Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

Ministry of Home

Immigration Branch-2

 Memo No. Swa. Ma. (Bahi-2) 1P - 7/2006/2879                       Dated : 19th October, 2006

Visa Rules

S.L.

Visa  

Class

Eligible Person

Purpose of Visit

Authority of issuing visa/increasing of visa

and condition

1.

A

Officials  of  government/semi- government/autonomous organizations/members      of government  delegations  and entourage,     spouses     and dependent children.

Performance of public/ official duty

(a)  The  concerned  visa  issuing  authorities will be able to issue visa for the necessary period   mentioning   the   applicable   travel facilities    after    having    examined    Note Verbale/ relevant   papers   regarding   the purpose of the visit.

(b)  If  it  becomes  necessary  to  extend  the period  of  visa,  the  Directorate  General  of Immigration  and  Passport  will  be  able  to extend  the  visa  for  the  required  period  on the  basis  of  the  recommendation  of  the Ministry / organizing authorities concerned.

2.

A-1

Officials and employees employed in an organization/office of the United Nations and its affiliated organizations, international/regional bodies bodies/offices established under bilateral/multilateral agreements with the Government of Bangladesh

Service/ performance of official duty

(a) The visa issuing authorities will be able to issue visa with facilities of multiple entries for  the  entire  period  of  service  or  for  a maximum period of 5(five) years, whichever is   less,   on   the   recommendation   of   the organization concerned.

(b) If it is necessary to extend the period of visa, the Directorate General of Immigration and Passport Directorate will be able extend the  period  of  visa  with  facilities  of  multiple entries for the entire period of   employment or  for  a  maximum  period  of  5  (five)  years, whichever  is  less,  on  the  basis  of  the recommendation    of    the    organization concerned  and  security  clearance.  But  in this  case  obtaining  security  clearance  will not   be   applicable   for   persons   holding Diplomatic Passport and Laissez-passer.

3.

A-2

Spouses and other dependent members of the family of the persons of coming on A-1 category

If a member of the entourage of a person coming on a

A-1 category

or arriving later

(a) The concerned visa issuing authorities will be  able  to  issue  visa  to  the  spouse  and  the dependent members of the family for a period equal to the one granted to the person coming on a A-2 category visa after having examined the necessary papers to this effect. In  case  of  necessity  of  extending  the  visa, the Directorate General of Immigration and the Passport  will be able to extend the visa for a period equal to the one granted to the person coming on a A-2 category visa. But in this case, obtaining security clearance will not   be   applicable   for   persons   holding diplomatic passport and Laissezpasser.

4.

FA2

Businessman/Business representative

Trade and commerce

(a) The visa issuing authorities will be able to issue visa initially for not more than 1 (one) year with facilities of multiple entries on the condition of staying up to a maximum of 01 (one) month on every visit, on being satisfied that the applicant is a genuine businessman, after having considered the certificate issued by the recognized Chamber of Commerce of the country concerned in favour of the visitor arriving for the purpose of prospecting feasibility of investment / trade and commerce and the recommendation of the local sponsor situated in Bangladesh and the genuineness of his business establishment etc. But if the visa issuing authorities thinks it necessary, they can see the lastest relevant documents (audit report of at least one year, statement of bank transactions, memorandum of understanding, memorandum of association of the firm etc.) of the business concern of the applicant for visa.

(b) In case of necessity of extending the period of visa, the Directorate General of Immigration and Passport will be able to issue visa on the basis of the recommendation of the local sponsor and security clearance for a period of 3 (three) years on the condition of 01 (one) month s stay on every visit with facilities of multiple entries on each occasion. But the period of visa may be extended for 05 (five) years on the same conditions, after recording the evidence / certificate, if any, to the effect that the applicant had come to Bangladesh several times for business purposes and performed his business according to the proper rules and regulations.

5.

B

Crew travelling on international routes being employed in airlines / ships and other transport sectors

Performance

of professional duties

(a) The concerned authorities for issuing visa will be able to issue visa for a maximum period of 3 (three) years with facilities of multiple travels on the basis of the recommendation of the appointing authority. In the case of the ship s crew the condition of a maximum period of one (1) month s stay at a time and in other cases the condition of a maximum period of 7 (seven) day s stay will be applicable.

(b) In case it is necessary to extend visa, the Directorate General of Immigration and Passport will be able to extend the period of visa according to necessity on the basis of the recommendation of the proper authorities.

6.

C

Domestic aid of the persons belonging to category A-1

Accompanying the persons belonging to category

A-1

arriving later

The concerned authorities for issuing visa will be able to issue visa for the required period with mention of the applicable travel facilities, after having examined Note Verbale /relevant papers regarding purpose of the visit and where applicable, following diplomatic etiquette. In case of necessity of extending the period of visa the Directorate General of Immigration and Pass-port will be able to extend the visa for the required period with multiple entries.

7.

D

(a) experts / consultants / employees / persons employed in government /

semi-government / autonomous organizations / projects and equivalent institutions (b)Employees/ persons appointed

/employed in local / foreign government/liaison/industrial/ commercial organizations or equivalent organizations

(c) Employees/persons appointed in local/foreign government/non-government firms of contractors or equivalent firms

Employment / Service

The concerned visa issuing authorities will be able to issue visa for a maximum period of 3 (three) months with the facilities of multiple entries, after having examined in each case the certificate, appointment letter issued by the Ministry / Board of Investment / BEPZA to the effect that the person has been properly appointed at the concerned organization and the authenticity of the appointing organization.

(b) In case of extension of visa, the Directorate General of Immigration and Passport will be able to extend the period of visa for the entire period of work permit or for a maximum period of  01(one) year, whichever is less, with multiple entries, on the basis of the recommendation of the appointing authority, work permit of the concerned authority and security clearance. If extension of visa is applied for for the second time, the Directorate General of Immigration and Passport Directorate will be able to extend the period of visa for the entire period of the work permit or for 3(three) years, whichever is less, on the basis of satisfactory stay. However, if the period of employment in the same profession exceeds 03(three) years, approval of the Ministry of Interior has to be sought in case of extension of visa.

(c) In the case of experts/ consultants/ employees/persons employed in government /semi-government/autonomous organizations/ projects, the  period of the visa can be extended for the entire period

of the work permit or for 03 (three) years, whichever is less, on the basis of the recommendation of the Ministry, work permit and security clearance.

8.

ND

Spouses and other dependent members of the family of the persons entitled to D category

Accompanying the persons entitled to D class or arriving later

(a) The concerned authorities for issuing visa will be able to issue visa for a period equal to the one granted to the person coming on a E category visa, after having examined the necessary papers to the effect that the applicant is spouse and dependent member of the family.

(b) In case of extension of visa the Directorate General of Immigration and Passport will be able to extend the visa for a period equal to the one granted to the person coming on a E category visa, with multiple entries, on the basis of the recommendation of the appointing organization and security clearance.

9.

DA

Persons coming for supply

/installation/maintenance/ supervision of equipments and software /inspection of project and similar work

Supply/ installation/ maintenance/ supervision of equipments and software/ inspection of project etc.

(a) The authorities for issuing visa will be able to issue visa for a maximum period of 1(one) month after taking into consideration the recommendation of BOI/BEPZA to the effect that foreign nationals as described are required to come for the installation of the equipments / software at the inviting/importing firm, letter of invitation of the local sponsor, authenticity of the inviting/  importing firm, deed of contract

of the sending/supplying firm.

(b) The Directorate General of

Immigration and Passport will be able to extend the visa for a maximum period of

01(one) year with multiple entries on the basis of deed of contract signed with the firm supplying the equipment, recommendation of the local sponsor, work permit and police report.

10.

E

Foreign investors of capital in the industries/mercantile firms established/ to be established as a joint venture or with entire foreign investment in the private sector

Management of investment/ established business/ business concern

(a) The concerned visa issuing authorities may issue visa to an applicant for visa in an industrial/ mercantile enterprise established in Bangladesh in the private sector individually or as a joint venture or with entire foreign investment, for a maximum period of 01(one) year with facilities of multiple entries on the basis of a certificate of the Board of Investment (BOI)/ Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authorities (BEPZA) (if applicable) to the effect that he is a genuine investor. However, if the visa issuing authorities feels necessary, it may see the relevant documents (for example, the Memorandum of Understanding, Memorandum of Association of the firm etc.) regarding the investment/business of the applicant.

(b) In case of extension of visa,  the Directorate General of Immigration and Passport may issue visa for a maximum period of 5(five) years with multiple

11.

FE

Spouses and other dependent members of the family of the person coming on a E category visa

Accompanying the person coming on a

E class visa or arriving later

(a) The concerned visa issuing authorities may issue visa for a period equal to the one granted to the person coming on a PI category visa, after having examined the necessary papers showing that the persons concerned are spouse and dependent members of the family.

(b) In case of extension of visa, the Directorate General of Immigration and Passport may extend the visa with multiple entries for a period equal to the one granted to the person coming on a PI category visa on the basis of the recommendation of the concerned establishment and security clearance.

12.

EI

(a) Any person from a country with which Bangladesh has diplomatic relations

(b) Persons coming for seminars / workshops / study tours organized at private level

Travel / tourism / meeting relatives / religions reasons / private seminars / workshops /

study tour sector

(a) The concerned visa issuing authorities may issue visa for a maximum period of 15 (fifteen) days without any travel facilities.

(b) For special need the Directorate General of Immigration and Passport may extend the visa upto 1 (one) additional month without ravel facilities on the basis of police report.

13.

J

a) Foreign spouse and children of Bangladeshi Citizen.

b)Foreign Citizen of Bangladeshi origin and his/her spouse

and children.

Stay and travel in

Bangladesh

(a) The concerned visa issuing authorities may issue visa to foreign wife / husband and children for a maximum period of 1 (one) year with multiple entries on the basis of the proof of the Bangladeshi citizenship of the Bangladeshi citizen and affidavit sworty by the Bangladeshi citizen regarding his/ her spouse / children and marriage certificate.

(b) The Directorate General of Immigration and Passport may extend the visa for a maximum period of 5 (five) years with multiple entries on the basis of favourable police report.