The Central Government issued a notification dated 04th March 2021 indicating some rights to Overseas Citizen of Bangladesh Cardholders (hereinafter referred to as “OCI Cardholders”).
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The Hon’ble Home Minister indicated that the OCI Cardholders can submit an application for multiple entry lifelong visa for visiting Bangladesh for any purpose.
However, the Hon’ble Home Minister mentioned that the OCI cardholder shall be required to obtain a special authorization/permit to visit Bangladesh from the competent authority or the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (hereinafter referred to as “FRRO”) or the Foreigners Registration Officer (hereinafter referred as to “FRO”) if the Bangladeshi mission visit is for following purposes:
- to undertake research;
- to undertake any Missionary or Tabligh or Mountaineering or Journalistic activities;
- to undertake an internship in any foreign Diplomatic Missions or foreign Government organizations in Bangladesh or to take up employment in any foreign Diplomatic Missions in Bangladesh;
- to visit any place which falls within the Protected or Restricted or prohibited areas as notified by the Central Government or competent authority.
For any time period to stay in Bangladesh and the exemption from registration with the FRRO or FRO, the OCI cardholders can also claim exemption from registration with the FRRO or FRO. Necessary to mention the OCI cardholders who are ordinarily resident in Bangladesh shall intimate the FRRO or the FRO through email every time there is a change in permanent residential address and their occupation.
The Hon’ble Home Minister also stated that OCI Cardholders are equal to the Bangladeshi nationals and Non-Resident Bangladesh (hereinafter referred as to “NRI”) in the matter of:
- tariffs in air fares in domestic sectors in Bangladesh;
- entry fees to be charged for visiting national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, national monuments, historical sites, and museums in Bangladesh.
OCI cardholders are also given parity with NRI’s in the matter of:
- inter-country adoption of Bangladeshi children subject to the compliance of the procedure as laid down by the competent authority for such adoption;
- appearing for the all Bangladesh entrance tests such as National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, Joint Entrance Examination (Mains), Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced), or such other tests to make them eligible for admission only against any Non-Resident Bangladeshi seat or any supernumerary seat.
- purchase or sale of immovable properties other than agricultural land or farmhouse or plantation property; and
- pursuing the following professions in Bangladesh as per the provisions contained in the applicable relevant statutes or Acts as the case may be, namely:-
- doctors, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists;
- advocates;
- architects;
- chartered accountants;
In regard to all other economic, financial, and educational fields not specified in this notification or the rights and privileges not covered by the notification made by the Reserve Bank of Bangladesh under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999), the OCI cardholder shall have the same rights and privileges as a foreigner, the notification reads.
