Bangladesh (BD)
Bangladesh is a densely populated delta nation in South Asia, bordered by India and Myanmar, with the Bay of Bengal to the south.
Capital: Dhaka
Region: Asia
Language: Bengali
Currency: BDT (৳)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 15)
Emergency: 999
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Business Setup
Start a business or go freelance in Bangladesh.
🧑💻 Freelancer / Self-Employed Guide
Steps to register:
- 1 Confirm your visa allows the work you plan to do while physically in Bangladesh — tourist and business visas do not authorise local employment or service delivery.
- 2 Obtain an e-TIN from NBR (nbr.gov.bd) before invoicing Bangladesh clients or receiving taxable income.
- 3 Register a proprietorship or company through RJSC if your activity is local, recurring or directly client-facing.
- 4 Register for VAT/BIN with NBR once annual turnover exceeds BDT 5,000,000; the turnover tax scheme (4%) applies between BDT 3,000,000 and BDT 5,000,000.
- 5 Review withholding-tax obligations before issuing invoices to corporate clients — clients may deduct 10–20% at source depending on service type.
- 6 Keep inward remittance certificates, invoices, bank statements and tax challans for every transaction.
Tax registration
National Board of Revenue (NBR) at nbr.gov.bd. Apply for e-TIN online free of charge. VAT/BIN registration is required once annual turnover exceeds the statutory threshold. Use a chartered accountant (ICAB member) for withholding compliance and return filing.
VAT threshold
BDT 5,000,000 annual turnover triggers mandatory standard VAT registration (15%). A reduced turnover tax scheme applies to businesses with BDT 3,000,000–5,000,000 turnover. Confirm the current threshold with NBR or a practitioner as thresholds are set annually in the Finance Act.
Invoicing
Invoices must show: legal business name, e-TIN and BIN/VAT number where applicable, address, invoice number, date, description of service, net amount, VAT treatment (taxable/exempt/zero-rated), withholding tax provision, total amount, and bank account details.
Social security
No universal freelancer social-security contribution system exists for foreign freelancers. Arrange private health, disability, medical evacuation and retirement savings independently. Employer-sponsored employees may be enrolled in a recognised provident fund scheme.
💡 Bangladesh has no dedicated digital-nomad or freelancer visa. Remote work for overseas clients from Bangladesh can create immigration, tax-residence and banking compliance issues for long stays. Seek professional advice before committing to extended self-employed arrangements.
🏢 Business Structures
Proprietorship · Registered Business Name / Proprietorship
Sole trader
None required
Min. capital
1–3 weeks
Setup time
Liability: Unlimited personal liability
Setup cost: BDT 5,000–30,000 for trade licence, e-TIN and VAT/BIN registration
Best for: Small local operations. Foreigners generally need an employer-sponsored work permit rather than a proprietorship.
Partnership · Partnership Firm
General partnership
None required
Min. capital
2–4 weeks
Setup time
Liability: Partners share unlimited joint liability
Setup cost: BDT 20,000–80,000 including deed drafting and registrations
Best for: Professional or local ventures between trusted partners supported by a written partnership deed.
Private Ltd · Private Company Limited by Shares
Private limited company (Ltd)
BDT 1 statutory minimum paid-up capital; foreign-invested companies typically maintain the equivalent of USD 50,000+ to satisfy BIDA work-permit capital requirements
Min. capital
3–8 weeks plus sector or FDI approvals where applicable
Setup time
Liability: Limited to shareholding
Setup cost: BDT 80,000–300,000 for RJSC filing, tax, VAT, trade licence and adviser fees
Best for: Most foreign-invested trading, tech, services and consulting businesses; required for employer-sponsored work permits.
Branch Office · Branch Office of Foreign Company
Foreign branch
Minimum inward remittance typically USD 50,000 per BIDA approval conditions
Min. capital
6–16 weeks
Setup time
Liability: Foreign parent company bears all liability
Setup cost: BDT 200,000–600,000+ for BIDA approval, legal and registration costs
Best for: Foreign companies executing contracts, delivering services or selling to Bangladesh clients.
Liaison Office · Liaison / Representative Office
Representative office
BIDA-approved inward remittance for operating expenses; typically USD 50,000 per year
Min. capital
4–12 weeks
Setup time
Liability: Foreign parent company bears all liability
Setup cost: BDT 150,000–400,000+ including BIDA approval and adviser fees
Best for: Market research, coordination and brand-building without direct revenue-generating trade in Bangladesh.
Business Setup
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