Immigration & Visa

Are there any restrictions for any nationality to obtain a Bangladesh visa?

There is no restriction except for nationals from the State of Israel.

What is the visa process for employment visa and Business visa in Bangladesh?

Prior to arrival in Bangladesh:

E visa: Employer starts processing to obtain E visa recommendation letter from BIDA (the issuing authority) on receipt of necessary documents from employee. Employer will send a letter requesting the concern embassy to issue E visa along with copy of E visa recommendation letter issued by BIDA, copy of appointment letter with an advice to the employee to apply for E visa. Normally, Bangladeshi Missions aboard issue E visa with validity of 90 days from the date of arrival.

B visa: Any person can apply to Bangladeshi Embassy for B visa attaching a copy of invitation letter from the company inviting him to visit Bangladesh along with company information. Normally, Bangladesh Missions aboard issue 30 days B visa to the applicant.

While in Bangladesh:

E visa: Employee needs to extend his E visa before expiry of his existing E visa. Employer needs to enclose copy of work permit/ documentary evidence of application for work permit and copy of security clearance with E visa extension application. In case of non-availability of security clearance, E visa will be extended for 90 days only. On expiry of extended 90 days E visa employer has to apply for next extension on receipt of security clearance and this time applicant will get E visa extension matching with work permit validity.

B visa: On expiry of existing B visa, the holder can apply for B visa extension to Bangladesh Immigration authority attaching copy of police clearance. Normally, Bangladesh Immigration authority grants 30 days B visa extension to applicant. In case of refusal by of clearance by the authority, applicant will get exit visa. Applicant has to leave Bangladesh within 7 days of getting exit visa.

Can Business visa convert to E-visa?

Yes, a business visa can be converted to an E visa. But it is a complicated process to obtain permission in relation to visa category change from the Ministry of Home Affairs. It takes around 30 to 45 working days. On receipt of approval for a visa category change from the Home Ministry, the employer has to apply to BIDA for a work permit based on the date of arrival in Bangladesh. The Home Ministry may reject any application for a visa category change.

When can an expat start his work in Bangladesh?

An applicant for a work permit can commence his work immediately on arrival in Bangladesh, only if he arrives with an E-visa. Immediately on his arrival in Bangladesh, the employer will apply for his work permit, and this is usually issued with effect from his arrival in Bangladesh. The work permit itself can take a month to be processed.

How many days are needed to issue a work permit for an expat?

It may take around 30 workdays to obtain a work permit.

How many days are needed for a visa extension or visa conversion?

E visa extension: It takes around 5 to 7 workdays.
B visa extension: It takes around 30 working days.
Visa category change: It takes around 30 to 45 working days.

Who will bear the cost for visa and work permit?

Usually the employer would bear the cost of visas and work permits, if agreed. Both visa cost and work permit cost would include government fees as well as professional fees to process the paperwork. If visa fees are spent by the employee prior to his arrival, and if agreed upfront, those expenses shall be reimbursed by the employer.

What is the procedure for getting security clearances?

BIDA (Bangladesh Investment Development Authority) sends a copy of the work permit along with a copy of the work permit application form to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Home Ministry sends those documents to SB (Special Branch of Police) and NSI (National Security Intelligence) for investigation. The employer has to provide required documents to SB and NSI based on their requirements. SB and NSI may visit the employer’s office in addition to meeting the employee himself. SB and NSI submit their report to the Home Ministry for further processing. The Home Ministry issues the security clearance based on the reports received from SB and NSI.

How many days are needed to get the security clearances?

It takes around 70 to 80 working days.

Is the visa and related cost reimbursable?

Usually the employer would bear the cost of visas, security clearance, work permits, and other related costs, if agreed. Both visa cost and work permit cost would include government fees as well as professional fees to process the paperwork. If the visa fee is spent by the employee prior to his arrival, and if agreed upon upfront, those expenses shall be reimbursed by the employer.

Who pays for the family visa?

It depends upon the prior agreement with the employer. Usually, it is taken care of by the employee himself. The company provides services, and the fees will be charged back to the employee.

Selection Process

What type of interview process is arranged?

Written/interview/presentation or both for national employee.
Online interview/presentation for expatriate employee.

Is there any prescribed format of interview process?

Yes, we follow the following protocol while conducting interviews.

Summary sheet for all candidates with details for all candidates (education qualification, experience level, others, etc.).
Score Sheet.
Technical Question Sheet.
Guideline for the interview as received from the client

Is a medical and security background check mandatory for selected candidates?

Yes, in most of the cases it is mandatory for medical and security background checkups based on client requirements.

Is there an option for a notice period to join?

It is dependent on the candidate’s contract with his existing employer. We just inform the candidate about the expected joining date, and the joining period is reasonable unless an urgent job position is advertised.

Payroll, Taxation & Other Payment Process

What is the process of the payroll system?

Help employees to open bank accounts in NESL-prescribed banks.
Employees have to submit approved monthly timesheets (applicable for all national/expatriate employees).
Calculation of salary and benefits is done based on the approved time sheet. Deduction of AIT and other deductions, if any.
Salary transfer to bank.
Send pay slip to employee

In case of expat employees, salary process starts on receipt of approved time sheet along with receipt of foreign currency (only USD accounts) bank details from employee. No payment can commence prior to work permit approval. Payments are done only by bank transfer.

How many days are needed to get salary and other benefits?

Usually within three weeks of the end of the month. The certified/approved time sheets, declarations, bank details, and other relevant papers can accelerate the payment process. Payments may be delayed if there is a change of salary requiring amendments to work permits. Payments are only processed when work permits are issued by BIDA.

What is the process to transfer salary directly to the employee’s bank account?

We write to our banker to transfer salary to the national employee’s bank account based on the approved timesheet and bank details submitted by the employee.

In the case of expat employees, we advise our bank to transfer foreign currency to the concerned employee’s FC bank account abroad. We have to attach a copy of the approved timesheet, a copy of the work permit, and a copy of the bank details provided by the expat employee.

What is the procedure followed for tax deduction?

The procedures for tax deduction are followed as per the guideline of the Bangladesh Tax Authority (NBR). As per existing guidelines, tax payable for non-residents is 30% of salary and other benefits (subject to other applicable rules). In the case of national employees, monthly tax deductions are made based on estimated calculations of the salary payable to the employee in a year.

Which system is followed for tax deduction?

The procedures for tax deduction are followed as per the guideline of the Bangladesh tax authority (NBR). Minimum tax deduction is not applicable in the case of expat employees. Standard rates of deductions for non-residents, if applicable, would apply.

What is the process for employee’s claim settlement?

The employee has to submit the approved claim form along with all original supporting documents to NESL for processing. NESL will submit an invoice attaching the claim-related approved document and claim form to the client for the client’s approval and settlement.

Is there any fee charged for the payment process?

Yes. NESL charges agreed fees on the employee’s claim under the reimbursable expense category. The fees/charges are payable by the client, not by the employee.

Does NESL deduct tax from employee salaries and deposit it to the government treasury?

Yes, as per government rules, NESL has to deduct income tax from the salary of all employees and deposit the same to the national exchequer.

What are the procedures for an employee regarding tax return submission and obtaining tax clearance certificates?

NESL offers services in relation to the submission of tax returns and obtaining tax clearance certificates for expat employees only. NESL deducts tax from the employee’s salary and deposits the same to the national exchequer. NESL calculates total income and total tax liability for each employee and submits a tax return based on the calculation on behalf of expat employees. On completion of the tax assessment, we obtain a tax clearance certificate from the concerned tax authority. Charges are applicable.

In the case of a national employee, tax return submission and obtaining tax clearance is the obligation of the concerned employee. NESL only deducts applicable tax from the employee’s salary, deposits the same to the tax authority, and provides a copy of the tax challan and a certificate mentioning the amount of total tax deduction. No charge applicable.

Does an expat employee need a local bank account for salary transfer?

Yes, an expat employee needs a local bank account for salary transfer except for the expatriates who are working in the oil and gas sector (they have the option either to maintain it locally or abroad).

Can NESL support the client by providing skilled manpower?

Yes, NESL can support clients by providing skilled and experienced manpower, both expatriates and nationals. NESL maintains a rich database to provide all categories of expat and national employees to its clients.

Mobilization, Demobilization & Settling in Bangladesh

Who will bear the mobilization and demobilization charges?

The client will bear the charge of mobilization and demobilization if pre-agreed.

If employee bears the travel, is it reimbursable?

Yes, if the employee bears the travel-related cost, that will be reimbursed subject to the contract between the client and NESL.

Who will bear local transportation?

The client/employee will bear local transportation costs, or if the client agrees, NESL will bear local transportation expenses on behalf of the client and will be reimbursed by the client.

Who will arrange accommodation during rotation?

The client/employee will bear accommodation costs, or if the client agrees, NESL will arrange accommodation expenses on behalf of the client, and the cost will be reimbursed from the client.

Who will bear the cost of meal during rotation?

The client/employee will bear the meal, or if the client agrees, NESL will bear food expenses on behalf of the client and will be reimbursed by the client.

Documentation

Who will issue appointment letter?

NESL or any organization acting as the employer of the personnel while he will be working in Bangladesh will issue the appointment letter.

Who will provide the experience letter, reference letter, or employment certificate?

NESL or any organization acting as the employer of the personnel while he is working in Bangladesh will issue the reference letter.

When are the salary certificate and tax deposit details (Chalan) issued in favor of the employee?

The Bangladesh tax year ends in June each year. Salary certificates shall be issued as requested by the employee at any point in time. Requests must be made at least two weeks in advance. Tax certificates shall be issued only after the end of the tax year and once the tax assessment is completed. Usually these certificates are available around the first week of November each year. Any employee leaving prior to the end of tax year shall have to wait for his tax assessment to be completed, and itthe tax usually will take around three months after the date of his departure from Bangladesh.

Compliance Issue

What are the leave procedures for an employee in Bangladesh, and what is the encashment policy?

Under the labor law of Bangladesh, there are 4 (four) types of leaves that can be availed by an employee. These are casual, sick, maternity (applicable for female employees only), and earned leave. Employees can encash unused earned leave only. Client-specific leave rules also apply.

How service benefits are determined?

Service benefits depend on client advice and agreement between the employee/employer/client.

Is there any other payment applicable to an employee as per government rules?

As per practice, employees who have completed one year of service/job consecutively are entitled to get two festival bonuses in a year. Each festival bonus shall not be more than the basic wage amount, unless otherwise agreed.

Insurance

What is the process of insurance for the employee?

NESL arranges appropriate insurance policies for employees working for its clients based on the client’s policy and circumstances.

Which insurance policies are provided for the employee?

NESL maintains the following insurance policies for national and expatriate employees in line with the requirements of the clients:

Group life insurance coverage (accidental death, normal death, partial disability, and permanent disability for national employees).
Hospitalization insurance coverage for national employees.
Medical evacuation and hospitalization coverage for expat employees.
Workers compensation insurance coverage for both national/expat employees.

All insurance coverage amounts are decided by clients except WCI, which depends on the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923, and subsequent amendments of the said Act.

Moreover, NESL provides a general liability policy, an employer liability policy, and a professional liability policy based on the client’s requirements. The expenses are reimbursable as per the pre-agreed cost.

Important Notice: Fraudulent Job Offers & Misrepresentation

NESL does NOT charge any recruitment fee, processing fee, or request any personal payment at any stage of the hiring process.

NESL does not authorize third parties or agents to collect money on its behalf.
Any request for bank transfer, personal banking details, or upfront payment should be treated as fraudulent.
Official communication will only come from verified company channels.
If you suspect fraudulent activity, please report it to NESL immediately.

NESL shall not be responsible for losses arising from fraudulent advertisements, fake job offers, or misrepresentation by unauthorized individuals.

Contact Info

Address (Operations Office) : Rupayan Shelford, Level # 12, Plot # 23/6, Block # B, Bir Uttam A.N.M Nuruzzaman Road (Mirpur Road), Shyamoli, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
Address (Registered Office) : Suite 702 (7th Floor), 28 Dilkusha C/A, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

Cell: +8801713-068853

Email: info@energybd.com

Website: www.energybd.com

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