Bangladesh investor visa

The PI category is for foreign investors investing in an industrial or commercial establishment in the private sector, under full foreign ownership or as a joint venture. The key document is a recommendation from BIDA, BEZA, BEPZA, the Hi-Tech Park authority, the ministry concerned or the PPP Authority confirming that the applicant is a bona fide investor.

Investors invited by the government or an investment authority may also obtain a visa on arrival and later convert it to the PI category with a recommendation letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

For the first visa the policy requires the application form, the passport with a copy of the information page and the investment authority's recommendation. Missions also ask for investment-related documents and a BIDA clearance letter. Missions add their own checklist, typically the printed MRV form, photos to their specification, proof of fee payment, the original passport with a copy and, if you apply outside your country of nationality, your residence permit there.

Extensions add the passport pages with the visa and arrival stamp, certification from the investment authority that the investment continues, the business registration particulars of the investee company (certificate of incorporation and tax payment certificate), a work permit if the investor works in the company, and a security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Foreign investors who invest at least USD 100,000 in heavy industry or long-term business can obtain the No Visa Required facility on a certificate from BIDA, BEPZA, BEZA, Bangladesh Bank or another investment authority. The NVR is stamped in the foreign passport in machine-readable form and stays valid as long as the passport is valid; the application fee is USD 80 or the equivalent.

If the passport is renewed, the NVR is transferred to the new passport after payment of the fee.

The spouse, children, adopted children and dependants of a PI holder receive FPI visas for the same period as the investor. They need the form, their passports, a copy of the investor's passport if they travel later and a recommendation letter from the relevant government organisation; employment is prohibited for them.

An investor who works in the company needs a work permit from BIDA, BEZA, BEPZA, the Hi-Tech Park authority or the PPP Authority, and the PI visa is stamped with the condition to apply for it within 15 working days of first entry.