Business Licenses in Bangladesh • LegalSeba Bangladesh

Your Gateway to Investing in Bangladesh

Navigating the complex landscape of business licenses in Bangladesh can be challenging. LegalSeba LLP offers comprehensive guidance on the necessary licenses and approvals required for business operations in the country, ensuring a smooth setup for your venture.

The Business Licensing Roadmap

We simplify the process into clear, manageable steps.

Phase 1: Company Formation

The initial phase involves legally establishing your company’s identity and structure in Bangladesh.

Name Clearance Certificate (RJSC)

Company Incorporation (RJSC)

Bank Account Opening

Company TIN

Phase 2: Investment & Operational Setup

Registering your investment and securing the primary licenses to begin operations.

BIDA Registration for Foreign Investment

Trade License

VAT Registration (BIN)

Membership of Chamber/Trade Body

Phase 3: Specific & Sectoral Licenses

Obtaining specialized permits based on your business activities, such as manufacturing, import/export, or factory operations.

Import/Export License (IRC/ERC)

Environment License

Fire License

Factory License (DIFE)

Bonded Warehouse License

Phase 4: Expatriate & Financial Approvals

Final steps for bringing in foreign personnel and managing international financial transactions.

Investor (PI) Visa

Work Permit for Foreign Nationals

Approval for Remittances (Dividends, etc.)

Winding up & Fund Repatriation

Comprehensive License Directory

Detailed requirements for each license a foreign investor may need in Bangladesh.

License/Permit Name	Issuing Authority	Key Documents & Prerequisites	Applicable Law	Processing Time & Renewal
Name Clearance Certificate	RJSC	Online application after opening an E-account on the RJSC Website Payment of fees after preliminary name search	Companies Act 1994	01-02 working days. Not required.
Incorporation of 100% foreign company	RJSC	Filled-in Form VI Notice of the address Filled in Form IX Director’s Consent Passport size photo of shareholders & Directors Photo ID and Passport Info page of Shareholders and Directors Foreign Currency Encashment Certificate Treasury Challan Permission from BIDA	Companies Act 1994	07-21 working days. Auto-renewed with returns.
Bank Account Opening	Scheduled Bank	One of the Directors must be physically present Foreign shareholders’ documents must be attested by the concerned Bangladeshi embassy All the Draft Company Incorporation Documents	-	5-10 working days.
Company Tax Identification Number (TIN)	National Board of Revenue	Contact Number & Email Incorporation number of the company Date of incorporation of the company Name of the authorised person Address of the Company Details of the JV Agreement	Income Tax Ordinance 1984	15-20 minutes.
Trade License for manufacturing firms	Dhaka North/South City Corporation	Application form, National ID Card Rent receipt or ownership proof Holding tax payment receipt Passport size photograph of the entrepreneur Declaration on non-judicial stamp NOC declaration from the locality, Location map Sketch of the factory/surroundings Fire License, Environment clearance License Memorandum & Articles of Association, Certificate of incorporation Work permit from BIDA, Statement of Bank Solvency, TIN Certificate	Dhaka City Corporation Ordinance 1983	10-20 working days. Yearly renewal.
BIDA Registration of Foreign Investment Project	BIDA	Forwarding letter, BIDA Application form (2 copies) Certificate of Incorporation, MOA & AOA, JV agreement (2 copies) List of Shareholders/Directors, Copy of Trade License, Copy of TIN Certificate List of Machineries (Local & Imported) Copy of land agreement/deed, Encashment certificate, Project profile NOC from BSCIC (if applicable), NOC from concerned Ministry (for controlled sector) Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) (for power plant) Pay order/Bank draft in favor of BIDA	BIDA Act 2016, Guideline 2011	1-2 weeks. Not required.
IRC (Import Registration Certificate)	CCI&E	Valid Trade License, Valid Membership Certificate from Chamber/Trade Association Financial solvency certificate from bank Citizenship Certificate, Treasury Challan Original, TIN Certificate Joint Venture Agreement, Certificate of Incorporation, MOA & AOA	Import Policy Order 2015-2018	1-2 weeks. Yearly renewal.
VAT Registration	National Board of Revenue	Valid Trade License, Import License Financial solvency certificate From bank Citizenship Certificate, Treasury Challan Original, TIN Certificate Joint Venture Agreement, Certificate of Incorporation, MOA & AOA BIDA Registration, Rent Agreement, List of Invoices and sorted product	VAT and Supplementary Duty Act 2012	2-3 weeks. Not required.
Environment License	Department of Environment	Application form-3, Prescribed fees Feasibility Report, IEE Report, ToR for EIA, or EIA Report Environmental Management Plan (EMP), Process Flow Diagram, Layout Plan No objection certificate (NOC) of local authority Emergency plan, Outline of relocation/rehabilitation plan	Environment Conservation Rules 1997	1-2 months. Yearly renewal.
Factory License & Layout Plan Approval	DIFE	Layout Plan: Trade License, Land Doc, NID, Soil Test, Structural Design, Load Bearing Cert, Building Construction Cert, Approved Building Plan. Factory Approval: Land docs, Site plan, Construction plan, Machine layout, Project Profile, Employee Organogram, Fire License, Environmental License.	As per ILO Convention	Max 2 months. Yearly renewal.
Fire License	Fire Service and Civil Defense	Filled in prescribed Application Form, Trade License Description of products and quantity, Annual value of warehouse Two copies of the layout plan of Fire Prevention system No-Objection Certificate from local representative Certificate of Incorporation, MOA & AOA, Name and address of Directors	-	2-4 months. Yearly renewal.
Membership of Chambers/Trade Body	Dhaka Chamber of Commerce etc.	Trade License, TIN, Bank Solvency Certificate MOA & AOA, Certificate of Incorporation Photograph & Visiting card of applicant, National ID / Passport IRC, VAT, BIDA Certificate, Work Permit, Bank pay order	The Trade Organization Ordinance 1961	1-2 weeks. Yearly Renewal.
Potential Investor (PI) Visa	BIDA & Bangladesh Embassy	Parent company’s MOA & AOA, Board resolution Photograph & Passport copy of investor, PI visa recommendation Appointment letter/contract, Description of activities List of local/foreign employees, Bank cert. of min. US$100k investment Updated income tax cert, Audited financial statement, BIDA registration Encashment certificate, Declaration of benefits	BIDA Act 2006, Guideline 2023	3 days for recommendation; 7 days for visa. Renewable.
Work Permit	BIDA	MOA & AOA, COI, Board resolution for employment Passport copy with E/PI visa, Service contract/appointment letter Copies of all academic/professional experience certificates Statement of manpower (local and expatriate) Up-to-date income tax clearance certificate of the company Encashment certificate of min. US$ 50,000 Visa Recommendation Letter	BIDA Act 2006, Guideline 2023	1-2 months. Renewable.
Winding up a company and fund repatriation	RJSC, Bangladesh Bank, NBR, BFIU	COI, MOA & AOA, Return of Allotment (Form-XV), Schedule-X Instrument of Transfer of Shares (Form-117), Encashment Cert. Import permit for shares against machinery, Share issuance intimation Latest audited financial statements, Special resolution for liquidation (Form VIII) Liquidator’s certificates, Tax clearance certificate, Police Clearance Cert. CIB report, List of non-resident shareholders, BFIU Clearance	Companies Act 1994, Income Tax Act 2023, etc.	Varies.
Remittance of dividends	Bangladesh Bank	Application (Appendix 5/75), Attested COI Audited Balance Sheet & P&L Account, Board resolution for dividend List of non-resident shareholders, Auditor's certificate on tax deduction Auditor’s certificate on tax provision sufficiency Final income tax assessment order, Undertaking for ineligible remittance	Guidelines for Foreign Exchange Transactions	1-2 weeks.
Export License (ERC)	CCI&E	Completed Application Form, Valid Trade License Partnership Deed or MOA & AOA, Chamber Membership Treasury Challan, eTIN Certificate, VAT registration (BIN) Bank Solvency Certificate, Office rent deed Two copies Photograph & NID/Passport of applicant	Import Policy Order 2015-2018	1-2 weeks. Yearly renewal.
Bonded Warehouse License	Customs Bond Commissionerate	Application on Standard Format, BIDA/BSCIS Registration Company TIN & wealth statement for all directors Trade License, Fire License, VAT Registration (BIN) Recommendation by business association, Boiler certificate MOA & AOA, COI, Purchase document for machinery Two copies of factory layout plan, Deed of land/space ownership Affidavit (Halafnama), Certificate from lien bank, License fee payment	-	2-3 months.

Note: This is a comprehensive guide. For advice tailored to your specific business, please contact us.

Visual Guide to Business Setup in Bangladesh

Follow the step-by-step process for your specific business type.

PROPRIETORSHIP & PARTNERSHIP

Obtain TIN Certificate from NBR

LIMITED COMPANY (LOCAL)

Apply to RJSC&F for Name Clearance (NC) and Company Formation

LIMITED COMPANY (FOREIGN)

Apply to RJSC&F for Name Clearance (NC)

Open an NRT Bank Account (Temporary)

Apply to RJSC&F for Company Formation

Obtain TIN Certificate from NBR

Obtain Trade License

Rent or Purchase Space for Setting up the Industry

Opening Bank Account

A. OBTAIN BIDA'S REGISTRATION IF LOCATED OUTSIDE BEZA, BEPZA, BHTPA, OR BSCIC

B. FOLLOW BEZA, BEPZA, BHTPA, OR BSCIC PROCEDURES IF LOCATED INSIDE BEZA, BEPZA, BHTPA, OR BSCIC

Obtain Fire License from FSCD

Obtain Environmental Clearance from DOE

Obtain Approval of Layout Plan from DIFE

Obtain VAT Registration from NBR

Obtain Membership of a Business/ Trade Body

Obtain NOC from the Ministry/ Division for Controlled Industries

Follow RAJUK/CDA/RDA processes for Building /Plant Construction Approval

Apply for BIDA's recommendation to get Ad Hoc IRC approval from CCI&E for importing capital machinery and/or raw material

Obtain Ad Hoc IRC approval from CCI&E

Import Capital Machinery and Raw Materials

START OPERATION

Why Choose LegalSeba.com?

As a leading law firm, LegalSeba.com offers precise guidance and assistance in securing the necessary licenses and approvals, helping your business thrive in an environment of growth and investment. Trust us to streamline your setup and ensure all legal requirements are met seamlessly.

Expert Consultation

We provide expert advice on eligibility criteria, documentation, and regulatory compliance, tailored to your specific needs.

Document Preparation

Our team assists in preparing and collecting all necessary documentation, ensuring that your application meets all legal requirements.

Application Management

We manage the entire application process, from submission to approval, ensuring meticulous adherence to all procedural steps.

Continuous Follow-up

We maintain regular communication with regulatory bodies to track the status of your application and promptly address any queries.

Inspection Preparation

We assist in preparing for regulatory inspections, ensuring that your infrastructure and operations comply with all standards.

Lobbying with Authorities

We facilitate effective communication with government authorities to streamline the registration process.

Get in Touch

For personalized assistance and more information on setting up your business in Bangladesh, contact us today.

Phone/WhatsApp: +8801753718223

Email: [email protected]

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Seamless Business Setup in Bangladesh