Dhaka revamps visa regime to boost investment

Bangladesh has overhauled its visa regime to make entry and immigration procedures more investor- and tourism-friendly while strengthening compliance and national security measures.

The new Visa Policy 2026, approved at the latest Cabinet meeting, replaces the previous framework and introduces 34 visa categories with clearly defined eligibility requirements, validity periods, extension provisions and compliance conditions.

The Immigration Wing of the Ministry of Home Affairs will issue a forwarding letter soon.

The revamped policy creates dedicated visa facilities for foreign investors, businesspeople, development partners, employees and technical experts, alongside provisions for tourists, medical visitors, humanitarian workers and religious students.

Under the new framework, Business (B) visas may be issued for up to one year, allowing a maximum stay of 90 days per entry. 

The validity may be extended to two years. However, business visa holders will not be allowed to undertake employment in Bangladesh.

A separate Private Investor (PI) category has been introduced for foreign nationals investing in industrial or commercial enterprises.

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Foreign investors committing at least $100,000, certified by Bangladesh Bank, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) or Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), may qualify for a multi-year visa or a No Visa Required (NVR) facility.

The policy also provides dedicated categories for development partners, foreign employees and technical experts.

Experts involved in installation, commissioning and project monitoring may obtain visas under the E3 category for up to six months, subject to extension in line with approved work permits.

Visa-on-arrival facilities streamlined

To facilitate tourism and urgent business travel, the government has retained and streamlined Visa on Arrival (VoA) facilities. A 30-day, single-entry VoA may be available at designated entry points for investors, official guests and citizens of countries including the UK, US, EU member states, Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, subject to conditions such as a return ticket and proof of sufficient funds.

The policy also provides facilities for medical tourism, humanitarian activities and religious studies.
Medical tourism visas may initially be issued for up to three months and extended for up to one year.
Stricter immigration compliance

While facilitating legitimate travel and investment, the new policy introduces tougher measures against immigration violations.

Foreign nationals will not be allowed to undertake unauthorised employment while holding tourist, business, student or dependent visas. Violations may lead to cancellation of visas.

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Employers hiring foreign nationals without proper authorisation may face fines of Tk1 lakh for a first offence and Tk2 lakh for subsequent offences.

Foreign workers are required to apply for work permits through the relevant authorities, including BIDA, BEPZA or the NGO Affairs Bureau, within 15 working days of entering Bangladesh.

The policy has also formalised penalties for visa overstays. The penalty is Tk1,000 per day for overstays of one to 15 days, Tk2,000 per day for 16 to 90 days and Tk3,000 per day for overstays exceeding 90 days.

Longer overstays may also result in prosecution under the Foreigners Act 1946, while waivers may be considered in cases involving certified medical emergencies or natural disasters.

The new framework further provides for the management of Machine-Readable Visas and the development of an electronic visa system, with diplomatic missions abroad and the Department of Immigration and Passports playing key roles.

The government expects the revamped regime to ease entry for genuine investors, professionals and visitors while ensuring stronger oversight of foreign nationals and greater compliance with Bangladesh’s immigration and security requirements.