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Bangladesh Company Registration Services
Bangladesh company registration is the legal incorporation of a company with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) under the Companies Act 1994. NetworkBD manages RJSC name clearance, drafts the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and files every form, typically completing incorporation in 5–7 working days once documents are verified — for both locally owned and up to 100% foreign-owned private limited companies.
Published: 27 September 2021 · Updated: August 2026 · Reviewed by the NetworkBD Corporate Services team, Bashundhara R/A, Dhaka.
Key facts about company registration in Bangladesh
- Governing law: The Companies Act 1994 governs the registration of private and public limited companies in Bangladesh.
- Authority: The Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) issues the Certificate of Incorporation; the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) registers foreign branch, liaison and representative offices.
- Minimum structure: A private limited company needs at least 2 shareholders and 2 directors; a One Person Company (OPC) needs a single shareholder.
- Name reservation: Once RJSC clears a proposed company name, it is reserved for 30 days.
- Foreign ownership: Up to 100% foreign shareholding is permitted in most sectors, with no statutory minimum capital for a standard private limited company.
What is company registration in Bangladesh?
Company registration in Bangladesh is the process of forming a legally recognised business entity with the RJSC under the Companies Act 1994. Registration gives the company a separate legal identity, limited liability for its shareholders, and the Certificate of Incorporation required to open a corporate bank account, sign contracts, and apply for a trade license. NetworkBD provides end-to-end company registration services for entrepreneurs, SMEs, and foreign investors setting up in Dhaka and across Bangladesh.
How to register a company in Bangladesh: step-by-step
Registering a private limited company with RJSC follows five defined stages, from name clearance to post-incorporation licensing.
- Apply for name clearance. Submit the proposed company name on the RJSC online portal and pay the name-clearance fee. RJSC issues a name-clearance certificate, and the approved name is reserved for 30 days.
- Prepare the incorporation documents. Draft the Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Articles of Association (AoA), and complete the RJSC filled-in forms (Form I, VI, IX, X and XII) covering directors, registered address, and share capital.
- File with RJSC and pay the fees. Submit the documents to RJSC; the registration fee and stamp duty are calculated on the company’s authorized share capital.
- Receive the Certificate of Incorporation. After RJSC verifies the filing, it issues the Certificate of Incorporation, the incorporation number, and certified copies of the MoA and AoA — usually within 5–7 working days.
- Complete post-registration steps. Obtain a trade license from the relevant city corporation, a Tax Identification Number (TIN) and VAT/BIN from the National Board of Revenue (NBR), and open a corporate bank account.
NetworkBD handles every stage on your behalf and, where required, provides a registered office address and a resident nominee for the RJSC filing.
What documents are required to register a company in Bangladesh?
To incorporate your company, NetworkBD needs the following information and documents from all directors and shareholders.
- One to three proposed company names, in order of preference.
- A short description of the intended business activities.
- National ID (for local) or passport copies (for foreign) of every director, shareholder, and beneficial owner.
- Proof of a registered office address in Bangladesh (NetworkBD can provide one if required).
- The amount of authorized and paid-up share capital.
- The shareholding percentage of each shareholder, where there is more than one.
- Contact details for shareholders, beneficial owners, and directors.
- The source and origin of the funds to be invested in the business.
Types of company you can register in Bangladesh
The right structure depends on the number of owners, the capital available, and whether the investor is local or foreign.
| Company type | Minimum shareholders | Minimum paid-up capital | Foreign ownership | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Limited Company | 2 (maximum 50) | No statutory minimum (BDT 1; ~BDT 50,000–100,000 in practice) | Up to 100% | Most SMEs and foreign investors |
| One Person Company (OPC) | 1 | BDT 2,500,000 (25 lakh) minimum | Single owner | Solo founders wanting limited liability |
| Partnership Firm | 2 partners | No statutory minimum | Local | Small local partnerships |
| Branch / Liaison / Representative Office | Foreign parent company | BIDA-approved inward remittance | Foreign parent | Foreign companies entering the market |
For most local entrepreneurs and foreign investors, a private limited company is the practical default because it allows up to 100% foreign ownership, limited liability, and an unrestricted number of business activities.
How long does company registration take, and what does it cost?
RJSC incorporation itself usually takes 5–7 working days after name clearance and document verification, provided the Registrar raises no objections. Full operational setup — trade license, TIN, VAT/BIN registration, and a corporate bank account — generally adds a further two to four weeks. Government registration fees and stamp duty are set by RJSC on a sliding scale tied to the authorized share capital, so a company with higher authorized capital pays higher filing fees. NetworkBD provides a fixed, itemised quotation covering RJSC fees and professional charges before any work begins, so there are no surprise costs.
Registering a company in Bangladesh as a foreign investor
Foreign companies and international investors can own up to 100% of a Bangladeshi private limited company in most sectors, with no requirement for a local shareholder or partner. Foreign directors do not need to be residents, though the company must maintain a registered office address in Bangladesh. Foreign-owned industrial and commercial projects register with BIDA, and businesses that prefer not to incorporate a subsidiary can instead open a BIDA-approved branch, liaison, or representative office. NetworkBD supports foreign clients with the full pathway — RJSC incorporation, BIDA registration, corporate bank account opening, and expatriate work-permit sponsorship.
Why choose NetworkBD for company registration
NetworkBD is a Dhaka-based corporate services firm handling company registration, corporate secretarial, accounting, taxation, and immigration for local and international clients. Every engagement is managed by a dedicated coordinator who prepares your RJSC filing, keeps the incorporation compliant with the Companies Act 1994, and delivers the certified incorporation documents so you can focus on launching operations. Explore our related Bangladesh company incorporation services, the full guide to starting a business in Bangladesh, or, for overseas parent companies, our branch office setup and foreign company registration. After incorporation we also assist with your certificate of incorporation, VAT registration, and business license application.
Sources & authorities
- Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) — roc.gov.bd
- Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) — bida.gov.bd
- National Board of Revenue (NBR), for TIN and VAT/BIN — nbr.gov.bd
- The Companies Act 1994 — bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd
Frequently asked questions about company registration in Bangladesh
How long does company registration take in Bangladesh?
RJSC incorporation usually takes 5–7 working days after name clearance and document verification, provided the Registrar raises no objections. Full operational setup — trade license, TIN, VAT/BIN registration, and a corporate bank account — typically adds a further two to four weeks.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Bangladesh?
Yes. Foreign investors can hold up to 100% of the shares in a Bangladeshi private limited company in most sectors, with no local shareholding requirement. Foreign directors need no residency, but the company must maintain a registered office address in Bangladesh.
What is the minimum capital to register a company in Bangladesh?
A standard private limited company has no statutory minimum paid-up capital — legally it can be BDT 1, though BDT 50,000 to 100,000 is practical for bank-account and operational purposes. A One Person Company (OPC) requires a minimum paid-up capital of BDT 2,500,000 (25 lakh).
Which authority registers companies in Bangladesh?
The Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) registers all limited companies, partnerships, and firms under the Companies Act 1994. Foreign branch, liaison, and representative offices are approved and registered by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
Can anyone open a branch office in Bangladesh?
Yes, a foreign parent company can open a branch or liaison office with BIDA permission. A liaison or representative office cannot earn local income and is limited to market research, liaison work, and coordinating the parent company’s activities in Bangladesh.
Which foreign countries invest most in Bangladesh?
According to Bangladesh Bank foreign direct investment data, the largest sources of FDI into Bangladesh include China, the United Kingdom, South Korea, the United States, India, and Singapore. Investment is concentrated in textiles, power, banking, and telecommunications.