Business visa
All foreign citizens, with the exception of holders of Israeli passports, have the right to apply for a business visa to Bangladesh. The purpose of the visit must be related to trade, commerce, or investment
A business visa also requires an individual and a corporate sponsor. You must provide invitation letters from a recognized business organization and local sponsor from Bangladesh.
Requirements for obtaining a business visa
To successfully obtain a business visa to Bangladesh, you must submit the necessary documents. These documents include:
- Printed copy of the completed visa application form (signed accordingly)
- Latest passport-sized photo
- Original passport (must be valid for at least six months)
- Invitation letter from Bangladesh
- Letter from the relevant business organization (with the applicant's employment status and the purpose of the visit to Bangladesh)
What activities are allowed with a business visa?
The main limitation of a business visa is that you aren’t allowed to work or apply for a job in Bangladesh. However, you can use your business visa for various activities, such as:
- Meeting with potential business partners or partners
- Conducting feasibility studies
- Creating a company
- Visit places to start a business
A 30-day visa on arrival also allows you to enter Bangladesh to perform official duties or do business, if you have an invitation letter. However, unlike an on-arrival visa, a business visa is multiple-entry.
How do I apply for a business visa to Bangladesh?
Getting a business visa is one of the easiest ways to stay and do business in Bangladesh.
To obtain a business visa, you must submit an application together with a letter of recommendation or certificate. It must come from local or foreign sponsors and business chambers, or from the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
The standard application time usually takes a maximum of seven business days. You can get a visa at the nearest foreign embassy in Bangladesh.
Research visa
Who is eligible to apply
A person participating in a Research/Training/Internship Program at any government-approved institution/organization in Bangladesh is eligible to apply for a research visa.
Duration of the research visa
A research visa can be issued for a maximum of three months with single, double or multiple entry. The duration of stay in this category is a maximum of 90 days during each visit.
Visa extension
An extension of up to three years can be obtained from the Bangladesh Department of Immigration and passports (DIP).
Required documents:
- 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 page with the photo;
- Letters from the relevant institution on both sides
- Consent letter from the Ministry of concern in Bangladesh
Journalistic visa
Who is eligible to apply
An individual who is a foreign journalist of newspapers/magazines/TV or radio networks/news agencies/representatives of print, electronic or satellite media/independent journalist and wants to visit Bangladesh for the purpose of collecting information / news or official duties has the right to apply for a journalistic visa.
Validity period of a journalistic visa
A journalist visa can be issued for a maximum of one month with single/double/ multiple entry. The length of stay in this category meets the requirements of each visit.
Visa extension
An extension of up to three years can be obtained from the Bangladesh Department of Immigration and passports (DIP).
Required documents:
- A printed copy of a duly completed online visa application and signed accordingly;
- Last passport-sized color photo - 2 copies with a white background;
- Original passport (valid for at least six months) with a photocopy of the page with the photo;
- Completed form FF-I, FF-II and equipment list form with signature.
- Invitation letter from the concern to Bangladesh
- Declaration letter with a description of the shooting goal (storyline), shooting location, and rough shooting schedule
- Letter from the organization/Media where the applicant currently works.
NGO visa:
Persons appointed to NGOs registered in Bangladesh will be eligible for an NGO visa for Employment/Service. To obtain an NGO visa, you will need the following documents:
- Letter of appointment of the relevant NGO to Bangladesh, which must be duly certified by the NGO Bureau, Dhaka;
- Letter from the current employer to which the applicant belongs;
- Letter of recommendation from NGO Bureau Affairs Dhaka.
- 2 recent color photos (2 inches and 2 cm x 2 cm stamp size) with white background
- Copy of the hotel reservation.
- Copy of the ticket.
- Copy of the previous visa.
- A valid passport with a validity period of 6 (six) months.
- A letter of assignment if the applicant cannot submit it in person.
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.
- For private sector industrial enterprises, branches and communication offices, outside the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) – Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
- For employment of a foreign citizen in the EPZ – Bangladesh Export Zones Authority (BEPZA).
- 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
Bangladesh