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Published : 03 Jul 2026, 12:46 AM
The government is preparing a new visa policy by revising regulations first introduced nearly two decades ago, aiming to attract more foreign investment, business and tourism while making travel to and from Bangladesh easier.
A draft of the Visa Policy 2026 has been prepared, and a cabinet committee headed by the finance minister has been formed to refine it before final approval, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani said at a press briefing after Thursday's cabinet meeting.
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Bangladesh's existing visa policy was introduced in 2006.
Following the fall of the Awami League government after more than 15 years in power, the BNP-led government has moved to revise it to reflect the country's changing priorities.
Nasimul said the new policy aims to simplify and streamline the entry and exit of foreign nationals, attract foreign investment, businesses and skilled professionals, promote tourism and hospitality, facilitate technology and knowledge transfer, safeguard national security and diplomatic balance, manage international travel on the basis of reciprocity, and build a modern, service-oriented immigration system.
He said the home ministry would provide secretarial support to the cabinet committee overseeing the final revisions.
Explaining the rationale behind the changes, Nasimul said the previous policy was guided largely by strict reciprocity.
"The calculation used to be entirely reciprocal. If your country gave our citizens a certain type of visa for a certain period, we did the same.
“But in the international arena, we now see that in some cases our interests are greater."
He said Bangladesh wanted to place greater emphasis on economic benefits.
"If a foreign businessperson comes here, it benefits us because they can invest in our country. That's why this government wants the policy to have an economic thrust."
The committee includes representatives from the home, tourism and commerce ministries to ensure security concerns and sector-specific interests are reflected before the policy is finalised.
Nasimul said the visa process would be simplified to allow foreigners to enter Bangladesh more quickly, noting that greater foreign investment would help bridge the country's capital shortage.
Asked whether the new policy introduces visa classifications, he said it contains 34 categories.
