How to Get a Work Permit Visa in Bangladesh
Visa and Immigration Service in Bangladesh
Foreign nationals seeking employment in Bangladesh must obtain a work permit from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). This comprehensive guide provides detailed information on the process of obtaining a work permit, from initial application to final approval. LegalSeba.com offers expert assistance at every step to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience. Three government authorities issue work permit in Bangladesh.
- For private sector industrial enterprise, branch office and liaison office, outside of Export Processing Zone (EPZ) – Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
- For employment of foreign nationals in the EPZ– Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA).
- For employment of foreign nationals in any NGO – NGO Affairs Bureau.
- For special categories, recommendations from respective ministries
Guidelines for Issuing Work Permits by BIDA
Private sector industrial enterprises, branch offices, and liaison/representative offices wishing to employ foreign nationals must apply to BIDA using their prescribed forms. BIDA follows specific guidelines when issuing work permits:
- Eligibility: Only nationals from countries recognized by Bangladesh are considered for employment.
- Approval and Registration: Employment of expatriate personnel is considered only in industrial/commercial establishments sanctioned or registered by the appropriate authority.
- Availability of Local Expertise: Employment of foreign nationals is considered only for positions where local experts or technicians are unavailable.
- Age Restriction: Persons below 18 years of age are not eligible for employment.
- Board Approval: A decision by the board of directors of the concerned company is required for new employment or employment extension.
- Employee Ratio: Generally industrial projects registered with BIDA can employ foreign workers at a ratio of 10:1 local worker: foreign worke at the initial stage and then 20:1 during the operational stage. • Commercial (branch, representative/ liaison) offices registered with BIDA and educational institutes can employ foreign workers at a ratio of 5:1 (local worker: foreign worker).
- Employment Term: Initial employment of foreign nationals is considered for a term of one year, extendable based on merit.
- Security Clearance: Security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs is required.
Process of Issuing Work Permit by BIDA
Step 1: Publication of Newspaper Advertisement
Employers are typically required to publish a newspaper or online advertisement for the recruitment of local personnel before considering foreign nationals. This requirement may not always be mandatory but is encouraged to demonstrate efforts to hire locally.
We assist in publishing the required advertisement for local recruitment:
- Drafting and Publishing: Drafting the advertisement and ensuring it is published in a reputed newspaper or online platform.
- Documentation: Keeping a record of the advertisement for submission with the work permit application.
Step 2: Application for Issuance of E Visa Recommendation
The local sponsor (Liaison/Branch Office or local company) must apply to BIDA online for the issuance of an E visa recommendation for the desired foreign national. The following documents are usually required:
- Permission letter for branch/liaison/representative office or Memorandum of Articles of Association and Certificate of Incorporation for locally incorporated companies.
- Board Resolution for the employment of foreign nationals, mentioning the expatriate’s name, nationality, and passport number.
- Photograph of the expatriate.
- Copy of the expatriate’s passport (all used pages).
- Appointment letter, transfer order, or service contract for expatriates.
- Certificates of all academic qualifications and professional experience for the employees.
- Newspaper advertisement or online posting for local recruitment.
- Description of the company’s specific activities.
- Manpower statement showing the list of local and expatriate personnel with designation, salary, nationality, and date of first appointment.
- Encashment certificate of inward remittance of at least US $50,000 as initial establishment cost (for foreign establishments).
- Up-to-date income tax clearance certificate of the organization.
- Company Audited Accounts
- Company Trade License and other incorporation Certificates
- Company Annual Returns
- Company latest Tax Clearance Certificate
- Company’s comments as per any remarks.
Step 3: Application for E Visa at the Bangladesh Embassy or High Commission
After BIDA issues the E visa recommendation, the foreign national must apply for an E visa at the respective Bangladesh Embassy or High Commission. Upon issuance, the foreign national should enter Bangladesh with an E visa.
Step 4: Application for Work Permit in Bangladesh
Within 15 days of the foreign national’s arrival, an application for a work permit must be submitted to BIDA, accompanied by a fee of BDT 5,000. Required documents include:
- All documents from Step 2.
- Attested photocopy of the passport with the arrival stamp indicating the ‘E’ type visa.
Step 5: Security Clearance
After the work permit is issued, BIDA sends a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs for security clearance, involving further scrutiny before the clearance is issued.
Eligible Applicants for Work Permit/Employment Visa
Eligible persons for this category of visa include:
- Experts, advisers, or employees appointed in government, semi-government, autonomous bodies, projects, and equivalent organizations in Bangladesh.
- Individuals employed in local/foreign government, semi-government, liaison, industrial, commercial organizations, or equivalent entities in Bangladesh.
- Individuals working under local/foreign government or semi-government contracts in Bangladesh.
- Individuals intending to do honorary work (without salary) with registered NGOs in Bangladesh.
Duration and Extension of Work Permit/Employment Visa
- Initial Duration: A work permit/employment visa may be issued for up to three months with single, double, or multiple entries, allowing a maximum stay of 90 days per visit.
- Extension: Extensions up to five years can be obtained from the Department of Immigration and Passport (DIP) in Bangladesh. The validity of the visa starts from the date of issue, not the date of travel.
A List of available visas for foreigners in Bangladesh
Please be advised that the information outlined herein serves as general guidance. LegalSeba provides tailored advice that is specifically designed to meet the unique needs and compliance requirements of each individual case. Our recommendations are contingent upon the particular circumstances presented by each client, ensuring that all legal and regulatory obligations are duly considered and addressed.
Visa is usually issued by the Bangladesh High Commission/Embassy concerned and extended by the Department of Immigration and Passports, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
| S.L.
No. |
Type of
visa |
Who are eligible | Arrival/travel purpose | Essential Documents to
issue |
Essential Documents to
extend |
| 01 | A | Head of State / Chief of Government /Minister
/ State Ministers / Deputy Ministers / Members of Parliament/ Regional Council Member / Mayor / equivalent persons and their spouse and dependent other family members |
Government / official duty | Verbal Note | Verbal Note |
| 02 | A1 | Government / Semi-Government / AutonomousAgency officials/government representatives and their
team members and their spouses and dependent children |
Government / official duty | Verbal Note | Recommendation of the concerned ministry/organising agency. |
| 03 | A2 | Officers and employees deployed by United Nations and its organisation/
International /Regional Agency/organizations. |
Official duty | Recommendations of Concerned organization | Request of Ministry/Department/agency concerned and terms and conditions laid down inappointment. |
| 04 | FA2 | Spouse and dependent family members of A2 | Traveling with A2 | Papers as proof of spouse/dependent family members of A2 visa holders. | Request of concerned organisation/agency and copy of related A2 visa. |
| 05 | A3 | Specialists/consultant/
Officer / Employee / Worker employed in the project under bilateral/multilateral agreement between the government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and its development partners. |
ProfessionalResponsibility
/Job |
Recommendations of the concerned Ministry/ Governmentorganization/Economic Relations Division. | Recommendations of the concerned Ministry/Economic Relations Division/government organization, security clearance and contract between government & others. |
| 06 | FA3 | Spouse and dependent family members of A3 | Traveling with A3 | Recommendations of the concerned Ministry/Department/Economic Relations Division, for the same period of related A3 visa. | Request from concerned Ministry/department/agency and favourable police report and copy of related A3 visa. |
| 07 | B | Businessman/business representative | Business | Investment/business certificate issued by the recognised trade association of the country concerned/
local (Bangladesh) sponsor recommendation and document regarding the authenticity of his business. |
Business
certificate/trade license, tax certificate, recommendations of a local sponsor, and favourable police report. |
| 08 | C | Crew of Aircraft / Ships / Other Transport
engaged in international routes. |
ProfessionalResponsibility
/Job |
Recommendation of the
recruitment authority. |
The recommendation of
proper authority |
| 09 | D | Ambassador / Diplomat / Consular and equivalent officer and their spouse and
dependent family members |
Duties of the official duty | Ø Verbal Note | Ø Verbal Note |
| 10 | ND | Personal staff of A/A2/D visa holders and non-diplomatic staff and their spouses and dependent
Other family members. |
Traveling with A/A2/D visaholders. | Verbal Note | Recommendation of Embassy/HighCommissionconcerned. |
| 11 | DA | Domestic Aid of A/A2/D visa-holders | Traveling with A/A2/D visaholders. | Verbal Note | Recommendation of Embassy/High
Commissionconcerned. |
| 12 | E | Experts/consultant/employee/person employed in government/semi-
government/autonomous/project or farm of a contractor of home and abroad. |
ProfessionalResponsibility
/Job |
Appointment letter andBIDA/BEPZA/
recommendationMinistryconcerned |
Recommendation of appointing authority,
work permit and security clearance. |
| 13 | FE | Spouse and dependent family members of E visa-holders | Traveling with E visaholders | Proof of spouse/dependent family members of Evisa
holders. |
Request of concerned organization/institution and positive police report
and copy of related Evisa. |
| 14 | E1 | Foreigners engaged in Machinery and software supplies /
Installation/maintenance/supervision/project Inspection and such things |
Machinery and software providing / Setting /Maintenance/training/Supervision/project inspection
Etc. |
Authenticity ofBIDA/BEPZA/department/agency/concerned Ministry’srecommendation.
Invitation letter from local sponsor, Authenticity of the institution/importer-who invites the foreigner, Contract between machinery/software foreign provider/supplier and local institution/importer. |
Recommendation of local institution/importer, positive police report and work permit. |
| 15 | FE1 | Spouse and dependent family members of E1 visa holders | Traveling with E1 visaholders | Proof of spouse/dependent family members of E1 visa holders. | Request of concerned importer/institution, police and copy of related E1 visa. |
| 16 | J | Journalists working for Foreign Journal / Newspaper/ Wireless /
TV / news agency/satellite media or Freelance Journalist Etc. |
ProfessionalResponsibility
/Job |
Recommendations of the concerned ministry/Department/Economic Relations Division, proper appointment letter and recommendation of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of
the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. |
Recommendation of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, work permit and security clearance. |
| 17 | FJ | Spouse and dependent family members of J visa holders | Traveling with J visaholders | Proof of spouse/dependent family members of J visa
holders |
Request of the concerned institution, positive policy and copy of
related J visa. |
| 18 | M | Missionaries / religious guru | Religious matter | Request/appointment of the concerned religious mission/institution and recommendation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. | Request/appointment of the concerned religious mission/institution and recommendation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and security clearance. |
| 19 | FM | Spouse and dependent family members of M visa holders. | Traveling with M visa-holders | Proof of spouse/dependent family members of M visa holders. | Request of concerned organisation/institution, positive police report
and copy of related M visa. |
| 20 | N | An employee of a registered NGO | ProfessionalResponsibility
/Job |
Appointment letter from the NGO concerned and recommendation from the NGO bureau about the authenticity of
appointment. |
Recommendation of appointing authority, work permit and security clearance. |
| 21 | FN | Spouse and dependent family members of N visa holders | Traveling with N visaholders | Proof of spouse/dependent family members of N visa holders. | Request of concerned organization/institution
, positive police report and copy of related N visa. |
| 22 | P | player/coach/
Member of Cultural Party / Artist / Literaryand equal individuals |
ProfessionalResponsibility
/Job |
Request of concerned institution/organisation and recommendation of Ministry concerned. | Recommendation of appointing authority, work permit and security clearance. |
| 23 | FP | Spouse and dependent members of P visa holders | Traveling with P visaholders | Proof of spouse/dependent family members of P visa holders. | Request of concerned organization/institution, positive police report and copy of related P
visa. |
| 24 | PI | Foreign capital investor | Conducting Investment /business /
Commercial organization |
Recommendation of Bangladesh InvestmentDevelopment Authority(BIDA)/BangladeshExport Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA) declaring that the applicant is a genuine
investor. |
Security clearance; request from concerned organisation/ institution and recommendation of BIDA/BEPZA declaring that investment of relevant applicant is existing on. |
| 25 | FPI | Spouse and dependent family members of PI visa-holders | Traveling with PI visa holders | Ø Proof of spouse/dependent family members of PI visa holders. | Ø Request of concerned organization/institution, positive police report copy of related PI visa. |
| 26 | R |
Participants in internship/Research/training at any approved organization/institution |
Research/training/Internship etc. | Request of concerned institution/organisation and recommendation of Ministry concerned. | Recommendation of appointing authority, positive verification report from police and
NSI. |
| 27 | FR | Spouse and dependent members of R visa holders | Traveling with R visaholders | Proof of
spouse/dependent family members of R visa holders. |
Request of concerned organization/institution, positive police report copy of related R visa. |
| 28 | S | Students studying in Government approved educational institution |
Study |
Document related to admission under government-approved educational institution in Bangladesh, sponsorship, bank
guarantee and others. |
Recommendation of concerned educational institution, sponsorship, non-employment certificate and positive verification report from police. |
| 29 | FS | Spouse and dependent members of S visa holders | Traveling with S visaholders | Proof of
spouse/dependent family members of S visa holders. |
Request of concerned organisation/institution, positive police report and copy of related S visa. |
| 30 | T | Any citizen of a country which has diplomatic relations with Bangladesh | Travelling / Tourism /Meeting with relatives /religious
purpose / Private Seminar / workshop /study Tour etc. |
– |
Positive police report. |
Professional Assistance by LegalSeba
At LegalSeba, we provide comprehensive support for obtaining work permits and employment visas for Bangladesh. Our services include:
- Detailed Consultation: Assessing your eligibility and understanding your specific needs.
- Application Assistance: Helping complete the online application and gathering necessary documents.
- Appointment Scheduling: Organizing and preparing for your consular appointment.
- Document Verification: Ensuring all documents are accurate and complete.
- Follow-up and Updates: Providing regular updates on the status of your application.
- Administrative Support: Assisting with any additional requirements, newspaper publication or interviews.
- Post Visa Support: Assisting visa-holders with, Accommodation, Tax, Bank Account opening, change of employer and settlement support
Choose LegalSeba.com for a hassle-free visa application experience. Contact us today to get started on your journey to working in Bangladesh.
-
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone/Whatsapp: +8801753718223
For more information on how LegalSeba.com can assist you with obtaining work permits and employment visas in Bangladesh, visit our website or reach out to our support team. Our expertise and comprehensive services will ensure your transition to working in Bangladesh is smooth and compliant with all regulatory requirements.
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