Eligibility quiz
Do you plan to invest in or manage a private business in industry or trade in Bangladesh?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Bangladesh
Your visa normally allows multiple entries and a stay in Bangladesh for the period it permits, usually up to one year.
It may be extended year by year, up to five years in total.
How to apply
From outside BangladeshFrom outside Bangladesh
Find your consulate
Find the Bangladesh embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Bangladesh embassy or consulate covers your city for a Private Investor visa application?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsGet an investor recommendation
Apply for a recommendation from the Bangladesh investment authority responsible for your project. For a Bangladesh Investment Development Authority project, create an account with its One Stop Service and apply online.
Apply for a recommendationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for a Bangladesh Private Investor visa investor recommendation through the appropriate investment authority?”
Fill in the application online
Register with your email address on the Bangladesh online visa portal, choose a new visa application and select investment as your purpose. Fill in the visa application form and save your application details.
Fill in the formSubmit your application online
Submit your completed form on the Bangladesh online visa portal and save your tracking information.
Submit the formPrint and sign the form
Print your completed visa application form and sign it.
Print the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I print and sign my Bangladesh Private Investor visa application form?”
Book an appointment
Arrange an appointment with your consulate if it requires one. Some consulates use the Ministry of Foreign Affairs appointment system.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I arrange an appointment for a Bangladesh Private Investor visa at the consulate covering your city?”
Pay the visa fee
Pay any applicable visa fee in the way your consulate instructs and keep the receipt.
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Hand in your application
Take your printed, signed form, passport, documents and payment receipt to your consulate. Ask the consulate how it accepts applications; it may also permit delivery by another method.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Bangladesh Private Investor visa application to the consulate covering your city?”
Leave your passport
Leave your passport with the consulate when it asks for it, or follow its instructions for mailing it.
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Wait for the decision
Track your application using the method your consulate provides. Answer any questions or requests for more documents.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I track a Bangladesh Private Investor visa application at the consulate covering your city?”
Collect your passport
Once your visa is approved, collect your passport or follow the consulate's instructions to receive it. You can then travel to Bangladesh.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my passport after a Bangladesh Private Investor visa is approved at the consulate covering your city?”
Once in BangladeshOnce in Bangladesh
Apply for a work permit
If your visa has a work-related condition, apply to the responsible Bangladesh authority for a work permit within 15 working days of your first entry. Your Private Investor visa does not replace the permit.
Apply for a permitSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for a work permit in Bangladesh with a Private Investor visa?”
Documents needed
Required to applyRequired to apply
Passport and copy
Bring your passport and a copy of its information page. It should normally be valid for at least six months. If you need a BIDA recommendation, include copies of the pages showing your arrival and departure stamps; for an extension, include copies of the pages showing your visa and arrival stamp.
Passport photos
Include a recent colour photo of yourself against a white background, measuring 45 mm by 35 mm. Some consulates ask for two passport-size photos; a photo is also needed for a BIDA recommendation.
Application form
Submit the completed and signed visa application form. Print the form you completed online and include it with your documents.
Investor recommendation
Get a recommendation confirming that you are an investor from the Bangladesh authority responsible for your project. It should identify you and your investment, and include your passport number and investment documents.
Company registration records *
For a BIDA recommendation, include the company's certificate of incorporation, signed by the shareholders. For an extension, include the business registration or incorporation records that apply to your company.
* Only if you need a BIDA recommendation or are extending your visa.
Bank encashment certificate *
Include a bank encashment certificate showing that at least USD 50,000 was brought in for the company's initial establishment costs. This goes with the documents for your BIDA recommendation.
* Only if you need a BIDA recommendation for a locally incorporated joint venture or wholly foreign-owned company.
Company tax records *
For a BIDA recommendation, include the company's current income-tax clearance certificate. For an extension, include the company's tax details.
* Only if you need a BIDA recommendation or are extending your visa.
Company founding documents *
Include the company's memorandum and articles of association, signed by the shareholders. These go with the documents for your BIDA recommendation.
* Only if you need a BIDA recommendation.
Board resolution *
Include the board's decision to engage you in the company. It should name you, your nationality and passport number, and the investment sector; include any documents about your engagement that BIDA asks for.
* Only if you need a BIDA recommendation.
Company activity description *
Include a description of what the company does. This goes with the documents for your BIDA recommendation.
* Only if you need a BIDA recommendation.
Company personnel statement *
Include a statement listing the company's current local and foreign staff. For each person, give their job title, salary, allowances, bonuses, nationality and first appointment date.
* Only if you need a BIDA recommendation.
Company authorization letter *
Include an authorization letter signed by the company's management. This goes with the documents for your BIDA recommendation.
* Only if you need a BIDA recommendation.
Continuing investment certificate *
Get a certificate from the Bangladesh authority responsible for your investment confirming that your investment is continuing. Include the documents from your first visa application as they apply to you.
* Only if you are extending your visa.
Work permit *
Include your work permit with your extension application. It should cover your work in your company.
* Only if you are extending your visa and work in your own company.
Security clearance *
Include your security clearance from the Bangladesh Ministry of Home Affairs. This is needed with your extension application.
* Only if you are extending your visa.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Work permit limits
You need a work permit to work in your investment business, and you must keep it valid.
Your visa alone does not allow you to take unrelated employment.
Visa can end
Your visa or allowed stay ends when its period expires, and immigration or security rules can cut it short.
Extension is not automatic: it needs a continuing investment, official certification, passport and arrival stamp, business and tax records, and security clearance.
A work permit is also needed where applicable.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
r/Dhaka
English Reddit group for people interested in Bangladeshi local life
Join on Redditr/bangladesh
Reddit group for people interested in Bangladeshi local life (English & Bangla)
Join on Redditr/Chittagong
Reddit group for people interested in Bangladeshi local life (English & Bangla)
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