Bangladesh is shifting to a fully digital process for security clearances required for new work permits starting Wednesday, 1st October. Going forward, foreign investors and expatriate employees must submit their security clearance applications exclusively through the BIDA One Stop Service (OSS) Portal at bidaquickserv.org, according to a BIDA press release issued on 30 September.
Under the new rule, all applicants must use the OSS portal. If an application is submitted with all necessary documents and no objections are raised within 21 working days, the security clearance will be considered granted. Permits will be invalid if the applicant fails to apply within the specified timeframe.
BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury said digitising the process will provide a more transparent and predictable experience for investors and help make Bangladesh more investment-friendly. He thanked the Ministry of Home Affairs for its leadership and cooperation in implementing the reform with investor needs in mind.
Nasimul Ghani, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, noted that digital security clearances will enhance inter-agency coordination and simplify visa and work permit services for foreign investors. He added that the ministry will continue collaborating with BIDA to improve service quality and efficiency.
The changes followed an inter-agency meeting held on 2nd September at BIDA Headquarters, chaired by Chowdhury and attended by Nasimul Ghani, along with representatives from the Department of Immigration and Passports, law enforcement agencies, and investment promotion bodies.
Plans discussed at the meeting include further digitization efforts such as visa renewal and fee payments, introduction of a new investor-friendly visa policy, online payment for visa-on-arrival fees, and the creation of an interoperable inter-agency database. Officials aim to complete these measures by December 2025.
