Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The country’s health and education have seen significant improvement in recent years, which has led some companies to consider Bangladesh as a potential location for global expansion endeavors.

If your company is planning to expand or outsource operations to Bangladesh, you’ll need a skilled team of employees — whether that means relocating existing team members from your company’s country of origin or hiring new crew members abroad. Like any other country, Bangladesh has a specific process for issuing work visas and permits that will allow individuals from foreign nations to live and work in the country legally.

Types of Work Visas in Bangladesh

There are many types of visas for visitors to Bangladesh, including:

• Government Delegates visa
• Business visa
• Investor visa
• Tourist visa
• Employment or work visa
• Research visa
• Student visa
• Journalist visa
• Missionary visa

There are specific requirements for each type of visa. If your company is planning an expansion into Bangladesh, your employees will need to obtain employment visas.

Work visas may be issued for single entry, double entry, and multiple entries for individuals who plan to enter and exit the country numerous times throughout the duration of their visa. The price of the visa will vary depending on the category the employee chooses.

Requirements to Obtain Bangladesh Work Visas

To obtain a work visa in Bangladesh, employees will need to provide the following:

• A completed visa application form
• A letter of appointment from the employer in Bangladesh
• An original passport that is valid for a minimum of six months
• A copy of a recent passport photo
• Proof of payment of the visa fee, paid to the appropriate embassy
• A letter of recommendation from the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) and the Board of Investment (BOI)

If the employee would like their passport to be returned via post, they must also provide a self-addressed, prepaid envelope.

Application Process

The process of obtaining a work permit in Bangladesh is relatively simple. The application form can be found online on the website for the Department of Immigration & Passports in Bangladesh.

After filling out and submitting an online visa application form, the applicant must print out a copy of the completed form.

Applicants should then visit the Bangladeshi embassy or consulate in their country, bringing the completed visa application form enclosed with all of the required documents listed in the previous section. The visa application fee will vary based on the applicant’s country.

The usual processing time for a Bangladesh visa is about two weeks, so applicants should plan accordingly to ensure that they will receive their visa in time to make travel arrangements and begin employment.

Other Important Considerations

Some of your company’s employees may wish to bring family members along with them to Bangladesh, especially if you are planning to relocate existing members of your team. Spouses and dependents will need to submit the same documents that are required for an employment visa (other than the letter of appointment from the employer and the recommendation letter from BEPZA / BOI). In addition, they will need to provide necessary letters or certifications in support of their relationship to the employee, such as a marriage license or birth certificate.