Company registration, bank account, licences, tax numbers, work permits and visas all sit with different government offices. THB takes you through each one from our office in Dhaka, so you have one team and one point of contact from the first name check to your first day at work.
The structure decides which offices you deal with, how long setup takes, and whether you can earn money locally. Most foreign investors choose a private limited company.
A Bangladeshi company owned 100% by you, or jointly with a local partner.
A private limited company shared with a Bangladeshi partner, backed by a shareholders' agreement.
An extension of your overseas company, not a separate legal entity.
A representative office to promote, research and coordinate for the parent company.
Planning a factory in an export processing zone or economic zone? Those companies register with BEPZA or BEZA, which also issue their work permits. A few sectors are reserved or restricted for foreign ownership, and some need a separate licence from their regulator. Tell us your business and we will confirm which rules apply before you spend anything.
Each step shows the government office involved, what it produces, and what THB does for you. Pick your structure to see its route.
Office: Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC)
The proposed name is checked against existing companies and trademarks. Once cleared, it is reserved for you while the rest of the paperwork is prepared.
Typically 1–2 working daysDocuments: MoA, AoA, subscriber details, Form IX, Form XII
These set out what the company may do, its share capital, and how it is run. Shareholders and directors sign them. Signatures made abroad are usually notarised and legalised through the Bangladesh mission in your country.
Typically 3–5 working daysOffice: A scheduled bank in Bangladesh
A temporary account is opened in the proposed company name. Foreign shareholders wire their paid-up capital from abroad, and the bank issues an encashment certificate as proof. If you will bring in foreign staff, plan an inward remittance of at least USD 50,000, which BIDA expects for work permits.
Typically 1–2 weeksOffice: RJSC
The signed documents and encashment certificate are filed online and the registration fee is paid. RJSC issues the Certificate of Incorporation, certified MoA and AoA, and Form XII. Your company now legally exists, and the bank account becomes a regular operating account.
Typically 3–7 working days after filingOffice: City Corporation or local authority where your office is
Every business needs a trade licence for its registered address. In Dhaka this is issued by the North or South City Corporation. It is renewed every year.
Typically about 1 weekOffice: National Board of Revenue (NBR)
The company receives an e-TIN for income tax and a Business Identification Number (BIN) for VAT. Both are needed to invoice customers, import goods and apply for work permits.
Typically 2–5 working daysOffice: Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA)
Industrial projects should register with BIDA after incorporation. It records your foreign investment and gives access to incentives, work permits and remittance approvals. Many purely commercial or trading companies do not need it.
Typically 7–10 working daysOffices: depend on your sector
Importers need an Import Registration Certificate (IRC) and exporters an Export Registration Certificate (ERC). Factories may need fire safety and environmental clearance. Some activities need a sector licence from their regulator.
Varies by licenceDocuments: parent's incorporation certificate, MoA and AoA, board resolution, latest audited accounts
These must be in English or translated, then notarised and attested by the Bangladesh mission in the parent company's country. Missing attestation is a common reason for rejection.
Typically 1–3 weeks, abroadOffice: BIDA
BIDA reviews the application at its committee meetings and grants permission to open the office for a set period, with the approved activities stated. Nothing else can start before this approval.
Typically 4–6 weeksOffice: A scheduled bank, reported to Bangladesh Bank
The parent sends funds from abroad for setup and running costs. BIDA expects at least USD 50,000 of inward remittance before it will support work permits for foreign staff.
Typically 1–2 weeksOffice: RJSC
The BIDA approval and parent documents are filed so the office is recorded as a foreign company operating in Bangladesh.
Typically 1–2 weeksOffices: City Corporation, NBR
As with a company, the office needs a trade licence, an e-TIN and, where it has taxable activity, a BIN for VAT.
Typically 1–2 weeksOffices: BIDA, Bangladesh Bank, NBR
Branches and liaison offices report remittances, have their accounts audited and must renew BIDA permission before it expires. A liaison office may not earn local income.
OngoingTo live and work in Bangladesh, a foreigner needs the right visa and, in most cases, a work permit. The company sponsors both, so the company must be set up first.
| Visa | For whom | Needs work permit? | Main supporting document |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBusiness | Short visits for meetings, market research, signing documents or opening the bank account | No, but you may not take up employment | Invitation letter from a Bangladeshi company |
| PIPrivate investor | Shareholders investing in a foreign-owned or joint venture company | Yes, if you will work in the company | Recommendation from BIDA, BEPZA or BEZA |
| EEmployment | Foreign staff employed by a company, branch or liaison office | Yes, apply within 15 days of arrival | Visa recommendation letter from BIDA |
| E1Employment | Specialists supplying, installing or maintaining machinery or software, or supervising a project | Depends on length of stay | Local sponsor's invitation, contract and recommendation |
| VoAOn arrival | Eligible investors and business visitors whose host arranges it in advance | No | Invitation letter, with prior notice to immigration |
Incorporation papers, trade licence, TIN and, for foreign-owned entities, the encashment certificate for at least USD 50,000.
The company applies online with the appointment letter, board resolution, job advertisement and the employee's qualifications.
The employee applies for an E or PI visa at the embassy or high commission in their country and travels to Bangladesh.
After arrival, the company files the work permit with BIDA, with the passport, visa and arrival stamp.
BIDA sends the permit to the Ministry of Home Affairs for clearance. The employee can then extend the visa in line with the permit.
Work permit and visa are renewed before expiry, with the employee's TIN and tax clearance.
A starting checklist. We send you the exact list for your case, with templates, so nothing is missed and nothing is collected twice.
A person investing in the company
A foreign company investing, or opening a branch
For the visa and work permit
A registered business has recurring filings. Missing them brings penalties and can block visa and work permit renewals.
Filed with NBR by companies registered for VAT, even when there are no sales.
Tax deducted from salaries, rent and supplier payments must be deposited and reported.
Accounts are audited by a chartered accountant and the company files its tax return.
The company holds its annual general meeting and files the annual return with RJSC.
Renewed with the City Corporation, usually at the start of the fiscal year.
Renewed for each foreign employee before expiry, with tax clearance.
THB — The House of Business is a Dhaka holding company running over a hundred ventures. Setting up in Bangladesh draws on several of them, so you deal with one team.
Name clearance, MoA and AoA, RJSC incorporation, trade licence, TIN, BIN and BIDA registration.
BIDA application, RJSC filing, Bangladesh Bank reporting and renewals.
BIDA recommendation, E, E1 and PI visas, work permits, security clearance, extensions and dependent visas.
Certified translation of foreign documents and guidance on notarisation and legalisation.
Help finding an office for your trade licence address, and fit-out and facility management once you move in.
Monthly VAT, withholding tax, audit coordination and annual returns so you stay compliant.
Interpreters for bank, government and partner meetings in Bangla and other languages.
Airport pick-up, hotel booking and local travel for your first visit.
Banks, landlords, suppliers and partners across THB's network in Bangladesh.
Choose what you need. You will see your route on the right, and one tap sends it to our team on WhatsApp. We reply with the next steps and a written quote.
Message our team will receive
Short answers. Every case is different, so ask us about yours.
Call, message on WhatsApp or visit our office in Dhaka. We help you from the first question to your first day of business.