Security Clearance for Foreign Workers Now Fully Online

The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) has announced that applications for security clearances for foreign investors and their employees can now be submitted entirely online. This clearance is required in exchange for permission to work in Bangladesh.

This service was officially launched on Wednesday, 1 October, allowing foreigners to apply directly through BIDA’s One Stop Service (OSS) portal.

Key Features of the Online Security Clearance

• Mandatory Requirement:
  All foreign investors and employees with valid work permits must apply for security clearance.
• Submission Process:
  Applications will only be accepted via BIDA’s OSS portal.
  After submission, the relevant authority will review the application. If no objections are found, the security clearance will be considered approved within 21 working days.
• Consequences of Delay:
  If the application is not submitted within the validity period of the work permit, the associated work permit will be considered invalid.

BIDA’s Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury highlighted that the digitalisation of security clearances will make the process faster, more transparent, and more reliable. He added that the reform will modernise Bangladesh’s investment environment, making it more investor-friendly.

Chowdhury also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Home Affairs for their cooperation in implementing this initiative.

Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Nasimul Ghani, stated that online security clearance will strengthen coordination between different government agencies. This is expected to simplify visa and employment-related services for foreign investors.

On 2 September, an inter-agency meeting at BIDA finalised this process. Representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration and Passport Department, law enforcement agencies, and investment development authorities participated.

According to the meeting decisions, several related initiatives are underway, including:

It is anticipated that all these initiatives will be fully operational by December 2025, further easing investment processes and ensuring seamless coordination among government agencies.