Guidelines for Setting Up Foreign Entities, Obtaining Visa and Work Permits for Expatriates (Updated on 29th May 2023)

No. – 03.219.344.00.00.1142.2019-849

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) has published a revised guideline on the processes for obtaining permission to set up commercial offices for foreign entities in Bangladesh, VISA recommendation for expatriate workers and procedures for granting work permits in favour of expatriate workers with an objective to streamline the existing protocol to make it more pertinent and expedient to facilitate new investments into the country.

The revised guideline will be applicable in the following areas:

• Permission to set up branch office, liaison office, representative office, project office and office of Joint Venture / Consortium / Association (JVCA) in Bangladesh as per rule 54 of Public Procurement Rules, 2008 or any existing law or rule of foreign companies and any matter relating to the permits.
• Obtaining VISA recommendations and work permits for the appointment of expatriate workers in branch office, liaison office, representative office, project office of foreign companies and office of Joint Venture / Consortium / Association (JVCA) in Bangladesh as per rule 54 of Public Procurement Rules, 2008 or any existing law or rule and in any commercial establishment, educational institution, sports organization, cultural institution/organization, Government institution, contractor/sub-contractor organization.
• Obtaining VISA recommendations for the appointment of expatriate workers in private industrial establishments incorporated in Bangladesh and subsequent issuance of work permits and related matters.
• These guidelines will be applicable in all cases except in cases where the jurisdiction of any organization or authority is established under law (read – Bangladesh law).