This guide outlines the procedure for securing a work permit for foreign nationals intending to work in Bangladesh, primarily focusing on the process managed by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). The responsibility for initiating and managing the application predominantly rests with the employer based in Bangladesh.
Important Considerations:
- Companies situated within Export Processing Zones (EPZs) must direct their applications to the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA).
- Entities operating in Economic Zones (EZs) should apply through the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA).
- While the core process is similar, specific documentation requirements and processing times may differ slightly among BIDA, BEPZA, and BEZA.
- Foreign nationals seeking employment with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) require an N-Visa and must follow a distinct process involving the NGO Affairs Bureau. This guide does not cover the NGO process.
Process Overview Diagram#
Step-by-Step Process#
Step 1: Publication of Job Advertisement#
- Employer Eligibility: The employing company must be authorised to hire foreign nationals. Generally, a local-to-foreign employee ratio must be maintained (for a commercial entity, 5:1). Furthermore, companies with foreign shareholders must show that they have brought in a minimum of US$ 50,000 as investment.
- Local Recruitment Effort (Justification): The employer typically needs to demonstrate that efforts were made to recruit a suitable Bangladeshi national for the position. This often involves publishing advertisements in local newspapers or recognised online job portals. Evidence of this advertisement will be required later.
Step 2: Employer Applies for E-Visa Recommendation (Pre-Approval)#
Before the foreign national applies for their visa, the employer must secure an E-Visa Recommendation Letter from BIDA. Applications are submitted electronically via BIDA’s One Stop Service (OSS) portal.
- Key Documents Required from Employer:
- Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum of Association (MoA), and Articles of Association (AoA).
- Valid Trade Licence.
- Company’s Tax Identification Number (TIN) certificate and proof of up-to-date tax payment.
- Board Resolution confirming the decision to appoint the foreign national (stating name, nationality, passport number).
- Justification for hiring a foreign national, including evidence of local advertisement (e.g., newspaper clippings/online ad proof).
- Manpower Statement (list of current local and foreign employees).
- Copy of the foreign national’s passport (valid for at least six months).
- Passport-size photographs of the foreign national.
- Copy of the employment contract/appointment letter.
- Copies of the foreign national’s academic and professional certificates/credentials.
- For Branch/Liaison offices and companies with foreign shareholders: proof of inward remittance (e.g., minimum US$50,000).
Step 3: Employee Applies for Employment (E) Visa#
Upon receiving the E-Visa Recommendation Letter, the foreign national applies for an Employment (E) Visa (or potentially a PI Visa for investors listed as shareholders) at the Bangladesh Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate in their country of residence.
- Key Documents Required from Employee (usually vary from embassy to embassy):
- Completed visa application form (printed after online submission).
- Original Passport (with at least six months validity).
- Recent passport-size photographs (meeting specific requirements).
- The E-Visa Recommendation Letter obtained by the employer (Step 2).
- Appointment Letter/Employment Contract from the Bangladeshi employer.
- Proof of visa fee payment (fees vary; check with the specific embassy/consulate).
- Other documents as requested by the embassy/consulate (e.g., proof of accommodation, flight details, academic certificates).
- An interview or biometric data submission may be necessary.
Step 4: Travel to Bangladesh#
Once the E-Visa (or relevant visa type) is issued and affixed to the passport, the foreign national can travel to Bangladesh. Crucially, entry must be made using the correct E-type visa.
Step 5: Employer Applies for the Work Permit#
- Within 15 days of the foreign national’s arrival in Bangladesh on the E-visa, the employer must submit the formal Work Permit application to BIDA via the OSS portal.
- Key Documents Required:
- Prescribed work permit application form.
- Copies of many documents submitted in Step 2 (often requiring attestation by company directors).
- Copy of the employee’s passport pages showing the valid E-Visa and the Bangladesh arrival stamp.
- Recent passport-size photographs of the employee.
- Proof of payment for the work permit application fee (e.g., BDT 10,000 per year for BIDA, payable via Treasury Chalan or online methods).
- Updated Manpower Statement.
- Company’s updated tax clearance certificate.
Step 6: Issuance of Work Permit#
Following application approval by the authority (often involving an inter-ministerial committee review) and receipt of positive security clearance, the official Work Permit is issued. Work permits are typically granted for an initial period of one year.
Step 7: Security Clearance#
BIDA forwards the application details to the Ministry of Home Affairs (Security Services Division) for mandatory security clearance. This process runs concurrently with the authority’s review of the work permit application.
Step 8: VISA Extension#
Once the security clearance is issued, the employer needs to apply for the visa extension to the passport office. Usually, the visa is extended for 1 year. If the security clearance takes time, it is possible to seek a visa extension. However, in such cases, the extension will be for a limited period.
Timelines (Indicative)#
- E-Visa Recommendation: BIDA OSS aims for quick processing (potentially 1 day for straightforward cases), but reviews can extend this to 1-2 weeks.
- E-Visa Processing: Highly variable depending on the specific embassy/consulate; allow 1-3 weeks typically.
- Work Permit Processing (Post-Arrival): BIDA targets approximately 16 working days via OSS, contingent on committee approvals and security clearance timelines. BEPZA/BEZA processes might take longer (e.g., 30-45 days). Delays are possible due to incomplete documentation or extended security checks.
Renewal#
The employer is responsible for applying for work permit renewal before the current permit expires. Renewal applications typically require updated company documentation (tax clearance, trade licence), the employee’s income tax return submission proof for the previous assessment year, and confirmation of continued employment.
For assistance with obtaining work permits or navigating foreign employment regulations in Bangladesh, please contact:
- Ariful Hasan
- Phone: +8801975603559
- Email: [email protected]
- Osman Goni
- Phone: +8801715569498
- Email: [email protected]