Work Permit in Bangladesh for Foreign Nationals

A work permit in Bangladesh is required before a foreign national starts paid work here, regardless of seniority. Managing directors, engineers, technicians and consultants on secondment all need one. Employers that skip the process risk penalties, problems with salary remittance and difficulty when the employee leaves the country. Visas alone do not authorise employment.

This page covers the full path for an expatriate: the visa recommendation, the E visa, the work permit application, security clearance, tax registration and renewals. It is written for HR and finance teams at foreign-invested companies and for expatriates who want to understand what their employer is doing on their behalf.

Which authority issues a work permit in Bangladesh?

• BIDA: industrial and commercial companies, branch, liaison and representative offices outside zones.
• BEZA: enterprises in economic zones.
• BEPZA: enterprises in export processing zones.
• NGO Affairs Bureau: foreign staff of NGOs registered under the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Act 2016.
• Sector regulators or ministries may be involved for specific fields, such as security-sensitive projects.

Visa types relevant to foreign employees

An employee who will take up a job should enter on an employment (E) visa issued by a Bangladesh mission abroad on the strength of a visa recommendation from the relevant authority and the employer's appointment letter. Investors and directors typically use the PI visa, and short business visits use a business (B) visa. Converting a tourist or business visa into an employment visa is not a routine option, so start with the right visa.

After arrival, the work permit application should be filed promptly within the period the authority prescribes, and the visa is then extended in line with the work permit through the Department of Immigration and Passports.

Documents for a work permit application

• Passport with E visa and arrival stamp.
• Appointment letter or contract showing designation, salary and benefits.
• Employer's incorporation documents, BIDA or zone registration and trade license.
• Evidence of inward remittance or paid-up capital, particularly for offices and new companies.
• Academic and professional certificates, CV and photographs.
• Board resolution approving the appointment and, for offices, the permission letter.
• e-TIN of the employee once obtained, and tax-related documents for renewals.

Conditions employers should expect

Authorities assess whether the post genuinely needs a foreign national and whether the employer can support the salary. BIDA guidelines expect the proportion of foreign to local staff to stay within reasonable limits and generally prefer that expatriates are engaged in positions where local expertise is not readily available. Permits are issued for a defined period and must be renewed before expiry; renewals usually require proof that income tax on the salary has been deducted and paid.

Security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs runs in parallel. An expatriate can usually work under the permit while clearance is in progress, but an adverse result can lead to cancellation.

Tax and payroll for foreign employees

Salary for work performed in Bangladesh is taxable here under the Income Tax Act 2023, whatever the residency status. The employer deducts TDS from salary and deposits it, and the employee files an annual return. Where part of the package is paid abroad by the parent, it is still taxable in Bangladesh and should be reported. Expatriates may remit a portion of their salary abroad through the employer's bank, following Bangladesh Bank's rules.

• Register the expatriate for an e-TIN early.
• Include housing, car, school fees and home-paid salary in taxable income where applicable.
• Keep payslips, tax challans and bank remittance records for renewals and exit.

How the process works

1. Eligibility checkWe confirm that the employer's registration, capital and headcount support a work permit for the role.
2. Visa recommendationWe apply to BIDA or the zone authority for the visa recommendation so the employee can obtain an E visa.
3. Work permit filingAfter arrival, we file the online work permit application with all supporting documents and follow up queries.
4. Security clearance and visa extensionWe track security clearance and arrange visa extension in line with the permit period.
5. Tax setupWe obtain the employee's e-TIN, set up salary TDS and prepare the annual tax return.
6. Renewal and cancellationWe file renewals before expiry and handle cancellation and final tax clearance when the assignment ends.

Typical timeline: The visa recommendation and work permit each typically take a few weeks from a complete application, and security clearance can take longer, depending on documents and the authority's processing.

How Tax & VAT Associates helps

• Visa recommendation and E visa guidance
• Work permit applications with BIDA, BEZA, BEPZA or the NGO Affairs Bureau
• Security clearance and visa extension follow-up
• Expatriate e-TIN, payroll TDS and annual tax returns
• Work permit renewal calendar and filing
• Cancellation, final tax compliance and exit support

Frequently asked questions

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Last reviewed: 6 October 2026. Bangladesh tax and regulatory rules change with each Finance Act, SRO and authority circular. This page is general guidance; confirm current requirements for your case before filing.