The process of obtaining security clearance against new work permits issued by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) will be fully online from 1 October 2025. 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 (https://bidaquickserv.org/).
All foreign investors and foreign employees must mandatorily apply for security clearance against their work permits via the BIDA OSS Portal. Once the application is submitted with all required documents, if no objections are raised within 21 working days, the clearance will be deemed as granted. Failure to submit the security clearance application within the time specified in the work permit will render the work permit invalid.
BIDA Executive Chairman Mr. Ashik Chowdhury stated: “The digitization 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 Mr. Nasimul Ghani said: “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.”
On 2 September 2025, an inter-agency meeting was held at BIDA Headquarters, chaired by BIDA Executive Chairman Mr. Ashik Chowdhury and attended by Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Mr. Nasimul Ghani. Representatives from the Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP), law enforcement agencies, and investment promotion agencies were also present.
Based on the decisions taken at this high-level meeting, further initiatives are already underway — including the digitalization of visa renewal and fee payment, introduction of a new investor-friendly visa policy, facilitation of online payment for visa-on-arrival fees, and establishment of an inter-operable inter-agency database. These measures are expected to be completed by December 2025.
