How to open your LLC in Bangladesh

A practical overview. Steps below reflect typical transactions and administrative steps; timings are indicative.

Key stages

  1. Choose and reserve a company name and prepare the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
  2. Collect required identity documents and authorisations for directors and shareholders.
  3. File incorporation documents with the Registrar and obtain the incorporation certificate.
  4. Register for Tax Identification Number (TIN) and, where applicable, VAT and trade licences.
  5. Arrange post-incorporation compliance: banking, employment registrations, and sector permits.

Immediate actions

  • Reserve company name
  • Prepare MOA & AOA
  • Identify directors and beneficial owners
  • Decide on paid-up capital and share structure

For in-depth advice tailored to a sector or investor type, see Our practices and the practice pages for foreign direct investment and financial services regulation.

Essential business certificates

Certificates and licences establish legal status and satisfy regulatory or commercial requirements. Typical items include:

Certificate / registrationNotes / typical time
Incorporation certificateIssued by the Registrar on successful filing
Trade licenceObtained from local authorities; often 3–5 working days
Tax Identification Number (TIN)Register through NBR portal; commonly issued immediately
VAT registrationRequired for eligible businesses; commonly 5–7 working days
Fire and safety certificatesMandatory for many industrial sites; typically 7–10 working days
Environmental clearanceWhere applicable; timing varies by industry and project scale

Specific sectors may require additional registrations (for example, banking, telecoms or pharmaceuticals). See Financial services and sector guidelines for specialist matters.

Ongoing compliance requirements

After incorporation businesses commonly need to maintain:

  • Up-to-date statutory registers and meeting minutes
  • Annual filings and tax returns with the National Board of Revenue
  • Renewal of trade licences and sector permits
  • Employment and payroll compliance under labour law

For workforce and employment matters see Employment & Labour. For tax planning and compliance, see Tax.

Foreign investor requirements

The following points are commonly relevant to inbound investors.

Capital & workforce

  • Paid-up capital: some guidance suggests a minimum (source notes USD 100,000 for foreign businesses hiring expatriates); this is a commercial threshold — check sector rules.
  • Workforce ratio: examples peg a foreign employee ratio limit at 20:1 local to expat for some arrangements.

Structure & approvals

  • Foreign directors are generally permitted; local director requirements vary by sector.
  • Registration with investment authorities (e.g. BIDA) may be needed depending on project and incentives.

For inbound investment support see Foreign direct investment and for cross-border tax matters see Tax advisers.

Process checklist & typical timeline

A concise checklist and expected timings (indicative):

StepTypical timing
Name reservation & document preparation1–5 working days
Registration & incorporationVaries by completeness; common target 7–20 working days
Trade licence3–5 working days
TINImmediate via NBR portal
VAT registration5–7 working days
Fire & environmental certificates7–10 working days or as required

Target incorporation timelines are often around 30 working days from start to ready-to-operate, depending on sector approvals and completeness of documentation.

Practical checklist before you start

  • Clear objectives and proposed activities
  • Draft memorandum and articles consistent with business model
  • Identity documents for directors and beneficial owners
  • Bank account arrangements and funds for paid-up capital
  • Plan for sector-specific permits where required

FAQs on company incorporation in Bangladesh

What are the initial steps for incorporation?
Choose a company name, prepare the Memorandum and Articles of Association, gather director identities and file with the Registrar.
How long does the incorporation process take?
Typical completion ranges with well-prepared documentation are around 30 working days, though some registrations may be faster and some sector approvals can extend the timeline.
What documents are required for incorporation?
Commonly: Memorandum of Association, Articles of Association, identity and address proof for directors and shareholders, and evidence of paid-up capital where relevant.
Can I incorporate remotely?
Remote incorporation is possible in many cases. Remote processes typically require notarised or apostilled documents, and local representation for some filings. We can assist with practical steps; see Services.
Are tax holidays available?
Tax incentives, including time-limited holidays, can be available for certain sectors and projects. Eligibility depends on sector, location and investment scale — review specific statutory schemes and investment authority approvals.
Is 100% foreign ownership permitted?
Many sectors permit 100% foreign ownership; exceptions and restrictions apply in specified areas. Refer to sector rules and investment approvals for details.

Contact & next steps

If you would like tailored advice, a short scoping call clarifies requirements and likely timelines. For matters involving arbitration, employment, tax or cross-border finance, connect to the relevant teams below.

Email: info@trw.org  |  Phone: see /contact/
Explore practices: Foreign investment, Financial services, Tax, Employment

Ready to begin?

Start with a brief consultation to scope your incorporation, permits and tax position. We will identify required documents and typical timing for your project.

Legal-information disclaimer

This page provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements and timings vary by circumstance and change over time. For an opinion tailored to your situation, contact TRW through the links above or info@trw.org.