Bangladeshis can now send up to $15,000 for medical treatment abroad — up from the previous limit of $10,000 — in response to growing demand for advanced medical care overseas.
According to a Bangladesh Bank circular issued on Monday, individuals can now take up to $15,000 abroad without requiring prior approval from the central bank.
The decision comes amid increasing difficulties faced by Bangladeshi patients in obtaining medical visas for India, historically the most popular destination for medical tourism due to its proximity and affordability.
Ongoing visa complications have led many patients to seek treatment in alternative countries such as Thailand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States, where medical costs are generally higher.
To accommodate these rising expenses, Bangladesh Bank’s revised policy permits foreign currency disbursement of up to $15,000 either directly to hospitals or through international debit or credit cards.
Within this total, individuals may also access up to $5,000 in cash for travel or incidental costs related to treatment abroad.
According to bank officials, the previous $10,000 limit had proven insufficient for patients travelling to countries beyond India.
The updated regulation now empowers commercial banks to process medical remittances up to the new limit without seeking prior authorisation from the central bank, making the process more efficient and accessible for patients and their families.
Officials further noted that the move aims to curb the use of hundi — an informal and illegal money transfer system frequently used when formal channels are slow or restrictive.
Increasing reliance on hundi undermines legal banking channels and poses a threat to the country’s foreign currency reserves by reducing recorded remittance inflows, which are vital to Bangladesh’s economy.
By simplifying legitimate remittance procedures, the central bank hopes to encourage compliance and strengthen financial transparency.
This latest change is part of a broader set of reforms introduced by the Bangladesh Bank to modernise foreign exchange regulations and support citizens in accessing international services more efficiently.
Earlier this month, the central bank also relaxed restrictions on overseas payments for purposes such as education, training, visa fees, IT services, membership dues, and more.
Banks can now use international card platforms to process such payments without needing prior approval, further streamlining cross-border transactions.
These initiatives reflect a strategic effort by the money market regulator to adapt to the realities of a globalised economy, ensure smoother foreign currency transactions, and maintain better control over international financial flows.