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Work permit/work visa

A work permit is mandatory for every foreign citizen seeking work in Bangladesh. Three government agencies issue work permits in Bangladesh.

1. For private sector industrial enterprises, branches and communication offices, outside the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) – Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
2. For employment of a foreign citizen in the EPZ – Bangladesh Export Zones Authority (BEPZA).
3. For employment of a foreigner in any NGO-Bureau for non – governmental organizations (NGOs).

A work permit is issued by BIDA

Private sector industrial enterprises, branches, communication offices/representative offices wishing to employ foreign citizens are required to apply to BIDA in accordance with the procedure established by them. When issuing a work permit BIDA usually follows the following guidelines:

• Only citizens of countries recognized by Bangladesh are considered for employment.
• Employment of foreign personnel is considered only at industrial/commercial enterprises that are authorized / registered by the relevant authority.
• Employment of foreign citizens is usually considered for work for which there are no local experts/technicians.
• People who are under the age of 18 aren’t eligible for work.
• In each specific case, a decision of the board of Directors of the relevant company on new employment/continuation of work is provided.
• The number of foreign employees should not exceed 5% in the industrial sector and 20% in the commercial sector of the total number of employees, including top management.
• First, the employment of any foreign citizen for one year is considered, which can be extended based on the validity of the case.
• A security permit is required from the Ministry of internal affairs.

BIDA permit issuance process:

Step 1: Publish the ad.

The employer is obliged to publish a job announcement in the newspaper or on the Internet. This requirement is not always mandatory.

Step 2: Apply for an e-visa recommendation

A local sponsor (liaison office/branch or local company) will contact BIDA online to issue an e-visa recommendation in favor of the desired foreign citizen. This application usually requires the following documents:

• A copy of the permission letter for the branch/contact/representative office or the foundation Agreement and the certificate of registration in the case of a local company.
• Resolution of the Employment Council of foreign citizens indicating the name, citizenship and passport number of the expatriate.
• Expatriate photo.
• Copy of the expatriate/investor/employee passport (fully used part).
• Appointment letter/transfer order/service agreement or agreement for expatriates/investors.
• Certificate of all academic qualifications and professional experience for employees.
• A paper clipping showing an ad made to hire local staff prior to expatriate appointments.
• Certificate of staff with a list of local and foreign employees indicating the position, salary distribution, nationality and date of first appointment. (Last copy).
• Certificate of internal transfer in the amount of at least 50,000 dollars USA as the initial cost of establishing a branch/communication/representative office and a local/joint venture and companies with 100% foreign ownership.
• Up-to-date certificate of income tax confirmation (organization).
• Add Company comments according to comments (if any)

Step 3: Apply for an e-visa at the relevant Bangladesh Embassy or High Commission

After BIDA issues a recommendation for obtaining an e-visa, a foreign citizen must apply for an e-visa at the relevant embassy or High Commission of Bangladesh.

Step 4: Apply for a work permit in Bangladesh

Within 15 days from the date of arrival of the foreigner, you must submit an application for a work permit to BIDA. In this regard, a fee of 5000 BDT is charged.

Step 5:

Once a work permit is issued by BIDA, a copy of the work permit will be sent to the Ministry of the interior for a security check from BIDA. After some verification, a security clearance will be issued.

Persons eligible for a work permit are:

• Expert / adviser/staff member / individual appointed to governmental / semi-governmental / Autonomous Bodies/Project and similar organizations in Bangladesh
• A person working for a local / foreign government / semi-government/employee/industrial / commercial organization or other equivalent organizations in Bangladesh
• People appointed to a position in a local/foreign government/semi-government contracting vessel and in an equivalent organization in Bangladesh
• A person who intends to perform an honorary job (without a salary) with registered NGOs in Bangladesh.

A work permit/employment visa can be issued for a maximum of three months with a single, double or multiple entry. The duration of stay in this category is a maximum of 90 days per visit.

An extension of up to three years can be obtained from the Department of Immigration and passport (DIP) in Bangladesh.

Please note that the visa validity period starts from the date of issue, and not from the date of travel specified in your application form.

Required documents: 

• A printed copy of the duly completed online visa application form and signed accordingly;
• Recent passport-sized color photo - 2 (two) copies on a white background;
• Original passport (valid for at least six months) with a photocopy of the photo page;
• A letter from an employer from Bangladesh indicating the applicant's position in the organization.
• Appointment letter and contract documents with full terms and conditions, including salary details.
• Letter of recommendation from the Ministry of Bangladesh/BOI (Investment Council)/BEPZA (Bangladesh Export Processing Zone).

Visa fee

Investment visa

The main purpose of an investment visa is to allow its holder to hold and attend business meetings.

The investment visa is valid for one year at first, but you can extend it to five years later. The maximum period of stay for visiting with an investment visa is three months.

Also note that if you have a permanent investment of 5 million dollars in Bangladesh, you will get the "no visa required" benefit.

When submitting your application, the following documents are required:

• A printed copy of a duly completed online visa application and signed accordingly;
• Last passport-sized color photo - 2 (two) copies with a white background;
• Original passport (valid for at least six months) with a photocopy of the photo page;
• Letter of recommendation from BOI/BEPZA