Security clearance for work permits now fully digital
The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) will make the process of obtaining security clearance for new work permits fully digital from today (1 October).
From this date, foreign investors and expatriate employees will be required to submit their applications for security clearance exclusively through BIDA's One Stop Service (OSS) Portal bidaquickserv.org, said a press release yesterday(30 September).
All foreign investors and employees must mandatorily apply via the BIDA OSS portal. Once the application is submitted with all required documents, the clearance will be deemed granted if no objections are raised within 21 working days. Failure to apply within the timeframe specified in the work permit will render the permit invalid.
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BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury said, "The digitisation of the security clearance process will now allow investors to access a more transparent and predictable service. This will play an important role in making Bangladesh more investment-friendly. I express my special gratitude to the Ministry of Home Affairs for its cooperation and leadership in implementing this important reform with due consideration to investor perspectives."
Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Nasimul Ghani added, "The digitalized security clearance process will strengthen inter-agency coordination and make visa and work permit-related services easier for foreign investors. The Ministry of Home Affairs will continue to work closely with BIDA to further enhance the quality and efficiency of these services."
An inter-agency meeting was held on 2 September this month at BIDA Headquarters, chaired by Ashik Chowdhury and attended by Nasimul Ghani. Officials from the Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP), law enforcement agencies, and investment promotion agencies were also present.
Following decisions from the meeting, further initiatives are underway, including the digitalization of visa renewal and fee payment, introduction of a new investor-friendly visa policy, online payment for visa-on-arrival fees, and establishment of an interoperable inter-agency database.
These measures are expected to be completed by December 2025.
