Investor Visa
The Bangladesh Investor Visa (P1/PI category) enables foreign nationals to reside in Bangladesh for the purpose of investing in, establishing, or managing industrial and commercial enterprises. The program is administered by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and is governed by the Foreign Private Investment (Promotion and Protection) Act, 1980, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Act, 2016, and the National Industrial Policy 2022. BIDA serves as the apex investment promotion agency, processing visa recommendations through its digital One-Stop Service (OSS) portal.
Bangladesh offers a tiered immigration framework linked to investment size: the standard investor visa for certified investors, permanent residency for investments of USD 75,000 or more (non-repatriable), citizenship eligibility for USD 500,000 or more, and a "No Visa Required" (NVR) endorsement for USD 5,000,000 or more.
- Foreign national intending to invest in, establish, or manage a private sector enterprise in Bangladesh
- Genuine investor status certified by BIDA (for general private sector), BEPZA (for Export Processing Zones), or BEZA (for Economic Zones)
- No minimum investment threshold for the standard visa — eligibility is based on certified investor status
- For permanent residency: minimum non-repatriable investment of USD 75,000
- For citizenship eligibility: minimum non-repatriable investment of USD 500,000, or transfer of USD 1,000,000 to a recognized financial institution
- For NVR endorsement: proof of USD 5,000,000 investment, issued by BIDA, BEPZA, or BEZA
- No educational or professional qualifications required
- Completed online visa application form via visa.gov.bd
- Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
- Two passport photographs (45x35mm, white background, not older than 6 months)
- Visa fee payment receipt
- BIDA, BEPZA, or BEZA recommendation letter confirming genuine investor status
- Investment/business testimonial from a recognized trade association in the applicant's home country
- Recommendation letter from a local (Bangladesh) sponsor
- Company registration documents: certificate of incorporation, trade license, TIN certificate
- Memorandum and Articles of Association and Certificate of Incorporation signed by shareholders
- Board resolution authorizing the foreign national to operate in Bangladesh
The initial investor visa is issued for up to 1 year with single, double, or multiple entry options. Extensions of up to 5 years can be obtained from the Department of Immigration and Passport (DIP). Prospective investors may receive a 3-year multiple-entry visa under the National Industrial Policy. The NVR endorsement grants unlimited entries and stay for the lifetime of the passport.
Renewal requires a security clearance, a request from the sponsoring organization, and a BIDA/BEPZA/BEZA recommendation confirming active investment status.
Bangladesh operates three investment zones with separate issuing authorities:
- General private sector — administered by BIDA; permits 100% foreign ownership in most sectors or joint ventures
- Export Processing Zones (EPZ) — administered by BEPZA
- Economic Zones — administered by BEZA
Foreign investors establishing branch, liaison, or representative offices must register with BIDA and maintain a minimum foreign exchange deposit of USD 50,000. The Foreign Private Investment (Promotion and Protection) Act, 1980 guarantees protection against nationalization and expropriation, and the right to repatriate profits, dividends, and capital proceeds.
Investor visa holders must apply for a work permit from the relevant authority (BIDA, BEPZA, or BEZA) within 15 days of entry into Bangladesh. The work permit authorizes investment and management activities related to the enterprise. Applications are submitted via the BIDA OSS portal, with processing targeted at approximately 16 working days.
Bangladesh levies income tax on residents and non-residents under the Income Tax Act, 2023. The corporate income tax rate is 27.5% for non-listed companies and 22.5% for publicly traded companies. Bangladesh has concluded over 30 Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs). Profits, dividends, and salaries earned from investments are freely repatriable; however, the principal investment amount for permanent residency and citizenship pathways is non-repatriable.
The process involves multiple agencies:
- Register the investment project with BIDA, BEPZA, or BEZA depending on the investment zone.
- Obtain a BIDA recommendation letter via the One-Stop Service (OSS) portal at bidaquickserv.org. The recommendation is processed within 24 hours when all documents are submitted.
- Apply for the investor visa online through the Bangladesh MRV Portal at visa.gov.bd, or at a Bangladesh embassy, high commission, or consulate abroad. Standard processing takes at least 7 working days. Fees are determined by reciprocity with the applicant's home country.
- Apply for a work permit within 15 days of arrival, via the BIDA OSS portal.
For visa extensions inside Bangladesh, apply to the Department of Immigration and Passport (DIP).
Other Visa Programs in Asia
Country↑ | Program↕ | Income↕ | Investment↕ | Funds Required↕ | Capital Required↕ | Duration↕ | Dependants↕ | Citizenship↕ | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan | Highly Skilled Migrant Programme | — | — | — | — | 3 years — 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan | Investor Temporary Residence Permit | — | AZN 100,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 3 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇧🇭 Bahrain | Golden Residency Visa for Property Owners | — | BHD 130,000 one-time | — | — | 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇧🇭 Bahrain | Golden Residency Visa for Talented Individuals | — | — | — | — | 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇧🇭 Bahrain | Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit (Investor) | — | BHD 100,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇧🇭 Bahrain | Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit (Property Owner) | — | BHD 50,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇧🇭 Bahrain | Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit (Retired Foreigner) | BHD 500 / month | — | — | — | 2 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇧🇩 Bangladesh | Investor Visa | — | $75,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇧🇹 Bhutan | Digital Nomad Residence Programme | No minimum income thresho... | — | — | — | 1 year — 2 years | No | — | ||
🇧🇹 Bhutan | Investor Card | — | BTN 15,000,000 one-time | — | — | 3 years | Yes | Yes (20yr) | ||
🇰🇭 Cambodia | Cambodia My 2nd Home (CM2H) | — | $100,000 one-time | — | — | 10 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇰🇭 Cambodia | Retirement Visa (ER Extension of Stay) | $1,500 / month | — | — | — | 1 month — 1 year | No | Yes | ||
🇨🇳 China | Permanent Residence Permit (Investment Category) | — | $500,000 one-time | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇨🇳 China | Private Affairs Residence Permit (Entrepreneurship) | — | — | — | CN¥50,000 one-time | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇬🇪 Georgia | Investment Residence Permit | — | $300,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes (10yr) | ||
🇬🇪 Georgia | IT Residence Permit | $25,000 / year | — | — | — | 3 years | Yes | Yes (10yr) | ||
🇬🇪 Georgia | Remotely from Georgia | $2,000 / month | — | — | — | 6 months — 1 year | Yes | — | ||
🇬🇪 Georgia | Short-Term Residence Permit (Property Ownership) | — | $150,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year | Yes | Yes | ||
🇭🇰 Hong Kong | Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs | — | — | — | No fixed minimum; must de... | 3 years | Yes | — | ||
🇭🇰 Hong Kong | New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme | — | HK$30,000,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — Permanent | Yes | — | ||
🇭🇰 Hong Kong | Quality Migrant Admission Scheme | — | — | — | — | 3 years — 8 years | Yes | — | ||
🇭🇰 Hong Kong | Top Talent Pass Scheme | HK$2,500,000 / year | — | — | — | 2 years — 3 years | Yes | — | ||
🇮🇳 India | Permanent Residency Status for Foreign Investors | — | ₹100,000,000 one-time | — | — | 10 years — 20 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇮🇩 Indonesia | Golden Visa (Global Talent) | $2,000 / month | — | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇮🇩 Indonesia | Golden Visa (Investor) | — | $350,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇮🇩 Indonesia | Remote Worker KITAS | $60,000 / year | — | — | — | 1 year — 2 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇮🇩 Indonesia | Retirement KITAS | $1,500 / month | — | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇮🇩 Indonesia | Silver Hair Visa | $3,000 / month | — | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | — | ||
🇮🇷 Iran | Investor Residence Permit | — | €100,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇮🇷 Iran | Special Residence Permit for Non-Iranian Elites | — | — | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇮🇶 Iraq | Investment Residency | — | No fixed minimum investme... | — | — | 1 year | No | Yes | ||
🇮🇱 Israel | B/5 Investor Visa | — | $220,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇮🇱 Israel | Innovation Visa for Foreign Entrepreneurs | — | — | — | No minimum capital requir... | 1 year — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇯🇵 Japan | Business Manager Visa | — | — | — | ¥30,000,000 one-time | 6 months — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇯🇵 Japan | Designated Activities (Long Stay for Sightseeing and Recreation) | ¥30,000,000 one-time | — | — | — | 6 months — 1 year | Yes | No | ||
🇯🇵 Japan | Digital Nomad Visa | ¥10,000,000 / year | — | — | — | 6 months | Yes | No | ||
🇯🇵 Japan | Future Creation Individual Visa (J-Find) | — | — | — | — | 6 months — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇯🇵 Japan | Startup Visa | — | — | — | No fixed minimum capital ... | 1 year — 2 years | No | — | ||
🇯🇴 Jordan | Annual Residence Permit Based on Bank Deposit | JOD 10,000 one-time | — | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇯🇴 Jordan | Citizenship by Investment | — | JOD 500,000 one-time | — | — | 3 years — Permanent | Yes | Yes (3yr) | ||
🇯🇴 Jordan | Residency by Investment | — | JOD 200,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | A6 Investor Visa (Golden Visa) | — | $300,000 one-time | — | — | 10 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | C5 Business Immigrant Visa | — | — | — | No minimum capital for sm... | 90 days — 2 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | Digital Nomad Residency | No minimum income require... | — | — | — | 1 year — 10 years | No | — | ||
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | Neo Nomad Visa | $3,000 / month | — | — | — | 1 year — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | Permanent Residence Visa for In-Demand Professions | — | — | — | — | 90 days — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇰🇼 Kuwait | Investor Residency Permit | — | No fixed minimum — KDIPA ... | — | — | 5 years — 15 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan | Digital Nomad Status | No fixed minimum income t... | — | — | — | 60 days — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan | Investment Visa | — | KGS 10,000,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | — | ||
🇱🇦 Laos | Investor Visa (NI-B2) | — | No universal fixed minimu... | — | — | 3 months — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇱🇧 Lebanon | Annual Residence Permit (Cash Bond Deposit) | Cash bond of 1,500,000,00... | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇱🇧 Lebanon | Permanent Residence Permit (Financial Independence) | Cash guarantee of 4,500,0... | — | — | — | 3 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇲🇴 Macau | Major Investment Temporary Residency | — | No fixed statutory minimu... | — | — | 18 months — 3 years | Yes | — | ||
🇲🇴 Macau | Talent Recruitment Residence Permit | — | — | — | — | 3 years — 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇲🇾 Malaysia | DE Rantau Nomad Pass | $2,000 / month | — | — | — | 3 months — 2 years | Yes | No | ||
🇲🇾 Malaysia | Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) | — | MYR 675,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 20 years | Yes | No | ||
🇲🇾 Malaysia | Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme (MTEP) | — | — | — | MYR 50,000 one-time | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇲🇾 Malaysia | Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) | — | MYR 1,000,000 one-time | — | — | 20 years | Yes | — | ||
🇲🇾 Malaysia | Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T) | MYR 15,000 / month | — | — | — | 10 years | Yes | — | ||
🇲🇻 Maldives | Corporate Resident Visa | — | $250,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years | Yes | No | ||
🇲🇳 Mongolia | Investor Visa | — | $100,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 3 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇳🇵 Nepal | Residential Visa for Investors | — | $100,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year | Yes | Yes | ||
🇳🇵 Nepal | Residential Visa for Persons of Exceptional Merit | — | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | No | ||
🇳🇵 Nepal | Residential Visa for Retirees | $20,000 / year | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | No | ||
🇴🇲 Oman | Golden Residency Program | — | OMR 250,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇴🇲 Oman | Retiree Residence Card | OMR 4,000 / month | — | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇵🇰 Pakistan | Business-Investor Visa | — | $50,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇵🇰 Pakistan | Long-Term Residency (LTR) | — | $50,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇵🇭 Philippines | Digital Nomad Visa | $2,000 / month | — | — | — | 1 year — 2 years | No | — | ||
🇵🇭 Philippines | Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV) | — | $75,000 one-time | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes (10yr) | ||
🇵🇭 Philippines | Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) | $800 / month | — | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇶🇦 Qatar | Mustaqel Visa (Entrepreneur) | — | — | — | QAR 250,000 one-time | 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇶🇦 Qatar | Mustaqel Visa (Talent) | — | — | — | — | 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇶🇦 Qatar | Real Estate Investment Residency | — | QAR 730,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Entrepreneur Residency | — | — | — | SAR 400,000 one-time | 5 years — Permanent | Yes | No | ||
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Gifted Premium Residency | — | — | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Investor Residency | — | SAR 7,000,000 one-time | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Real Estate Owner Residency | — | SAR 4,000,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year | Yes | Yes | ||
🇸🇬 Singapore | EntrePass (Entrepreneur Pass) | — | — | — | SGD 100,000 one-time | 1 year — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇸🇬 Singapore | Global Investor Programme (GIP) | — | SGD 10,000,000 one-time | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes (2yr) | ||
🇸🇬 Singapore | Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) | SGD 30,000 / month | — | — | — | 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇸🇬 Singapore | Tech.Pass | SGD 22,500 / month | — | — | — | 2 years — 4 years | Yes | — | ||
🇰🇷 South Korea | D-10 Job Seeker Visa | — | — | Must demonstrate sufficie... | — | 6 months — 1 year | No | — | ||
🇰🇷 South Korea | Immigrant Investor Scheme for Public Business | — | ₩1,500,000,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — Permanent | Yes | — | ||
🇰🇷 South Korea | Permanent Residence for Overseas Pension Beneficiaries | $6,083 / month | — | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇰🇷 South Korea | Technology Startup Visa | — | — | — | No fixed minimum capital ... | 1 year — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇰🇷 South Korea | Tourism and Leisure Facility Investment Immigration | — | ₩1,000,000,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — Permanent | Yes | — | ||
🇰🇷 South Korea | Workation (Digital Nomad) Visa | $6,083 / month | — | — | — | 1 year — 2 years | Yes | No | ||
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Colombo Port City Investor Visa | — | $100,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Condominium Investment Visa | — | $75,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Digital Nomad Visa | $2,000 / month | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | No | ||
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Golden Paradise Residence Visa | — | $100,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Individual Investor Residence Visa | — | $100,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇸🇾 Syria | Investment Residency Permit | — | No fixed minimum threshol... | — | — | 1 year — Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇼 Taiwan | Digital Nomad Visitor Visa | $40,000 / year | — | — | — | 6 months — 2 years | No | Yes | ||
🇹🇼 Taiwan | Employment Gold Card | — | — | — | — | 1 year — 3 years | Yes | Yes (3yr) | ||
🇹🇼 Taiwan | Entrepreneur Visa | — | — | — | NT$2,000,000 one-time | 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇼 Taiwan | Investor Resident Visa | — | $200,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇼 Taiwan | Plum Blossom Card (Investment APRC) | — | NT$15,000,000 one-time | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇯 Tajikistan | Investor Visa (Category C) | — | $500,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) | THB 500,000 / funds | — | — | — | 180 days — 5 years | Yes | No | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | Long-Term Resident Visa (Work-from-Thailand Professionals) | $80,000 / year | — | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | LTR Visa (Wealthy Global Citizens) | — | $500,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | LTR Visa (Wealthy Pensioners) | $80,000 / year | — | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | Non-Immigrant Visa (Investment) | — | THB 10,000,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | Non-Immigrant Visa O-A (Long Stay) | THB 65,000 / month | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | Non-Immigrant Visa O-X (Long Stay 10 Years) | THB 3,000,000 one-time | — | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | SMART Visa S (Startup) | — | — | — | THB 600,000 one-time | 6 months — 2 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇱 Timor-Leste | Business Visa Class II | — | — | — | No minimum capital thresh... | 6 months — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇱 Timor-Leste | Investor Residence Authorization | — | $1,500,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — Permanent | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇷 Turkey | Citizenship by Investment | — | $400,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇷 Turkey | Digital Nomad Visa | $3,000 / month | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇷 Turkey | Short-Term Residence Permit (Tourism Purpose) | $1,200 / month | — | — | — | 6 months — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇷 Turkey | Turkiye TechVisa (Startup) | — | — | — | — | 3 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇷 Turkey | Turquoise Card | — | — | — | — | 3 years — Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇲 Turkmenistan | Investor Residence Permit | — | $500,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes (7yr) | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Golden Visa (Entrepreneur) | — | — | — | AED 500,000 one-time | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Golden Visa (Investor) | — | AED 2,000,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Golden Visa (Talented Individuals) | — | — | — | — | 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Green Visa (Freelancer / Self-Employed) | AED 360,000 / year | — | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Green Visa (Investor/Partner) | — | AED 1,000,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Job Exploration Visa | — | — | Must prove sufficient fun... | — | 60 days | No | — | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Retirement Visa | AED 20,000 / month | — | — | — | 5 years | Yes | No | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Virtual Work Residence Permit | $3,500 / month | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | No | ||
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | Golden Visa | — | $250,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years | Yes | No | ||
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | Investment Visa | — | $280,500 one-time | — | — | 3 years — Permanent | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | IT Visa | $2,500 / month | — | — | — | 1 year — 3 years | Yes | — | ||
🇻🇳 Vietnam | Investor Visa (DT1-DT4) | — | ₫3,000,000,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 10 years | Yes | — | ||
🇻🇳 Vietnam | Special Visa Exemption Card | — | — | — | — | 5 years | No | Yes |