On March 20, 2023, I had the opportunity to meet a Bangladeshi woman who had traveled to Dubai on a tourist visa. She shared with me her journey, which was full of challenges and determination. Coming from a middle-class family in Bangladesh, she had high hopes of building a better future for herself. With her background as a Sales Manager in Bangladesh, she believed Dubai would be the perfect place to continue her career.
When she arrived in Dubai, she immediately began looking for a job, aiming to secure a position similar to the one she held in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, the road to employment wasn’t as straightforward as she had anticipated. The first setback she faced was a scam. She had been offered a Sales Manager position, and during the interview, the recruiter asked her to pay 500 AED upfront in exchange for the job. Trusting the process, she paid the amount, only to realize later that she had been scammed—the job offer vanished, and so did the recruiter.
This wasn’t the end of her troubles. She was then targeted by a visa scammer. In need of a work visa to stay in the country, she paid an additional 1000 AED to this individual for a visit visa. Unfortunately, the system here is not easy, and she ended up having to go through two separate visit visas before she finally found a legitimate job.
During our conversation, she explained that the job market in Dubai has become incredibly tough. According to her, it’s not uncommon for people to need two or three visit visas before they can secure a job. It’s a costly and time-consuming process that leaves many job seekers vulnerable to scams and exploitation.
Despite these setbacks, she didn’t give up. After a period of struggle and frustration, she eventually found a job. Her story was a powerful reminder of the resilience it takes to chase a dream, especially when faced with challenges that seem insurmountable. She is now settled in Dubai, but the journey to get there wasn’t easy.
Her experience highlights the difficulties that many migrant workers face in Dubai’s competitive job market, where the promise of success often comes with hurdles like scams and visa issues. It’s clear that the road to stability in the UAE is not always straightforward, and many people end up paying a heavy price—both financially and emotionally—in the pursuit of better opportunities.
What stood out to me the most was her determination and persistence in the face of adversity. Despite being caught in scams and facing multiple setbacks, she didn’t give up. Her journey is one of resilience, and a reminder of the courage that so many people bring with them when they seek better opportunities abroad.
