BIDA to digitise security clearance process for foreign investors

By mid-September, security clearance for work permits of foreign investors and expatriates will be fully digitised through BIDA's Online One-Stop Service (OSS) portal.

The decision was announced at a high-level inter-agency meeting chaired by BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury and attended by Nasimul Gani, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, along with representatives from the Department of Immigration and Passports, security agencies, and other investment promotion bodies.

Key decisions taken include:

• Full digitalisation of the security clearance process through BIDA OSS.
• The authorities will rationalise documentation requirements in line with the Home Ministry's Security Clearance circular. If applicants submit complete applications and inspections are not finished within 21 working days, the authorities will deem clearance granted and extend visas.
• Work permit holders will be able to extend their visas and pay fees online, eliminating the need for hard-copy submissions.
• Authorities will digitalise visa-on-arrival fees.
• Relevant agencies will develop an inter-agency interoperable database to strengthen monitoring and coordination.
• All investment promotion agencies will be required to apply these standards.

BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury said: "The digitalisation of security clearance is a landmark reform that will bring greater transparency and predictability to this critical investor service. We are on track to roll out further reforms on work permits and visa services by December."

Home Ministry Senior Secretary Nasimul Gani emphasized the ongoing coordination with BIDA as key to a successful digitalisation rollout.