The Executive Chairman (State Minister) of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, announced significant strides in modernizing Bangladesh’s visa system by digitizing fee payments and refining the visa policy.
Speaking at a workshop on “Work Permit and Security Clearance Process” at BIDA’s multipurpose hall in Dhaka on October 15, 2025, Ashik Mahmud revealed that substantial efforts are underway to enable online payment of visa fees, potentially allowing applicants to complete their transactions from home, without the need for a physical visit.
“The overhaul of the visa system includes making fee payments digital. This would allow applicants to pay from home, reducing the need for in-person visits,” he said, emphasizing the convenience the change would bring.
In addition to digitizing the payment process, Ashik Mahmud noted that the government is conducting a comprehensive revision of the overall visa policy. This reform aims to address long-standing issues within the current system and improve the visa issuance process.
A key aspect of the reforms, Ashik Mahmud pointed out, is the introduction of online security clearance, which began on October 1. As part of this reform, the number of required documents for the process has been reduced from 34 to 11, a significant streamlining of the procedure.
While highlighting these advancements, Ashik Mahmud stressed the importance of maintaining strict national security standards throughout the process. “We must ensure that no actions are taken that could compromise national security,” he asserted, emphasizing that all governmental bodies, including BIDA and the Home Ministry, share the same objective of safeguarding national interests.
Ashik Mahmud also addressed the need for a unified approach among various investment promotion agencies, such as BIDA, BEZA, and Hi-Tech Park. He argued that from an investor’s perspective, all these agencies represent Bangladesh, and therefore, the process should be consistent across the board.
“There is no reason for discrepancies in the work permit application process between BIDA and BEZA, as investors are seeking permission within the same country,” he said, confirming that all related entities are working together to create a seamless experience for investors.
During the workshop, officials from the National Security Intelligence (NSI), Special Branch (SB), Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), and BIDA presented their findings and discussed challenges faced by security and administrative agencies.
Additional Secretary of MoHA Md Delwar Hossain and BIDA Director General Md Ariful Hoque also spoke at the event. Ariful Hoque emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts among all agencies involved, stating that these entities form a “family” working toward the same goal. He urged field-level officials to report challenges faced on the ground, saying that sharing experiences would simplify the decision-making process and help refine policies further.
