Process of Issuing Work Permit in Bangladesh
Work permit is mandatory for every foreign national seeking employment in Bangladesh. Three government authorities issue work permit in Bangladesh.
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For private sector industrial enterprise, branch office and liaison office, outside of Export Processing Zone (EPZ) – Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
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For employment of foreign national in the EPZ – Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA).
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For employment of foreign national in any NGO – NGO Affairs Bureau.
WORK PERMIT ISSUED BY BIDA
Private sector industrial enterprises, branch office, liaison/representative office desiring to employ foreign nationals are required to apply to BIDA in their prescribed from. While issuing work permit, BIDA usually follows the following guidelines
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Only nationals of countries recognized by Bangladesh are considered for employment.
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Employment of expatriate personnel is considered only in industrial/commercial establishments which are sanctioned/registered by the appropriate authority.
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Employment of foreign nationals is normally considered for the job for which local experts/technicians are not available.
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Persons below 18 years of age are not eligible for employment.
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A decision of the board of directors of the concerned company for new employment/employment extension is to be furnished in each case.
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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.
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Initially, employment of any foreign national is considered for a term of one year, which may be extended on the basis of merit of the case.
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Security clearance will be required from Ministry of Home Affairs.
PROCESS OF ISSUING WORK PERMIT BY BIDA
FIRST STEP: PUBLICATION OF NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENT
The employer is required to publish a newspaper advertisement or online advertisement for the recruitment.
- This requirement is not always mandatory.
SECOND STEP: APPLICATION FOR ISSUANCE OF E-VISA RECOMMENDATION
Local sponsor (Liaison/Branch Office or local company) will apply to BIDA through online for issuance of E visa recommendation in favor of the desired foreign national. The following documents are usually required for this application:
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Copy of permission letter for branch/liaison/representative office or Memorandum of articles of association and certificate of incorporation in case of locally incorporated company.
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Board Resolution for employment of foreign nation(s) mentioning Expatriate Name, Nationality & Passport Number.
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Photograph of the Expatriate.
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Copy of passport of the Expatriate/Investor/Employee (Whole of the used part).
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Appointment Letter/transfer order/service contract or agreement for expatriate/investors.
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Certificate of all academic qualification & professional experience for the employees.
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Paper clipping showing advertisement made for recruitment of local personal prior to appointment of the expatriate(s).
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Specific activities of the company.
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Statement of manpower showing list of local and expatriate personal employed with designation, salary break up, nationality and date of first appointment. (Latest Copy).
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Encashment certificate of inward remittance of minimum US $50,000.00 as initial establishment cost for branch/liaison/representative office and locally incorporated/ joint venture and 100% foreign ownership companies.
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Up to date Income tax clearance certificate (Organization).
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Attachment of company’s comments as per remarks (if any)
NB: All documents shall have to be attested by the Chairman/ CEO / Managing director/ Country Manager/ Chief executive of the Company/ firms.
THIRD STEP: APPLICATION FOR E VISA IN THE RESPECTIVE BANGLADESH EMBASSY OR HIGH COMMISSION
Once BIDA issue the E visa recommendation, the foreign national should apply for E visa in the respective Bangladesh Embassy or High Commission. Once the E visa is issued, the foreign national should enter Bangladesh with the E visa.
FORTH STEP: APPLICATION FOR WORK PERMIT IN BANGLADESH
Within 15 days from the date of arrival of the foreign national, application for work permit should be submitted to BIDA. A fee of BDT 5,000 is applicable in this regard.
The following papers/documents are required for new work permit
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All documents stated in second step.
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Attested photocopy of passport with arrival stamp E type visa for employee.
FIFTH STEP: SECURITY CLEARANCE
Once work permit is issued by BIDA, a copy of the work permit would then sent letter to Ministry of Home Affairs for security clearance by BIDA. After some scrutiny, security clearance will be issued.