The process of obtaining security clearance for new work permits issued by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) will go fully online from October 1, in a move aimed at streamlining services for foreign investors and expatriate employees.

From now on, all applications for security clearance must be submitted exclusively through BIDA’s One Stop Service (OSS) Portal.

If no objections are raised within 21 working days of submission with all required documents, the clearance will be deemed granted. Failure to apply within the stipulated timeframe will render a work permit invalid.

BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury said the reform marks a milestone in making investment procedures more transparent and predictable.

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,” he said, expressing gratitude to the Ministry of Home Affairs for its cooperation in implementing the reform.

Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Nasimul Ghani said the move will strengthen inter-agency coordination and ease services related to visas and work permits.

The Ministry of Home Affairs will continue to work closely with BIDA to further enhance the quality and efficiency of these services,” he added.

The decision follows an inter-agency meeting on September 2 at BIDA headquarters, chaired by Chowdhury and attended by Ghani along with representatives of the Department of Immigration and Passports, law enforcement agencies and investment promotion bodies.

Based on that meeting, several additional reforms are underway, including digitalization of visa renewal and fee payment, a new investor-friendly visa policy, online payment for visa-on-arrival fees, and an interoperable inter-agency database.

These initiatives are expected to be rolled out by December 2025.