Bangladesh Bank has issued new directives on opening bank accounts for foreign nationals working in Bangladesh. Banks have been instructed to take the necessary steps to open accounts for foreign nationals working under the “A-3” visa and various other employment visa categories, provided they hold a valid, up-to-date work permit, subject to standard know-your-customer (KYC) compliance.
Bangladesh Bank issued a circular on the matter Tuesday. The circular states that the Home Ministry, through a directive issued on April 29, 2026, had clarified that foreign nationals working in Bangladesh under the “A-3” visa category must receive their salaries and allowances through banks.
Foreign nationals arriving in Bangladesh under the “A-3” visa category must obtain a work permit from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). This work permit must also be renewed once it expires. The work permit also stipulates the condition that salaries and allowances be received through a bank.
Bangladesh Bank said the requirement to receive salaries and allowances through banks applies not only to “A-3” visa holders, but also to foreign nationals working in Bangladesh under other employment visa categories. In this context, banks have been instructed to take the necessary steps, subject to standard KYC compliance, to open bank accounts for foreign nationals working in Bangladesh under the “A-3” category and other visa categories, provided their work permits are up to date.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report