Visa & Residency

Bangladesh offers several visa categories for foreign nationals, but unlike many Southeast Asian countries, there is no freelancer or digital nomad visa. Most expats enter on employment visas sponsored by their employer, or on business visas for short-term engagements. The visa system is managed through the Bangladesh Online MRV Portal, and most applications require documentation from a Bangladeshi sponsor.

The employment visa is the most common route for expats working in Bangladesh. Your employer must initiate the work permit application through BIDA (Bangladesh Investment Development Authority). The process involves proving that the position cannot be filled by a local candidate, and maintaining the mandatory 5:1 local-to-foreign employee ratio. Work permits are typically issued for 1–2 years and are renewable.

Tourist visas allow stays of 30–90 days and can be obtained on arrival for some nationalities or in advance from Bangladeshi embassies. Business visas permit multiple entries and are suitable for short-term engagements but do not allow formal employment. Visa extensions are possible through the Department of Immigration and Passports in Dhaka.

Bangladesh is home to a large NGO and international development sector, with organizations like BRAC, Grameen Bank, and dozens of international NGOs headquartered in Dhaka. Working for registered NGOs requires a specific visa category and approval from the NGO Affairs Bureau. This is one of the most common pathways for expats in Bangladesh.