Why it matters now

Bangladesh work permit

Every foreign national working for a company in Bangladesh needs a Bangladesh work permit, and since 23 August 2026 that permit is administered by Invest Bangladesh, the authority formed under the Invest Bangladesh Act 2026 from the merger of BIDA, BEZA and the PPP Authority [1]. Applications still run through the One Stop Service, where a new permit, an extension, an amendment and a cancellation are separate filings, each with its own document list, fee and service time [2]. The expatriate is expected to apply within 15 days of arriving in Bangladesh [3], so the clock starts before most employers have finished onboarding.

The step that most often catches employers out is security clearance. From 1 October 2025, security clearance applications for work permits must be filed only through the One Stop Service portal [7]. Clearance is treated as granted if no objection is raised within 21 working days, but if the application is not made within the timeframe stated in the work permit, the permit is automatically cancelled [6]. A missed window therefore does not lead to a late fee. It leads to a cancelled permit, a foreign employee who cannot lawfully keep working and a fresh application.

Permits are normally issued for one year at a time, with extensions generally allowed up to five years in total [4], and the government has said it is tightening monitoring of foreign workers who stay beyond five years by moving between companies in the same group [8]. Each extension needs a fresh set of papers, including the expatriate's income tax clearance, an up-to-date encashment certificate and a statement of local and foreign staff [5]. With several expatriates on different cycles, a shared calendar is rarely enough to keep every filing on time.

How it works

Bangladesh work permit, step by step

1. Intake and file auditAt the start

   We review each expatriate's passport, visa, current permit, clearance status and tax papers, confirm which filings are due, and flag any permit already at risk because a window has passed or a required document is missing.

2. Build the deadline registerAt the start

   We enter every arrival, clearance, permit and visa date into a register shared with your HR team, agree who receives reminders, and set internal cut-off dates that leave time to collect signatures, board resolutions and tax certificates.

3. File each Bangladesh work permit applicationAs each date falls due

   We prepare and submit new, extension, amendment or cancellation applications on the One Stop Service. Invest Bangladesh lists 16 working days for a new permit, subject to committee approval, and 3 days for an amendment or cancellation [2].

4. File and track security clearanceWithin the window in each permit

   We file the clearance application on the portal within the period stated in the permit, monitor the 21-working-day period in which objections can be raised [6], and respond quickly to any query so the permit is not cancelled.

5. Review and reportMonthly and quarterly

   We send a written update on every filing, refresh the register after each approval, and issue the quarterly compliance note so your team and your regional office can see the position for every expatriate at a glance.