Immigration Law in Bangladesh 2024

What is Immigration Law in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has recently gained a tremendous amount of attention worldwide due to its booming business and growing economy. As well as the easy immigration law in Bangladesh inspired international people to stay there and continue their businesses. This has attracted several foreign nationals to seek employment in Bangladesh or to invest in Bangladesh. This article provides an overview of the various schemes and procedures that must be followed for obtaining citizenship or a visa in Bangladesh.

Obtaining citizenship in Bangladesh

A person who has resided in Bangladesh for 4 (four) years during the last 7(seven) years can apply for citizenship in Bangladesh.

Requirements

In order to obtain citizenship under the immigration law in Bangladesh, the applicant has to satisfy the following:

(a) That he is not a minor

(b) That he is neither a citizen of [Bangladesh] nor a subject of any state of which a citizen of [Bangladesh] is prevented by or under any law from becoming a subject by naturalization;]

(c) that he has resided in [Bangladesh] throughout the period of twelve months immediately preceding the date of application, and has, during the seven years immediately preceding the said period of twelve months. Resided in [Bangladesh] for a period amounting In the aggregate to not less than four years;

(d) That he is of good character;

(e) That he has adequate knowledge of the [Bengali] language; and

(f) That he Intends, if the application is granted, to reside in [Bangladesh] or to enter or continue in the service of the [Republic] in [Bangladesh]:

Certificate of Naturalization-

If the above requirements are satisfied, then the person seeking citizenship in Bangladesh shall apply for a Certificate of Naturalization from the concerned government authorities in Bangladesh.

Every application for a Certificate of Naturalization shall be in writing and shall state to the best of the knowledge and belief of the applicant-

(a) His age

(b) His place of birth;

(d) His profession, trade or occupation

(e) Full particulars regarding his qualification;

(f)Whether he has at any time previously applied for the grant of a certificate of naturalization;

(g)Whether any such application has been rejected

(h)Whether any such certificate has been granted to him; and

(i)Whether any such certificate granted to him has been revoked or whether he has been deprived of his citizenship.

After receiving the Certificate of Naturalization, the applicant would be registered as a citizen of Bangladesh.

Government Delegate visa

The visa applicant must obtain and fill out the application form from the Bangladesh High Commission in their respective country. The following documents must be submitted to the Bangladesh High Commission along with the Visa application-

Print-out of duly filled-in Visa application form with applicant’s signature;
01 (one) recent passport size (45X35 mm) colour photograph with a white background;
Passport (with at least six months validity);
Note Verbal from the concerned Ministry mentioning the applicant’s position, duration of stay and purpose of visit to Bangladesh;
Previous Passport and visa (if any) along with a photocopy

Business Visa

Regarding a business travel visa, the applicant should apply for a B visa. For obtaining a B visa, the following documents must be submitted to the Bangladeshi High Commission or Embassy in the respective country-

The completed and signed visa application form;
Original passport, valid for at least six months;
The visa processing fee;
Three passport-sized recent photographs;
Invitation letter from a business organization in Bangladesh;
Letter from your employer confirming your position in the company;
Your flight/travel itinerary;
A self-addressed, pre-paid special delivery envelope.

After obtaining a B visa, the visa holder can reside in Bangladesh for 180 days.

Step-by-step process of obtaining a work permit in Bangladesh

The first step for every foreign national who seeks employment in Bangladesh is obtaining a work permit to work in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) is the primary Government authority that issue work permit in Bangladesh for foreign nationals who seek employment in private companies or industries or public enterprises. This government body is the primary body that determines if a foreigner would receive a work permit to work in Bangladesh.BIDA has a prescribed form for foreign nationals who seek work permits in Bangladesh. To download the form, please click here.

Guidelines of BIDA

Foreign nationals must keep in mind that BIDA strictly maintains the following guidelines:

Applicants for the work permit must be from a country that Bangladesh recognizes as a nation.
Employment of the foreign national is considered only in industrial/commercial establishments which have been registered by the appropriate authority.
Employment of foreign nationals is normally considered for the job for which locals are not available. However, this is not a mandatory requirement.
Persons under the age of 18 years are not eligible for employment.
A decision of the board of directors of the concerned company or institution for new employment is to be furnished in each case.
BIDA ensures that the number of foreign employees does not exceed 5% in the industrial sector and 20% in the commercial sector of the total employees.
Initially, the employment of any foreign national is considered for a period of one year, which may be extended on the merit of the case.

Step 1: Publishing newspaper or an online advertisement

The employer must first publish a newspaper or an online advertisement for the recruitment of a potential employee. The newspaper or online advertisement must include a list of tasks that the employee would be required to perform, the qualifications of the potential employee, the indication of salary (negotiable or not), the location of the job, and any other mandatory terms of the employment. This advertisement basically sets out an overview of the job.

Step 2: Application for the E Visa Recommendation

Thereafter, the employer must apply to BIDA for the E-Visa recommendation in favour of the foreign national. The documents that must be submitted to BIDA are as follows-

Copy of permission letter for branch/liaison/representative office or Memorandum of articles of association and certificate of incorporation in case of a locally incorporated company.
Board Resolution for the employment of foreign nation(s) mentioning Expatriate Name, Nationality & Passport Number
Photograph of the Expatriate.
Copy of passport of the Expatriate/Investor/Employee (Whole of the used part).
Appointment Letter/transfer order/service contract or agreement for expatriate/investors.
Certificate of all academic qualifications & professional experience for the employees
Paperclipping showing advertisement made for recruitment of local personal prior to the appointment of the expatriate(s)
Specific activities of the company
Statement of manpower showing a list of local and expatriate personnel employed with the designation, salary break-up, nationality and date of the first appointment. (Latest Copy)
Encashment certificate of inward remittance of minimum U.S $50,000.00 as initial establishment cost for branch/liaison/representative office and locally incorporated/ joint venture and 100% foreign ownership companies.
Up-to-date Income tax clearance certificate (Organization)

Please keep in mind that all the documents must be attested by the Chairman/ CEO / Managing director/ Country Manager/ Chief executive of the Company/firm.

Step 3: Application for E Visa in the respective Bangladesh Embassy or High Commission

Once BIDA issues the E visa recommendation, the foreign national must apply for an E visa in the respective Bangladesh Embassy or High Commission in their country. Once the E visa is issued, the foreign national should enter Bangladesh with the E visa.

Step 4: Application for a work permit in Bangladesh

After arrival in Bangladesh, the foreign national must submit an application for a work permit to BIDA within 15 days. A fee of Tk. 5,000 is applicable for applying for a work permit.

The following papers/documents are required for a new work permit:

Attested photocopy of passport with arrival stamp ‘E’ type visa for an employee
Copy of permission letter for branch/liaison/representative office or Memorandum of articles of association and certificate of incorporation in case of the locally incorporated company.
Board Resolution for the employment of foreign nation(s) mentioning Expatriate Name, Nationality & Passport Number
Photograph of the Expatriate.
Copy of passport of the Expatriate/Investor/Employee (Whole of the used part).
Appointment Letter/transfer order/service contract or agreement for expatriate/investors.
Certificate of all academic qualifications & professional experience for the employees
Paperclipping showing advertisement made for recruitment of local personal prior to the appointment of the expatriate(s)
Specific activities of the company
Statement of manpower showing a list of local and expatriate personnel employed with the designation, salary break-up, nationality, and date of the first appointment. (Latest Copy)
Encashment certificate of inward remittance of minimum U.S $50,000.00 as initial establishment cost for branch/liaison/representative office and locally incorporated/ joint venture and 100% foreign ownership companies.
Up-to-date Income tax clearance certificate (Organization)

Step 5: Security Clearance

Once a work permit is issued by BIDA, a copy of the work permit would then be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs for security clearance by BIDA. After some scrutiny, security clearance will be issued.

FE Visa

One additional feature of the E Visa is that after the foreign national obtains a work permit through E Visa, he is eligible to bring his spouse or dependent members to Bangladesh through the FE VISA

Authorized Period of stay: the same length of stay as the Principal visa trip in the E category.

Birth/ marriage certificates must be presented to BIDA to obtain the FE Visa.

Investor Visa

The investor visa is applicable to foreign investors who want to invest in a business in Bangladesh.

A printed copy of the duly filled-in online VISA application form and signed accordingly;
Recent passport size colour photo- 2 (Two) copies with white background;
Original Passport (valid at least for six months) with a photocopy of the photo page;
Recommendation letter from BIDA/BOI/BEPZA.

Tourist Visa

In order to obtain a tourist visa for visiting Bangladesh, the visa applicant must appear in person at the Bangladeshi Embassy in their country for visa application. The visa applicant must provide the following documents as part of the application-

Filled-out online Application form (print out a copy with a signature signed
Passport and a copy of the main page.
2 recent color photographs(2 inches size and a stamp size 2 cm. x 2 cm.) with a white background.
An employment letter (mentioning that individual’s appointment/post, passport number, duration of period serving in the company, and salary. ) OR an invitation letter from Bangladesh on the subject of Tourism together with a copy of a passport of the host/ a person who invites you to Bangladesh.
A copy of the Hotel reservation.
A copy of the recent book bank or bank statement (alternative)
A copy of the Ticket
A valid Passport with a sufficient number of pages
Copy of the previous visa

After the tourist visa period ends, the visa applicant can apply for extending the visa.

Student Visa

Students who seek admission to any government-approved educational institution must apply for a student visa at their respective Bangladeshi Embassy or High Commission.

The following documents must be submitted to the Bangladeshi Embassy or High Commission in order to apply for a student visa:

Proof of letter from the Bangladesh Bangladeshi educational institution where the applicant got admission or is going to get admission;
Sponsorship letter from the Bangladeshi educational institution;
Bank statement of the previous three months;
Student ID issued by the Bangladeshi educational institution with a photocopy;
Two copies of 45mm X 35mm photographs;
Filled in the visa application form.

Diplomatic Visa

This visa applies to persons who are being employed in a diplomatic position. The following documents must be submitted to the respective Bangladeshi Embassy or High Commission in order to apply for a diplomatic visa:

Official letter from the concerned Government/ Embassy/ Office/ Organization;
Two copies of 45mm X 35mm photographs;
Filled-in visa application form
Letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs required for the Exemption of the Visa fees for the official visits
Visa will be given on the Official Passport.

NGO visa

A person who has been appointed to an NGO registered in Bangladesh is eligible for an NGO visa. The following documents must be submitted to the respective Bangladeshi Embassy or High Commission for an NGO visa:

A certified letter from the concerned NGO in Bangladesh which should be duly attested by the NGO Affairs Bureau, Dhaka stating that the visa applicant has been appointed by the concerned NGO;
The appointment letter issued by the concerned NGO with the terms and conditions from the NGO where the applicant has been appointed;
A letter from the present employer of the applicant;
Two copies of 45mm X 35mm photographs;
Filled in the visa application form.
Recommendation letter from the concerned Bangladeshi NGO.

Journalist Visa

Journalists of newspapers/magazines/TV or radio networks/news agencies /representatives of print, electronic, or satellite media / freelance journalists would be eligible for journalist visas for the purpose of conducting their professional service in Bangladesh. The following documents must be presented to the respective Bangladeshi Embassy or High Commission by the visa applicant for obtaining a journalist visa:

A support letter from his/her employer describing the purpose of the visit to Bangladesh;
Filled in FF-Iand FF-II forms;
Two copies of 45mm X 35mm photographs
Filled in the visa application form.
Passport copies
One set of a copy of the work permit in the country that he/she is employed in.
A copy of the journalist/press identity card
A recommendation letter from the current employer in their respective country, providing necessary information such as the details of the journalist, what subject will be reported or what information will be obtained in Bangladesh, and the types of equipment that will be necessary to conduct the report in Bangladesh.

Conclusion

Immigration Law practice at CLP

The Barristers, Advocates, and lawyers at CLP in Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh are highly experienced in providing any kind of services related to immigration for foreign nationals. This is the best law chamber in Bangladesh, it has assisted numerous clients to obtain visas in Bangladesh. It can provide any kind of documentation, paperwork, consultation, or any other related services to any foreign national who seeks a visa in Bangladesh. For queries or legal assistance, please reach us at:

Requirements for Obtaining citizenship in Bangladesh

Certificate of Naturalization-
Government Delegate visa
Business Visa

Step-by-step process of obtaining a work permit in Bangladesh

FE Visa
Investor Visa
Tourist Visa
Student Visa
Diplomatic Visa
NGO visa
Journalist Visa

For more information about Immigration Lawyer in Bangladesh don’t hesitate to knock us (Immigration Law practice at ( Counsels Law Partners (CLP)

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