If your company plans to expand into Bangladesh, you will need a skilled team of employees.
Whether dispatching existing team members or hiring international workers, Bangladesh has a specific process for issuing work visas and permits, allowing individuals to legally live and work in the country.
Types of Work Visas in Bangladesh
There are various types of visas for visitors to Bangladesh, including:
Government Representative Visa, Business Visa, Investor Visa, Tourist Visa, Employment or Work Visa, Research Visa, Student Visa, Journalist Visa, Missionary Visa
Each visa has specific requirements. If your company plans to expand into Bangladesh, international employees will need to obtain a work visa.
For individuals planning to enter and leave the country multiple times during the visa period, single-entry, double-entry, and multiple-entry work visas can be issued. The cost of the visa will vary depending on the category chosen by the employee.
Remember, local employers need to maintain a local to foreign ratio of 5:1, meaning only 20% of employees can be international workers.
Requirements for Obtaining a Work Visa in Bangladesh
To obtain a work visa in Bangladesh, employees need to provide the following information:
Completed visa application form, job offer from a Bangladeshi employer, original passport with a minimum validity of 6 months, recent passport photo, relevant qualifications and experience certificates, proof of visa fee payment to the respective embassy, recommendation letters from Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) and Board of Investment (BOI), and a self-addressed prepaid envelope if the applicant wishes to have the passport returned by mail.
Application Process
The process of obtaining a work permit in Bangladesh is relatively straightforward. The application form can be found online on the website of the Bangladesh Immigration & Passport Department.
After filling out and submitting the online visa application form, applicants must print a copy of the completed form.
Then, applicants should visit the Bangladeshi embassy or consulate in their country, along with the completed visa application form and all necessary documents. The visa application fee varies depending on the applicant's country/region. Upon arrival in Bangladesh, the employer needs to submit a work permit application on behalf of the employee. To do this, the employer will need to create an online account with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
The usual processing time for a Bangladeshi visa is about 2 weeks, so applicants should plan accordingly to ensure they receive their visa in time to arrange travel and obtain a work permit before starting employment.
Other Important Considerations
Some employees may wish to bring family members to Bangladesh. Spouses and dependents will need to submit the same documents required for the work visa (except for the employer's appointment letter and BEPZA/BOI recommendation letters). Additionally, they will need to provide necessary letters or certificates confirming their relationship with the employee, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate.
