Business Licenses in Bangladesh | Guide for Foreign Investors | LegalSeba LLP
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Seamless Business Setup in Bangladesh

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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.

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
Book A Meeting: LegalSeba.com/book-now

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