Expatriate Services · Bangladesh

Expat Payroll and Work Permits in Bangladesh

We handle work permits and monthly payroll for foreign nationals working in Bangladesh: BIDA and NGO Affairs Bureau permit applications and renewals, income tax deducted at source, and the bank paperwork that lets expats send part of their salary home.

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Call +880 1711-990020

Definition

What Is Expat Payroll and Work Permit Management?

Expat payroll and work permit management is the end-to-end process of getting a foreign employee legally authorised to work in Bangladesh and then paying them correctly every month: visa recommendation, work permit and renewals, income tax deducted at source, and the bank paperwork for sending part of their salary abroad.

Permits and payroll belong together. A foreign national should not be put on payroll without a valid work permit, and the permit renewal itself asks for tax clearance and the employee’s tax return.

E
Companies, branch and liaison officesE visa, then a work permit from BIDA
N
International NGOsN visa, then a work permit from the NGO Affairs Bureau
EZ
EPZ and economic zone unitsWork permit from BEPZA or BEZA for their zones

Which route applies depends on who employs the foreign national.

The permit journey

How a Foreign Employee Gets a Work Permit in Bangladesh

Seven stops from the first application to the first payslip. Miss one, and payroll, salary transfers or the next renewal get stuck.

1
Visa recommendationEmployerEmployer applies to BIDA for an E visa recommendation letter.
2
E visaEmployeeEmployee applies at a Bangladesh mission abroad.
3
ArrivalEmployeeEmployee enters Bangladesh on the E visa.
4
Work permitWithin 15 daysEmployer applies on the BIDA online portal within 15 days of arrival.
5
Security clearanceHome MinistryRuns alongside the permit review and must be positive.
6
TIN and payrollPayrollTax number, bank account and the first salary with tax deducted.
7
RenewalBefore expiryNeeds tax clearance and the employee's last tax return.

StationInterchange: the permit is where immigration and payroll meetRoute for an E visa hire. NGO and zone routes differ.

Expat income tax

How Expats Are Taxed in Bangladesh

Tax depends on residence, not passport. Two questions decide whether a foreign employee pays the normal rates or a flat 30%.

Employing a foreigner without approval is expensiveDeloitte's 2023 Bangladesh tax summary reports additional tax for the employer of 50% of the tax payable on the employee's income, or BDT 500,000, whichever is higher, on top of possible prosecution.

Salary transfers

Can Expats Send Their Salary Home?

Yes, within limits. Under Bangladesh Bank’s foreign exchange guidelines, foreign nationals with valid work permits can send up to 75% of their net monthly income abroad through the bank, at the employer’s request.

We prepare the payroll records, salary certificates and employer letters the bank asks for, so the monthly transfer is not held up.

  • Valid work permitThe bank checks that the permit was issued by the right authority.
  • Employer requestThe transfer is made at the employer's request through an authorised dealer bank.
  • Net salary, after taxThe limit is a share of net monthly income, so payroll must be right first.

Based on Bangladesh Bank foreign exchange rules reported in January 2021. Your bank confirms the current limit.

What we handle

Expat Work Permit and Payroll Services

One team for the permit file and the payroll file, so the two never contradict each other.

Work permit applicationsVisa recommendation, permit filing and document checks for BIDA or the NGO Affairs Bureau.
Renewals and changesRenewal reminders, tax clearance and updates when a role or employer changes.
Clearance follow-upTracking the security clearance and responding to authority queries.
Expat payroll and taxMonthly salary, residence-based tax deduction and payslips.
Remittance paperworkSalary certificates and employer letters for monthly bank transfers.
Exit and final settlementPermit cancellation, final pay and the employee's last tax papers.

Running a subsidiary or INGO? See subsidiary and INGO payroll. No local entity yet? Start with company setup and local presence or EOR and payroll for your team.

FAQs

Expat Payroll and Work Permits: FAQs

It is running monthly salary, income tax deduction and statutory records for foreign nationals employed in Bangladesh, together with the work permit and bank paperwork that the payroll depends on.

BIDA issues work permits for companies, branch offices and liaison offices. The NGO Affairs Bureau issues them for international NGOs, and BEPZA or BEZA for units in export processing zones and economic zones.

For an E visa hire, the employer applies through the BIDA online portal within 15 days of the employee’s arrival in Bangladesh.

A work permit is usually granted for one year at first and must be renewed before it expires. Renewal needs tax clearance and proof that the employee filed an income tax return.

An employee in Bangladesh for more than 182 days in the income year, or for 90 days plus 365 days over the previous four years, is resident and pays the normal individual rates. Others are non-resident and pay a flat 30%. The employer deducts tax from salary each month.

Yes. Under Bangladesh Bank foreign exchange guidelines, foreign nationals with valid work permits can remit up to 75% of their net monthly income through an authorised dealer bank, at the employer’s request.

The employer faces additional tax, reported as 50% of the tax payable on the employee’s income or BDT 500,000, whichever is higher, plus possible prosecution. The employee also cannot remit salary through the bank.

Yes. A work permit needs a sponsoring employer in Bangladesh. We can help you set up a company, branch or liaison office, or discuss an employer of record arrangement, and then run the permit and payroll.

ARRIVAL CARDEXPAT ONBOARDING

Bringing Someone to Bangladesh?

Tell us the nationality, role, start date and employer type. We will map the permit route, the tax position and the payroll set-up, and quote a fee in writing.

Nationality__________
Start date__________
Employer typeCompany / Branch / INGO

BPO Bangladesh · Suite 610, 5th Floor, Rupayan Shopping Square, Bashundhara R/A, Dhaka 1229 · +880 1711-990020

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Email [email protected]