Bangladesh law lets the government set a maximum migration cost for overseas employment 1. Bangladesh Bank published the ministry's ceilings for 16 destinations, from Tk 97,780 for Bahrain to Tk 262,270 for Singapore 2. The same official report found actual worker payments were often far higher, including up to Tk 800,000 for Singapore 2. These are published ceilings, not a quote for every current job. Check the job-specific BMET approval before payment.
Lowest published ceiling
Bahrain, Tk 97,780 2
Highest published ceiling
Singapore, Tk 262,270 2
Saudi Arabia
Tk 165,000 2
Malaysia
Tk 160,000 2
Number of destinations
16 2
Legal power
Overseas Employment and Migrants Act, section 21 1
Date caution
Table published in January 2019 2

The published government ceilings

Bangladesh Bank's Research Department published this table in January 2019 and identified the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment as its source 2. The report calls the figures official migration costs to be followed by recruiting agents 2.

DestinationCost ceiling
BahrainTk 97,780 2
OmanTk 100,780 2
QatarTk 100,780 2
JordanTk 102,780 2
KuwaitTk 106,780 2
United Arab EmiratesTk 107,780 2
MaldivesTk 115,780 2
LebanonTk 117,780 2
EgyptTk 120,080 2
Brunei DarussalamTk 120,780 2
IraqTk 129,540 2
LibyaTk 145,780 2
MalaysiaTk 160,000 2
Saudi ArabiaTk 165,000 2
RussiaTk 166,640 2
SingaporeTk 262,270 2

What a ceiling means

Section 21 of the Overseas Employment and Migrants Act 2013 permits the government to set the maximum migration cost by order 1. A ceiling is a cap on what the recruiting agent may charge under the covered route. It is not a required price and does not prove that every job offer is approved.

The Bangladesh Bank report says the table applies to male workers sent by recruiting agents and that the amount includes airfare, passport fees, health fees and other related expenses 2. A government or BOESL programme can publish its own route terms, so the old table is not a payment instruction for every job 2,3.

The official record of overcharging

Bangladesh Bank found a sharp gap between the official ceilings and actual costs 2. Its survey recorded Singapore-bound workers paying up to Tk 800,000 against the Tk 262,270 ceiling 2. It linked high costs to scarce jobs, restrictive immigration rules, unethical recruitment, illegal visa trading and intermediaries 2.

The report says workers can be harmed twice, first by paying above the official rate and later by receiving lower wages than promised 2. It found that 64.8% of surveyed migration costs exceeded Tk 300,000 and 23.4% exceeded Tk 500,000 2. Those findings are adverse official evidence and are retained beside the government ceiling table.

Why the table needs a date

The table is an official published reference, but it is not a new 2026 order 2. Job routes can change, and a named recruitment programme can have its own approved terms. A programme amount does not replace the country table for every job in that destination 1,4.

No newer complete primary-source table replacing all 16 figures was located by 19 October 2026. Ask BMET for the approval tied to the exact employer, recruiting agency and job demand before paying.

Checks before payment

  • Verify the recruiting agency through the government agency portal 5
  • Ask for the BMET-approved job demand and written employment contract 5
  • Match the employer, occupation, salary and deductions to the contract 5
  • Ask BMET for the approved cost for that exact recruitment route 1,4
  • Use the payment method in the approval and keep the receipt 1,4
  • Report an unexplained amount through BMET or the ministry complaint route 5,6

Government recruitment routes

BOESL is the state-owned recruitment company and publishes current job notices through its official site 3. Read the exact notice for the employer, job, fee and payment route. An amount from an older annual report or another recruitment does not prove the price of a current job 3.

Common questions

What is the recruitment cost ceiling for Saudi Arabia?

The official table published by Bangladesh Bank lists Tk 165,000 2. Confirm the current job-specific BMET approval before payment.

What is the official limit for Malaysia?

The published table lists Tk 160,000 2. A later programme can use a different approved structure.

Does the ceiling include airfare?

Bangladesh Bank says the listed migration cost includes airfare, passport, health and other related expenses 2.

Can a worker pay less than the ceiling?

Yes. It is a maximum, not a required charge. BOESL has published lower-cost routes 3.

What if an agent asks for more?

Ask for the BMET approval for the exact job, pay only through the stated method, keep proof and use the official complaint route 4,6.

Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked on this page before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.

Sources

  1. Laws of Bangladesh: Overseas Employment and Migrants Act 2013, section 21
  2. Bangladesh Bank Research Department: A Survey Report on Loans for Expatriates, January 2019
  3. Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited: official recruitment site
  4. Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training: official site
  5. Government of Bangladesh Overseas Employment Platform
  6. Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment: citizen charter

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