Work permit files for employers hiring foreign staff in Bangladesh
A work permit is the permission a foreign national needs to work for an employer in Bangladesh, and it is separate from the visa used to enter the country. PayrollBangladesh helps employers check the foreign staff ratio, build the document file the authority asks for and keep the 15-day filing window in view, so the application is complete when it is submitted.
When Is a Work Permit Due?
Within 15 days after arrival. BIDA states that the expatriate must submit the work permit application to BIDA within 15 days after arrival, that the application is processed through the BIDA online one stop service portal and that an inter-ministerial committee awards the permit. BIDA also states that companies and commercial offices must hold BIDA registration to appoint foreign nationals.
The 15 days start after the employee arrives on the right visa, so the document file should be ready before the flight. The visa stage itself is covered on our work visa processing page. Employers without a registered entity yet can start with company registration.
Source: BIDA, Procedure for a work permit application in Bangladesh
Permit Routes by Employer
The route depends on where the employer is registered. Companies and offices registered with BIDA file with BIDA, export processing zone enterprises work through BEPZA and NGOs work through the NGO Affairs Bureau. Economic zone enterprises receive the visa recommendation from BEZA, and the permit route is confirmed with BEZA before filing.
BIDA Industrial Companies
Work permits processed through BIDA, within the foreign staff ratio for industrial projects.
- Ratio check against your manpower statement
- BIDA registration certificate and board resolution in the file
- Application through the BIDA online one stop service portal
Branch and Liaison Offices
Branch, liaison and representative offices need a BIDA permission letter and work within the 5:1 ratio, which also covers educational institutes registered with BIDA.
- BIDA permission letter for the office
- Encashment certificate of inward remittance where it applies
- Ratio check of 5 local employees to 1 foreign employee
Export Processing Zones
Work through BEPZA, which lists work permits for foreign nationals among its services.
- Visa recommendation letter from BEPZA
- Current BEPZA checklist confirmed before filing
- Security clearance through the Ministry of Home Affairs
NGOs and NGO Projects
Appointment and approval certificates from the NGO Affairs Bureau, then security clearance.
- NGO Affairs Bureau appointment and approval certificates
- Security clearance through the Ministry of Home Affairs
- Police verification by the Special Branch
Sources: Special Branch, Security clearance for foreign employees; BEPZA, Why BEPZA
Foreign Staff Ratio Limits
It depends on the employer type. BIDA states that industrial projects registered with it can generally employ 10 local workers per foreign worker at the initial stage and 20 during the operational stage. Commercial offices and educational institutes registered with BIDA can employ 5 local workers per foreign worker. That BIDA page sets out no procedure for changing these ratios.
| Employer type | Stage | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial projects registered with BIDA | Initial stage | 10:1 |
| Industrial projects registered with BIDA | Operational stage | 20:1 |
| Branch, liaison and representative offices registered with BIDA | Not stated | 5:1 |
| Educational institutes registered with BIDA | Not stated | 5:1 |
BIDA Work Permit Documents
BIDA lists eleven documents for a work permit application. The list below follows that page in order; because requirements can change and BEPZA, BEZA and the NGO Affairs Bureau keep their own checklists, each file is confirmed against the current list of the relevant authority before submission.
- Permission letter for a branch, liaison or representative office, or the BIDA registration certificate for an industrial undertaking
- Memorandum and articles of association and certificate of incorporation, for locally incorporated industrial projects
- Board resolution naming the expatriate, with nationality and passport number
- Visa recommendation letter issued by BIDA for the expatriate or investor
- Academic qualification and professional experience certificates of the employee
- Service contract or agreement and appointment letter or transfer order
- Copy of the used parts of the employee passport
- Manpower statement listing local and foreign employees with designation, salary break-up, nationality and first appointment date
- Encashment certificate of inward remittance of at least USD 50,000 as initial establishment cost, where applicable
- Updated income tax clearance certificate of the organisation
- Audit report of the company
Source: BIDA, Documents required for a work permit application
Work Permit Process Steps
The process runs in five steps, from confirming the authority to security clearance. The 15-day filing window, the committee decision and security clearance are set by the authorities; the first two steps are the preparation that makes the 15 days workable. Government processing time is outside the control of PayrollBangladesh.
| Step | What happens | Responsible party | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Confirm the authority and the ratio | Match the employer registration to the right authority and check the foreign staff ratio | Employer | BIDA, BEPZA, BEZA or NGO Affairs Bureau |
| 2. Prepare the document file | Collect every document on the current checklist of that authority | Employer | Authority checklist |
| 3. Submit within 15 days after arrival | File the work permit application once the employee has arrived | Employee with employer | BIDA one stop service portal for BIDA cases |
| 4. Receive the permit decision | An inter-ministerial committee awards the permit for BIDA cases | Authorities | Inter-ministerial committee |
| 5. Complete security clearance | Police verification and clearance for the foreign employee | Authorities | Ministry of Home Affairs, Special Branch |
Sources: the BIDA work permit procedure and the Special Branch security clearance page cited above.
Work Permit Support Scope
PayrollBangladesh takes the work permit paperwork off your team so the file is ready inside the 15-day window. The employer stays in charge of the hire, while PayrollBangladesh prepares, checks and follows the file.
- ✓Ratio check. Testing the planned hire against the foreign staff ratio for your employer type before any document is prepared.
- ✓Document file. Building the checklist for your authority and preparing each document so the file is complete at submission.
- ✓Deadline tracking. Keeping the 15-day filing window in view from the employee arrival date.
- ✓Status updates. Following the application with the relevant authority and reporting progress to your team.
- The employer and the employee remain responsible for the accuracy of what they submit.
- Permit decisions, fees and processing times stay with the authorities.
- Legal questions go to a qualified lawyer or the relevant authority.
- The visa stage is handled separately from the work permit file.
Hiring through an Employer of Record? See Employer of Record services.
Employer Work Permit FAQs
These are the questions employers ask most often before filing a work permit for a foreign employee in Bangladesh. Each answer opens with the direct answer and names the official source, so you can check the rule yourself before you plan the hire.
How soon must a work permit application be filed?
Within 15 days after arrival. BIDA states that the expatriate must submit the work permit application to BIDA within 15 days after arrival, through the BIDA online one stop service portal.
Does a company need BIDA registration to hire foreign staff?
Yes, for companies and commercial offices under BIDA. BIDA states that companies and commercial offices must have registration issued by BIDA to appoint foreign nationals.
How many foreign employees can a company hire?
It depends on the employer type. BIDA states that industrial projects registered with it can generally employ foreign workers at 10 to 1 at the initial stage and 20 to 1 during the operational stage, and commercial offices and educational institutes at 5 to 1.
Who approves a work permit filed with BIDA?
An inter-ministerial committee. BIDA states that the work permit application is processed through its online one stop service portal and that an inter-ministerial committee awards the permit.
Do export processing zone companies apply to BIDA?
No, they work through BEPZA. BEPZA lists work permits for foreign nationals among the services it provides to enterprises in its zones.
Is the encashment certificate always required?
Not in every case. BIDA lists an encashment certificate of inward remittance of at least USD 50,000 as initial establishment cost for branch, liaison and representative offices and for locally incorporated, joint venture and fully foreign-owned companies, where applicable.
Is security clearance part of the work permit process?
Yes. The Special Branch of Bangladesh Police states that foreign employees working in Bangladesh need security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, with police verification handled by its SCO Wing.
How long does a work permit take?
No fixed timeline is promised. Timing depends on the authority, the completeness of the file and the security clearance, and government processing is outside the control of PayrollBangladesh.
What happens after I send an enquiry?
PayrollBangladesh starts by reviewing your case in four steps:
- You share the employer registration, the role, the employee nationality and the planned arrival date.
- PayrollBangladesh confirms the authority and checks the foreign staff ratio.
- The document checklist and the scope of support are agreed.
- Document preparation begins.
Does PayrollBangladesh give legal advice on work permits?
No. PayrollBangladesh supports the work permit paperwork, but this page is general information, and specific legal questions should be confirmed with a qualified lawyer or the relevant authority.
Official references for this page
This summary is general information, not legal advice. Each rule above comes from the official page listed here.
- Filing and approval. BIDA work permit procedure: application within 15 days after arrival, processing through the BIDA online one stop service portal, award by an inter-ministerial committee, and BIDA registration required to appoint foreign nationals. The same page points to the Guideline 2011 for branch, liaison and representative offices and work permits.
- Foreign worker ratios. BIDA foreign worker ratios: 10:1 at the initial stage and 20:1 during the operational stage for industrial projects, and 5:1 for commercial offices and educational institutes.
- Documents. BIDA document list: the eleven documents listed in the documents section.
- Security clearance. Special Branch security clearance: clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, with police verification by the SCO Wing of the Special Branch.
- Export processing zones. BEPZA services: work permits for foreign nationals in export processing zones.
Reviewed by Romana Akter Shila
Ready for a Work Permit?
Send the employer registration, the role, the employee nationality and the planned arrival date. PayrollBangladesh reviews the details and replies with the authority involved, the result of the ratio check, the document checklist and the next steps for preparing the work permit file before the 15-day window starts.