Bangladesh bank: Bangladesh Bank (BB) today directed all scheduled banks to facilitate the opening of bank accounts for foreign nationals working in Bangladesh under Employment Visa categories, subject to fulfillment of applicable KYC requirements.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, in a circular issued by the Banking Regulation and Policy Department-1, the central bank stated that foreign nationals working in Bangladesh under the ‘A3’ visa category, as well as other Employment Visa categories, can receive their salaries and allowances through bank accounts. The circular specified that the Ministry of Home Affairs, through a circular issued on April 19, 2026, clarified that foreign nationals arriving in Bangladesh under the ‘A3’ visa category are required to obtain a work permit from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and renew the permit within its validity period.
Bangladesh Bank emphasized that the terms and conditions of the work permit require payment of salaries and allowances through banks. It also highlighted that foreign nationals working in Bangladesh under other Employment Visa categories are similarly required to receive their salaries and allowances through banks.
In light of this, Bangladesh Bank instructed banks to take necessary steps to open bank accounts for foreign nationals under the A3 or other Employment Visa categories, provided they have valid work permits and comply with the applicable KYC requirements. The directive was issued under the authority vested upon Bangladesh Bank by Section 45 of the Bank Company Act, 1991, and was addressed to managing directors and chief executive officers of all scheduled banks.