Bangladesh

Investor Visa

The Bangladesh Investor Visa (P1/PI category) enables foreign nationals to reside in Bangladesh for the purpose of investing in, establishing, or managing industrial and commercial enterprises. The program is administered by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and is governed by the Foreign Private Investment (Promotion and Protection) Act, 1980, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Act, 2016, and the National Industrial Policy 2022. BIDA serves as the apex investment promotion agency, processing visa recommendations through its digital One-Stop Service (OSS) portal.

Bangladesh offers a tiered immigration framework linked to investment size: the standard investor visa for certified investors, permanent residency for investments of USD 75,000 or more (non-repatriable), citizenship eligibility for USD 500,000 or more, and a "No Visa Required" (NVR) endorsement for USD 5,000,000 or more.

• Foreign national intending to invest in, establish, or manage a private sector enterprise in Bangladesh
• Genuine investor status certified by BIDA (for general private sector), BEPZA (for Export Processing Zones), or BEZA (for Economic Zones)
• No minimum investment threshold for the standard visa — eligibility is based on certified investor status
• For permanent residency: minimum non-repatriable investment of USD 75,000
• For citizenship eligibility: minimum non-repatriable investment of USD 500,000, or transfer of USD 1,000,000 to a recognized financial institution
• For NVR endorsement: proof of USD 5,000,000 investment, issued by BIDA, BEPZA, or BEZA
• No educational or professional qualifications required

• Completed online visa application form via visa.gov.bd
• Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
• Two passport photographs (45x35mm, white background, not older than 6 months)
• Visa fee payment receipt
• BIDA, BEPZA, or BEZA recommendation letter confirming genuine investor status
• Investment/business testimonial from a recognized trade association in the applicant's home country
• Recommendation letter from a local (Bangladesh) sponsor
• Company registration documents: certificate of incorporation, trade license, TIN certificate
• Memorandum and Articles of Association and Certificate of Incorporation signed by shareholders
• Board resolution authorizing the foreign national to operate in Bangladesh

The initial investor visa is issued for up to 1 year with single, double, or multiple entry options. Extensions of up to 5 years can be obtained from the Department of Immigration and Passport (DIP). Prospective investors may receive a 3-year multiple-entry visa under the National Industrial Policy. The NVR endorsement grants unlimited entries and stay for the lifetime of the passport.

Renewal requires a security clearance, a request from the sponsoring organization, and a BIDA/BEPZA/BEZA recommendation confirming active investment status.

Bangladesh operates three investment zones with separate issuing authorities:

• General private sector — administered by BIDA; permits 100% foreign ownership in most sectors or joint ventures
• Export Processing Zones (EPZ) — administered by BEPZA
• Economic Zones — administered by BEZA

Foreign investors establishing branch, liaison, or representative offices must register with BIDA and maintain a minimum foreign exchange deposit of USD 50,000. The Foreign Private Investment (Promotion and Protection) Act, 1980 guarantees protection against nationalization and expropriation, and the right to repatriate profits, dividends, and capital proceeds.

Investor visa holders must apply for a work permit from the relevant authority (BIDA, BEPZA, or BEZA) within 15 days of entry into Bangladesh. The work permit authorizes investment and management activities related to the enterprise. Applications are submitted via the BIDA OSS portal, with processing of approximately 16 working days. The work permit fee is BDT 5,000 per individual per year (BDT 1,000 for amendments, no fee for cancellation).

Bangladesh levies income tax on residents and non-residents under the Income Tax Act, 2023. The corporate income tax rate is 27.5% for non-listed companies and 22.5% for publicly traded companies. Bangladesh has concluded over 30 Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs). Profits, dividends, and salaries earned from investments are freely repatriable; however, the principal investment amount for permanent residency and citizenship pathways is non-repatriable.

The process involves multiple agencies:

1. Register the investment project with BIDA, BEPZA, or BEZA depending on the investment zone.
2. Obtain a BIDA recommendation letter via the One-Stop Service (OSS) portal at bidaquickserv.org. The recommendation carries no fee and is processed within 24 hours when all documents are submitted.
3. Apply for the investor visa online through the Bangladesh MRV Portal at visa.gov.bd, or at a Bangladesh embassy, high commission, or consulate abroad. Standard processing takes at least 7 working days. Fees are determined by reciprocity with the applicant's home country.
4. Apply for a work permit within 15 days of arrival, via the BIDA OSS portal.

For visa extensions inside Bangladesh, apply to the Department of Immigration and Passport (DIP).