Sending Money Abroad from Bangladesh: The Official Guide (2025 Rules)
Your complete guide to Bangladesh Bank's foreign exchange regulations for outward remittances. This page covers all current rules based on FE Circular No. 37, valid until September 29, 2026.
Annual Foreign Remittance Limits at a Glance
This chart provides a quick comparison of the maximum amounts of foreign currency that can be sent abroad annually for common purposes. To understand the full process of how to transfer money internationally from Bangladesh, use the category tabs below for detailed rules and conditions.
📚 Outward Remittance for Education from Bangladesh
If you need to send money from Bangladesh for educational purposes, the central bank has set clear guidelines. Funds can be remitted for students studying abroad to cover academic and living costs. Ensure you have the necessary documentation from the educational institution to facilitate the foreign exchange transaction.
Tuition and Other Academic Fees
You can remit the actual amount as specified in the demand note or estimate from the foreign educational institution. There is no upper cap, provided the costs are officially documented.
Student Living Expenses
The limit for living expenses is up to USD 2,000 per month. This can be increased by up to 50% for specific high-cost countries or cities, provided there is proof from the institution or a relevant public authority.
One-Time Incidental Expenses
For newly admitted students preparing to leave Bangladesh, a one-time remittance of up to USD 1,000 is allowed for incidental expenses before their departure.
🩺 Sending Money for Medical Treatment Abroad
The regulations allow outward remittances for medical treatment in foreign countries. To transfer money for this purpose, you will need recommendations from local medical specialists and official cost estimates from the overseas medical institution.
Initial Remittance for Medical Care
An initial amount of up to USD 10,000 can be remitted based on the recommendation of a specialist doctor in Bangladesh or a local medical board.
Further Remittances for Ongoing Treatment
Additional funds can be sent based on the official estimate provided by the foreign hospital or medical institution where the treatment will take place. This requires submitting the documents to your bank.
✈️ Bangladesh Travel Quota: Foreign Currency Rules
Individuals are entitled to a foreign exchange quota for personal and business travel, known as the travel quota. These outward remittance quotas are per person, per calendar year and must be endorsed in your passport by an Authorized Dealer bank.
Personal Travel Quota
The annual personal travel quota is up to USD 12,000 per adult. For minors (under 12 years of age), the limit is half of the adult entitlement.
Business Travel Quota
The limits for business travel from Bangladesh vary by destination:
- SAARC Countries & Myanmar: Up to USD 5,000 per trip.
- Other Countries: Up to USD 7,000 per trip.
- Special quotas also exist for exporters, importers, and other business entities based on their performance and specific business needs.
💻 IT & Software Service Payments from Bangladesh
To support the growing technology sector, Bangladesh Bank allows outward remittances for various IT-related services and products. These limits are per entity, per year, and facilitate international business for tech companies.
Membership/Certification Fees
Remit up to USD 10,000 per year for international IT association memberships and professional certifications.
Domain Registration & Hosting
Send up to USD 300 per year for each international domain registration or web hosting plan.
Server Maintenance Fees
Up to USD 2,000 per year can be remitted for maintaining servers located abroad.
Software License & Subscription
Transfer up to USD 10,000 per year for purchasing or renewing software licenses and subscriptions from foreign vendors.
🏢 Company & Corporate Foreign Transactions
This section outlines the rules for sending money abroad for various operational needs of companies in Bangladesh. This includes remittances for training, testing, and other business services. Proper documentation like pro-forma invoices is always required.
Employee Training & Study Tours
Companies can send up to USD 10,000 per person per year for employee training programs and study tours abroad.
Product Testing & Quality Control Fees
Up to USD 20,000 per year can be remitted for product testing and quality control services from foreign labs.
Information & News Agency Services
Remittance for services from international news agencies, credit rating agencies, etc., is allowed based on official demand notes.
Exporter's Retention Quota (ERQ) Account
Exporters in Bangladesh can hold a percentage of their repatriated export earnings in a foreign currency account (ERQ). These funds can be freely used for bonafide business purposes like business travel, international market promotion, and import of raw materials.
Bank Guarantees & Tender Fees
Remittance for participating in international tenders (e.g., tender guarantees or performance bonds) is permitted, usually requiring a back-to-back guarantee from a local bank.
Government & Semi-Government Dues
Payments for government or semi-government organizations abroad are allowed with supporting official documents.
💼 Remittance for Professional & Service Fees
The Bangladesh Bank allows payments for international services like royalties, technical assistance, and franchise fees. These remittances are typically calculated as a percentage of business metrics and may require prior central bank approval for large amounts.
Royalty & Technical Know-how/Assistance Fees
The total outward remittance for these fees is capped based on the company's operational stage:
- Pre-Commercial Operation: Up to 6% of the Cost & Freight (C&F) value of imported machinery.
- Post-Commercial Operation: Up to 6% of the previous year's sales as declared in tax returns (excluding VAT).
Franchise Fees
For total fees exceeding USD 100,000, the remittance must be made in installments: 50% in the 1st year, 30% in the 2nd year, and the remaining 20% in the 3rd year.
Contractor & Service Fees
For recurring payments under a service agreement, the remittance limit is a maximum of 6% of the company's sales revenue (excluding VAT).
Rules on Advance Payments
Any advance payments made to foreign entities before a company starts generating revenue must be officially adjusted within one year of commencing commercial operations.
👨👩👧 Remittance for Family Maintenance & Support
Bangladeshi nationals working abroad can legally send money to support their families living overseas. Non-resident Bangladeshis can also remit funds from their accounts in Bangladesh.
Family Maintenance by Expatriates
Bangladeshi nationals employed abroad can remit up to 75% of their net income for the maintenance of their families living in other countries.
Transfers from Non-resident Taka Accounts (NRTA)
Non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) can freely remit funds abroad from the balance held in their NRTAs.
🎟️ Sending Money for International Events & Conferences
Funds can be remitted from Bangladesh to pay for registration fees for participation in international seminars, workshops, and conferences.
Event Registration Fees
Up to USD 2,500 per person per event is allowed to be remitted for registration fees.
🔗 Other Foreign Remittance Categories
This section covers various other permitted outward remittances from Bangladesh, including international donations and legal fees, which often require specific approvals.
Donations to International Charities
Remittances for donations to reputed international charitable organizations require prior approval from the Bangladesh Bank.
Payment for International Legal Services
Fees for foreign law firms can be remitted based on their official demand notes, typically requiring prior approval from the central bank for larger amounts.
Need Legal Help with Foreign Remittance?
Navigating Bangladesh's foreign exchange regulations can be complex. LegalSeba LLP is here to provide expert legal advice for your international transactions.
Regulatory Compliance
We ensure your transactions fully comply with the latest Bangladesh Bank circulars and the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947, minimizing risks of penalties.
Documentation Support
Our team assists in preparing and vetting all necessary documentation, from pro-forma invoices to legal agreements, for smooth processing by Authorized Dealer banks.
Expert Legal Advice
Get clear, actionable advice on complex cases, including structuring royalty agreements, franchise contracts, and securing Bangladesh Bank approval for special remittances.
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