Bangladesh

Bangladesh is one of the few countries in the region with investment provisions written into its immigration framework, though neither functions as an investment migration program in the sense international investors would recognise.

Bangladesh Bank publishes qualifying thresholds for both permanent residence and citizenship, but there is no dedicated processing unit, no published timeline and no international marketing of either route.

Investors should treat the published figures as a starting point for enquiry rather than a defined program.

Bangladesh Residency by Investment

Bangladesh offers permanent resident status to foreign nationals investing a minimum of $75,000 in a local company, on a non-repatriable basis.

The provision is intended to draw foreign capital into Bangladeshi business and encourage long-term commercial partnerships.

In practice, the route sees little use by international investors, and documentation requirements are handled case by case rather than under a published rulebook.

Established alternatives exist across Europe, where the golden visa programs offer defined timelines, licensed agents and a clear path to permanent residence.

The Portugal Golden Visa requires a qualifying fund investment from €500,000 and asks for seven days a year in the country, and it is possible to apply for Portuguese citizenship after ten years of legal residence.

Bangladesh Citizenship by Investment

Bangladesh Bank lists citizenship as available on an investment of at least $500,000, or on the transfer of $1,000,000 to a recognised financial institution, in both cases non-repatriable.

Very little detail exists beyond that entry, and the provision is not marketed internationally or handled by licensed agents in the way a formal program would be.

Bangladeshi nationals looking outward face few restrictions.

St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda all accept Bangladeshi applications on ordinary terms, as do Grenada and Dominica.

Bangladesh permits dual nationality, though holders must obtain a Dual Nationality Certificate from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and applicants should confirm the current position for their chosen country before proceeding.

Bangladesh Passport Strength and Ranking

Bangladesh ranks 198th of 199 on the La Vida Passport Value Index, with only Afghanistan below it.

The Bangladeshi passport reaches 55 of the world’s 227 destinations without a prior visa, representing 3.7% of world GDP and 6.2% of global travel measured by international visitor arrivals.

Economic access is the binding constraint at 3.7%. The passport opens almost none of the markets where international banking, business and investment take place, and Bangladeshi nationals require advance visas for the United States, the United Kingdom, the Schengen Area, China and Japan.

That gap is why demand for second citizenship among Bangladeshi families has grown steadily.

The Caribbean programs close most of it. Antigua and Barbuda ranks 65th on the Index, reaching 186 destinations, 58.8% of world GDP and 80.1% of global travel.

St Kitts and Nevis sits 85th with 191 destinations, the widest destination count of any Caribbean citizenship, and 43.9% of world GDP. St Lucia ranks 99th, opening 179 destinations and 73.9% of global travel.

Citizenship and Residency by Investment Programs

See below a selection of countries offering residency and citizenship investment programs.

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