Mohammed Shahin is a 27-year-old unemployed youth from Pokkhali Union, Eigaon Upazila, Cox’s Bazar. Due to financial difficulties, he could not continue his education beyond primary school. His story was collected on 12 January 2025 by Abdul Wahab Shimu, a Social Mobilizer from the PROTTYASHI SIMS project.
Before the intervention, Shahin was an unemployed youth, occasionally earning through day labour. His dream was to go abroad and achieve financial stability for his family. Shahin’s father, Md. Saber Ahamed, supported his son’s dream and began discussing with relatives who had migrated abroad. In late November 2024, Shahin’s elder brother informed the family about a man offering free visas for Saudi Arabia. Shahin’s father, excited about the possibility, spoke with this man and learned that many people were traveling through this so-called “free visa” offer. Shahin, encouraged by this news, was hopeful.
They faced several risks, including the potential for exploitation through unsafe and fraudulent migration. Shahin was unaware of the dangers and the illegal nature of the “free visa,” which could have left him vulnerable to exploitation. Socio-economic barriers also played a role, as the family struggled financially and lacked knowledge of safe migration procedures. However, before proceeding, Shahin’s father went to take advice from a local Union Parishad Member. When Shahin’s father was referred to the PROTTYASHI SIMS project by the local Union Parishad Member, he met with SIMS project’s field staff and informed about his son. Then Shahin was invited to a PDMO on 8 December 2024, Shahin attended the PDMO session organized by the SIMS project. Here, he learned important information about the risks of fake visas, and the necessary steps for safe migration, including BMET registration, visa checking, medical screening, and employment contract verification. This session helped Shahin realize the dangers of the “free visa”. As a result of the PDMO session, Shahin decided to reject the fake visa option and informed his father. He also shared the information he learned, and his father understood the importance of trying for a legal visa. Shortly thereafter, Shahin’s family managed to secure a legal working visa for Shahin to work in a hotel in Saudi Arabia. So Shahin worked at a local hotel for 20 days to prepare own for the departure. On 10 January 2025, Shahin left for Saudi Arabia on a legal working visa. Through the intervention, Shahin avoided the risk of falling into a trafficking or exploitation trap by rejecting the fake visa. He successfully obtained a legal working visa and followed the necessary steps for safe migration, ensuring his safety and security. Shahin’s life was transformed through the intervention. He moved towards economic stability by securing a legal job abroad. His family was relieved that he was no longer at risk of exploitation. Shahin now has the opportunity to work in a hotel in Saudi Arabia, ensuring both his and his family’s financial well-being. Shahin shared “PROTTYASHI SIMS’s project aware me about safe migration and giving me proper information of VISA processing and skill development including language skill, otherwise, I would have fallen into the trap of the free VISA which is frequently uses in our village. This PDMO Orientation open my eyes and finally, I reached abroad with the right visa in Saudi Arabia, and I’m grateful to SIMS project for helping me to achieve my dream
