Want to Set Up a Branch Office in Bangladesh?
We Handle Everything – From BIDA Approval to Bank Account
45 working days. Zero travel required. Your foreign company operates in Bangladesh with full parent company control.
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Why Foreign Companies Struggle with Branch Office Setup
Most foreign companies face these roadblocks. We help you avoid them all.
Document Confusion
The Bangladesh Bank wants proof of your parent company’s financials. BIDA needs board resolutions from your head office. The Registrar of Joint Stock Companies demands articles of association.
One missing document? Your entire application goes back to square one.
Approval Delays
The Inter-Ministerial Committee meets twice a month. Miss your slot? Add 15 more days.
Most foreign firms wait 4-6 months because they don’t know which documents to submit when.
Hidden Costs
Government fee is just the start. Add trade license fees, tax registration, VAT registration, work permits for foreign nationals, office rental deposits, legal documentation…
Total? Usually 3x what companies budget for.
We Don’t Just File Papers. We Own Your Entire Setup.
See the difference between traditional consultants and our full-service approach.
Your 45-60 Day Branch Office
Setup Journey
WHAT WE DO
- Video call with your head office to understand business activities
- Prepare parent company board resolution (we draft, you sign)
- Collect and notarize Certificate of Incorporation from your home country
- Prepare certified copies of parent company’s MoA & AoA
- Draft proposed organogram of your Bangladesh office
- Review parent company’s latest financial statements and arrange audit if required
- Review and submit EPC or sub-contract agreements (for contractor projects)
- Validate project documentation for infrastructure or engineering contracts
WHAT YOU DO
- One 60-minute video call
- Sign documents we prepare
- Provide required parent company documents
WHAT WE DO
- Submit complete branch office application to BIDA in prescribed form
- Follow up with Inter-Ministerial Committee secretariat
- Respond to any queries from committee members
- Collect BIDA permission letter and approval letter
WHAT YOU DO
- Nothing. We handle all coordination.
WHAT WE DO
- Register branch as Foreign Company with RJSC and obtain Registration Certificate
- File 18A reporting with Bangladesh Bank under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947
- Register with National Board of Revenue for tax identification number
- Complete VAT registration
- Apply for business identification number
- Get trade license from City Corporation
WHAT YOU DO
- Provide office space details (we can help find office if needed)
WHAT WE DO
- Open local bank account with Bangladesh Bank approval
- Set up inward remittance channels for foreign exchange
- Register for export registration (if applicable)
- Prepare employment contracts for local personnel
- Apply for work permits for foreign nationals
- File registration with local chamber of commerce
WHAT YOU DO
- Approve bank signatory list
- Confirm initial remittance amount
Everything You Need. One Fixed Price.
No hidden modules. Our comprehensive package covers every regulatory requirement.
Documentation & Preparation
- Parent company board resolution drafting
- Memorandum and articles of association preparation
- Financial statements review and certification
- Power of attorney for Bangladesh representative
- All required documents translation and notarization
- Application forms completion in prescribed format
Government Liaison
- BIDA application submission and follow-up
- Inter-Ministerial Committee presentation
- RJSC registration and incorporation certificate
- National Board of Revenue tax registration
- City Corporation trade license processing
- Bangladesh Bank permissions for banking
Operational Support
- Office space identification assistance
- Rental agreement review and negotiation
- Local bank account opening (3-4 bank options)
- Foreign exchange and remittance setup
- Employment contracts for local staff
- Work permit applications for expats
Post-Setup Compliance
- First quarterly tax filing assistance
- Initial VAT return preparation
- Regulatory compliance checklist
- Ongoing query resolution (90 days)
Clear Pricing. No Surprises.
Professional fees are quoted after consultation. Government fees are transparent.
Basic Branch Office Setup
SERVICE OPERATIONS
Export/Import Business
TRADING & LOGISTICS
Is a Branch Office the Right Structure for Your Activities?
A Branch Office may conduct only the activities approved by BIDA. Your operations in Bangladesh must remain within the authorized scope mentioned in the approval letter.
A BIDA-APPROVED BRANCH OFFICE MAY —
Represent the parent company in commercial operations, including sales coordination and procurement
Provide professional, advisory, consultancy, contractor or sub-contractor services
Facilitate technical or financial collaboration with Bangladeshi entities
Conduct research, feasibility studies, and market analysis
Manage after-sales services of the parent company
Represent foreign airlines, shipping lines, or vessel operators
Conduct approved import and export operations
Perform other commercial activities strictly within BIDA-authorized scope
Perfect For
Logistics & Shipping Companies
You need a permanent presence to coordinate shipments, manage agents, and handle customs clearances. Branch office lets you sign contracts directly with Bangladeshi businesses.
Tech & Software Firms
You want to provide after-sales support, training, and consulting services without incorporating a separate legal entity in Bangladesh.
Manufacturing Representatives
Your parent company manufactures abroad but wants a Bangladesh presence for marketing, customer liaison, and order facilitation.
Foreign Airlines
Aviation regulations require registered presence. Branch office handles ticketing, marketing, and ground operations.
Banks & Financial Institutions
You need regulatory approval for liaison activities before full banking license. Branch office is your entry point.
Market Research Firms
You’re testing Bangladesh before committing to full subsidiary or joint venture.
Not Ideal For
Direct Manufacturing in Bangladesh
If you’re setting up factories, you need a private limited company or joint venture, not a branch office.
Local Sales & Retail
Branch offices cannot earn revenue from direct local sales in Bangladesh. You need a subsidiary.
Contract Bidding
Most government tenders require a separate legal entity. Branch office doesn’t qualify.
Large Local Workforce (50+)
Labor laws and operational complexity favor private limited company structure for large teams.
Long-term Investment (10y+)
Planning 10+ years? Consider subsidiary or joint venture for better tax treatment and profit repatriation flexibility.
Common Questions for
Branch Office Setup in Bangladesh
To obtain BIDA approval, the parent company must show financial strength and genuine business intent. This typically includes profitability, a minimum net worth of USD 1 million or a USD 10 million solvency support letter, and 2–3 work orders or contracts in Bangladesh.
Yes. A branch office must operate strictly within the scope approved by BIDA. It cannot: manufacture or produce goods locally, hold shares or invest in Bangladeshi companies, engage in retail trading beyond approved scope, or conduct activities outside the authorization stated in the BIDA approval letter. Any deviation from the approved scope may result in penalties or cancellation of approval.
Yes, but only from specific activities. Your branch office can provide services to your parent company’s clients, earn commission from international transactions, and conduct liaison activities. You cannot sell products directly to Bangladeshi customers or manufacture locally. Those require a subsidiary company.
There’s no minimum capital requirement for branch office setup. However, you need to show sufficient inward remittance to cover operational expenses. Most companies remit USD $50,000-100,000 initially to cover office rent (6-12 months advance), employee salaries, government fees, and operating expenses.
Yes. There are no restrictions on hiring local personnel. Your branch office can employ Bangladeshi citizens immediately after registration. For foreign nationals, you need work permits from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority. Processing takes 4-6 weeks. We handle the entire application.
Branch Office: Can conduct commercial activities, sign contracts and earn income, requires BIDA and Inter-Ministerial Committee approval, can employ local and foreign staff, needs tax registration and VAT registration.
Representative Office: Cannot conduct commercial activities (liaison and market research only), simpler approval process, cannot earn income in Bangladesh, limited staffing allowed.
Your branch office is operational once you receive: BIDA approval letter (Week 3-4), Certificate of incorporation from RJSC (Week 5-6), Trade license (Week 6-7), and Local bank account (Week 7-8). Most companies start limited operations after BIDA approval (Week 4) and full operations after bank account opening (Week 8).
Yes. Bangladesh allows profit repatriation for branch offices, subject to: paying corporate tax on Bangladesh-sourced income, obtaining Bangladesh Bank approval for remittance, and maintaining proper financial statements and tax filings. Repatriation typically takes 5-7 business days after Bangladesh Bank approval.
In 12+ years and 500+ applications, we’ve never had a BIDA rejection. Here’s why: we pre-screen your business model before applying, prepare documents exactly as Inter-Ministerial Committee expects, maintain relationships with BIDA officials for quick query resolution, and resubmit corrected documents within 24 hours if needed. If rejection happens (it won’t), we refund 100% of our service fee.
No. We handle 100% remotely if your parent company can: provide notarized documents by courier, sign board resolutions via digital signature, and authorize us via power of attorney. You only visit Bangladesh when you’re ready to open your office. Most clients visit during Week 7-8 to open bank accounts (some banks require in-person visit), sign office lease, and meet local team.
Still Have Questions About Branch Office Setup in Bangladesh?
What Foreign Investors Say About Our
Branch Office Setup Service
“Khan Akber & Co. made our Singapore-based logistics company’s Bangladesh branch office setup completely hassle-free. BIDA approval came in just 25 days, exactly as promised. Their team handled every government interaction while we stayed in Singapore. Professional, transparent, and incredibly efficient throughout the entire process.”
“Setting up our German manufacturing representative office seemed daunting until we found Khan Akber. They navigated the Inter-Ministerial Committee approval seamlessly, answered every question patiently, and delivered all registrations within 8 weeks. Worth every penny. Our Dhaka office is now fully operational and compliant.”
“As a UK-based software firm, we needed a Bangladesh presence without physical relocation. Khan Akber handled our branch office setup 100% remotely—RJSC registration, tax filings, bank account, everything. Their expertise saved us months of confusion. We’re now serving clients across South Asia from our Dhaka branch.”
Why Foreign Companies Choose Us For Branch Office Setup
500+ Foreign Companies
Registered companies from 40+ countries including UK, USA, China, and Japan.
12+ Years Experience
Specialized exclusively in foreign investment since 2012. This is all we do.
Licensed CAs
Team certified by ICAB, ACCA, and CIMA. Compliance experts.
Direct Govt Relations
Weekly visits to BIDA and RJSC. We know the officials by name.
Fixed Pricing
No hourly billing. No hidden fees. Official receipts for all govt payments.
100% Success Rate
Zero rejections. If we take your case, we deliver the approval.