on skilled categories after fraud involving low-skilled visas. In simple terms, a trade certificate or verified skill now counts for much more than before.
UAE, Kuwait And Malaysia Are Reopening Slowly
Other Gulf and Asian markets are also on the radar. The government has taken steps to reopen labour markets in Malaysia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait after prolonged closures. Progress is uneven, though.
Efforts to reopen Malaysia have yet to bear fruit, and none of the eight new markets the government is exploring has opened in any meaningful way. Job seekers should treat these countries as possible future options and not count on them yet.
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Skills Matter More Than Ever
Dhaka is trying to build trust with foreign employers. The government plans a Skill Verification Programme to verify workers’ skills, experience and certifications, along with a Smart Skill Bank, a database of verified workers.
Better training and language ability will help workers stand out in every destination.
How To Stay Safe While Applying
Use only licensed recruiting agencies and check details through official channels. The government says the migration process has been fully digitised through the Overseas Employment Platform.
Be careful with middlemen who charge unofficial fees, since unregulated fees often push migrant families into debt. Never pay for a visa that has not been confirmed.
Oman’s visit next month and the rollout of skill verification are the two developments to watch. Until formal announcements arrive, workers should keep documents ready, build a recognised skill, and follow updates from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET).
FAQs
Is Oman hiring Bangladeshi workers now?
An agreement covering 10,000 farmers and fishermen has been signed, but the recruitment start date is not yet confirmed.
Which country hires the most Bangladeshis?
Saudi Arabia, which took more than half of all overseas workers in the latest six-month period.
Are UAE and Malaysia open for new workers?
Steps to reopen have started, but meaningful recruitment has not resumed yet.
Summary: Oman has signed a deal to hire 10,000 Bangladeshi farmers and fishermen, while Saudi Arabia still takes over half of all workers. Here is where Bangladeshis can look for overseas jobs in 2026, including UAE, Kuwait and Malaysia, and what skills employers want.
