Why is Work Permit Needed?
In Bangladesh, a work permit is crucial for several specific reasons tied to the country’s economic and social policies. One primary reason is the protection of the local labor market. By requiring work permits, the Bangladeshi government ensures that foreign nationals are employed only in positions where there is a clear shortage of local expertise. This approach helps prioritize employment opportunities for Bangladeshi citizens, particularly in a country with a large and growing workforce.
Another key aspect is economic regulation. Bangladesh uses the work permit system to monitor the number of foreign workers and the sectors they are employed in. This control is essential for maintaining economic stability and ensuring that the presence of foreign workers aligns with national economic goals. For instance, foreign workers are often employed in the burgeoning IT sector, where their skills can contribute significantly to economic growth without displacing local talent.
Security considerations also play a significant role in the requirement for work permits. The process includes thorough background checks and verification of qualifications, which help prevent any potential security threats and ensure that only qualified individuals are allowed to work in the country. This scrutiny is vital for maintaining national security and public safety.
Furthermore, the work permit system ensures that foreign workers are treated fairly and according to Bangladeshi labor laws. This includes ensuring that they receive fair wages, proper working conditions, and social security benefits. This legal framework helps prevent the exploitation of foreign workers and integrates them into the formal economy, contributing to overall economic development.
About the Bangladesh Job Market
Here are a few details about Bangladesh’s job market scenario for expats:
Number of Expats:
500,000
Expats Job Websites:
Popular Industries for Expats:
Textile and garment industry, Leather products, Infrastructure, Technology, Pharmaceuticals, Light engineering, Agriculture processing and Exports.
Types of Bangladesh Work Visa
While getting a work permit visa from Bangladesh is relatively easy, there are different types of work permits available. These visas depend on the purpose and length of your visit here.
Bangladesh work permit is essentially divided into Long Term Visas (allow stay for more than 3 to 6 months) and Short Term Visas (Validity of 3 days to 3-6 months).
Employment or Work Visa:
A Bangladesh work permit is for a person who is appointed in any government/semi-government body or by autonomous bodies in Bangladesh.
Those who are employed in local or foreign government offices or commercial organizations also come in this category.
It also includes individuals who are working with registered NGOs in the country. It is initially valid for three months and can extend up to 3 years later.
Business Visa:
A business visa is issued to a businessperson who wants to visit Bangladesh for trade, commerce or investment. The applicant can be given this visa against an invitation letter from a recognized business organization or a local sponsor.
With a business visa, you can visit sites for business establishment, meet with other employees or set up a company in Bangladesh.
The time duration of your visa is dependent on the purpose of your visit.
Investment Visa:
The primary purpose of this visa is to allow an individual to conduct business meetings pertaining to investments in the country.
It is valid for a year allowing a maximum of 3 visits per month.
Journalist Visa:
As the name suggests, it is offered to newspaper/magazines, TV, or radio journalists for the purpose of their professional duty in the country.
NGO Visa:
For those appointed with a registered NGO in Bangladesh, apply for this work permit visa from Bangladesh.
Research Visa:
This is applicable for foreigners who are willing to participate in research, training or internship programmes in the country.
The aforementioned project has to be sanctioned by a government-approved organization in Bangladesh.
Requirements for Bangladesh Work Permit
Before you go on to find a work visa agency in Bangladesh, carefully go through the list of requirements. Since each work permit is specific to the purpose of the visit, the requirements vary as well..
- For an employment visa, a recommendation letter from Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA)/ Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA) is necessary.
- A business visa requires an invitation letter from Bangladesh, along with a letter from the company that is sending the applicant to the country.
- For an investor visa, there should be a recommendation letter from the Board of Investment (BOI) or BEPZA.
- NGO workers’ visa requires a permission letter from NGO Affairs Bureau, Bangladesh.
- Journalist visas require application forms along with a list of equipment the applicant will be carrying with them.
A work permit visa agent in Bangladesh will guide you through the list of documents for your type of work permit. Here’s a general checklist of documents required for Bangladesh work permit:
- Valid passport
- Two passport-size photographs
- Duly filled visa application form
- Visa fee payment receipt
- Appointment letter
- Letter of invitation from respective authorities
- Proof of travel arrangements
- Bank statements
- Tax payment certificate
There is also a provision for the applicant’s passport to be returned via post. In that case, they must provide a self-addressed, prepaid envelope.
Bangladesh Work Permit Application Process
It is important to choose the right category of visa to get a work permit visa from Bangladesh, and then follow the procedure dutifully.
- Fill the visa application form on the official website of Department of Immigration & Passports in Bangladesh
- Attach your photos
- Pay the fees
- Print the completed form and submit it to the nearest Visa office
- Wait till your application is processed
- You can collect the visa from the Bangladesh embassy
- A Bangladesh work visa for Indians can be applied through and collected via a visa agent.
Timeframe for Bangladesh Work Permit Application
The processing time for a Bangladesh work visa depends on the embassy. It can take at least 5 working days to a maximum of 1-2 weeks to get your visa.
How Does Multiplier Help With Work Permit?
As a global EOR solution, Multiplier has local entities in over 100+ countries. Hence, we can smoothen the process of onboarding people from around the world. Our HR suite led by qualified experts guarantees end-to-end solutions to all users.
Using our SaaS-based solution, you can request a Bangladesh work permit instead of scouting for a work permit visa agent in Bangladesh. Our in-house experts will take care of the application process, handling all the documentation and costs. You will be kept in loop with the progress at every step.