Work Permits and PI Visas for Foreign Citizens 

How to apply for a PI Visa?

The procedure for obtaining work permit for foreign nationals employed in Bangladesh

For foreign investors, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority makes recommendations for PI category visas. The following documents are required:

(i)             Permission letter of branch, liaison office or certificate of incorporation for locally incorporated company;

(ii)           Board resolution for engaging foreign national in Bangladesh;

(iii)          Memorandum and articles of association;

(iv)          Up-to-date income tax clearance certificate;

(v)            Encashment certificate of inward remittance of a minimum of USD 50,000;

(vi)          Statement of manpower; and

(vii)        Specific activity of the company issued in its letterhead.

Work permits are mandatory for every foreign national seeking employment in Bangladesh. Private sector industrial enterprises, branch office, liaison/representative office desiring to employ foreign nationals are required to apply to BIDA in a prescribed from. While issuing work permit, BIDA usually follows the following guidelines:

(i)             Only nationals of countries recognised by Bangladesh are considered for employment.

(ii)         Employment of expatriate personnel will be considered only in industrial/commercial establishments which are sanctioned/registered by the appropriate authority.

(iii)          Employment of foreign nationals is normally considered for the job for which local experts/technicians are not available.

(iv)          Persons below 18 years of age are not eligible for employment.

(v)            A decision of the board of directors of the concerned company for new employment/employment extension is to be furnished in each case.

(vi)          The number of foreign employees should not exceed 5% in the industrial sector and 20% in commercial sector of the total employees, including top management personnel.

(vii)        Initially, employment of any foreign national is considered for a term of two years, which may be extended on the basis of merit of the case.

(viii)       Ministry of Home Affairs will issue necessary security clearance certificate.

Required Documents for Industrial Companies:

(i)             Permission letter of branch / liaison / representative office or Memorandum & articles of association and certificate of incorporation in case of locally incorporated company.

(ii)           Board resolution for employment of foreign national(s) mentioning expatriate name, nationality & passport number.

(iii)          Visa recommendation letter of the expatriate / investors issued by BIDA.

(iv)          Paper advertisement for appointment of local personnel prior to appointment of expatriate worker.

(v)            Copies of all academic qualification and professional experience certificate for the employee.

(vi)          Service contract / agreement and appointment letter / transfer order in case of employee.

(vii)        Passport of the employee / expatriate / investor / (all used pages).

(viii)       Statement of the manpower showing list of local and expatriate personnel employed with designation, salary break-up, nationality and date of first appointment.

(ix)      Encashment certificate of inward remittance of minimum US$ 50,000/- as initial establishment cost for branch / liaison / representative office and locally incorporated / joint venture and 100% foreign ownership companies.

(x)            Up-to-date income tax clearance certificate (organisation).

Required Documents for Commercial Companies:

(i)         Permission letter of branch / liaison / representative office or memorandum and articles of association and certificate of incorporation in case of locally incorporated company.

(ii)         Board resolution for employment of foreign nation(s) mentioning expatriate name, nationality and passport number.

(iii)        Visa recommendation letter of the expatriate / investors issued by BIDA.

(iv)   Copies of all academic qualification and professional experience certificate for the employee service contract/ agreement and appointment letter/ transfer order in case of employee and a passport of the employee / expatriate / investor/ (all used pages).

(v)         Statement of the manpower showing list of local and expatriate personnel employed with designation, salary break-up, nationality and date of first appointment.

(ii)      Encashment certificate of inward remittance of minimum US$ 50,000/- as initial establishment cost for branch / liaison / representative office and locally incorporated / joint venture and 100% foreign ownership companies.

(iii)       Up-to-date income tax clearance certificate (organisation).