The Cabinet on Thursday approved the draft Visa Policy 2026, aiming to simplify visa procedures to attract greater foreign investment, businesses, skilled professionals and tourists to Bangladesh.
The approval came at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani told reporters after the meeting.
He said the proposed policy is intended to make the entry and exit of foreign nationals easier, helping position Bangladesh as a more attractive destination for investors and businesses while supporting economic growth.
The new policy will replace the Visa Policy 2006, reflecting the government's shift from a visa regime largely based on reciprocity to a more flexible and investment-oriented approach in response to the changing global economic landscape.
According to a press release issued by the Cabinet Division, the policy aims to streamline the arrival and departure of foreign nationals, attract foreign investment, businesses and skilled human resources, promote tourism and the hospitality sector, facilitate technology and knowledge transfer, maintain national security and diplomatic balance, and strengthen international travel management while continuing to take the principle of reciprocity into account.
The Cabinet Division said a Cabinet committee headed by the Finance Minister will further review the draft before it is finalised. The Ministry of Home Affairs will provide secretarial support to the committee.
