Bankers propose easing NID rule for expats

Bank managing directors on Monday proposed relaxing the National Identity Card (NID) requirement for expatriates seeking to open bank accounts.

They also urged to raise the loan ceiling against their deposits to encourage greater participation by non-resident Bangladeshis in the country's banking system.

The proposals came at a meeting between Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman and bank managing directors at the central bank's head office in Dhaka. Deputy Governors Kabir Ahmed and Md Sarwar Hossain were also present at the meeting.

Bankers suggested allowing expatriates to open Non-Resident Taka Accounts using passports instead of NIDs. The suggestion was put forward as many Bangladeshis living abroad do not possess NIDs. 

They also called for reviewing the existing Tk 10 lakh loan ceiling against deposits held in expatriate accounts. The meeting also discussed introducing a remote digital account-opening system similar to Pakistan's Roshan Digital Account.

Participants discussed measures to increase foreign currency inflows and stabilise the US dollar exchange rate. Bankers stressed the need to forecast demand and manage dollar reserves. So that sudden pressure on the foreign exchange market can be avoided.

Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan said the bankers shared their views on simplifying non-resident accounts and boosting foreign currency inflows. 

He said that at first the proposals needed to be submitted in writing. Then the central bank would consider the key recommendations and issue fresh guidelines.

Earlier on 23 June 2026, Bangladesh Bank issued a circular allowing expatriates to open Non-Resident Convertible Current, Savings and Fixed Deposit Accounts with funds remitted through banking channels. 

Account holders can freely repatriate their principal and returns or use the funds for domestic payments, foreign currency conversion, foreign direct investment, and portfolio investments.

Under the circular, domestic banking units can also provide loans against these deposits to expatriates or their nominated beneficiaries for personal or business purposes. This excludes investments in agriculture, forestry and housing.

Source: BSS