Moving to the United States from Bangladesh

Tax Obligations for Bangladeshi Nationals in the US

Once you become a US tax resident, through holding a green card or meeting the Substantial Presence Test, you are taxed on worldwide income ^[1]. The Substantial Presence Test uses a day-count formula: all days present in the current year, one-third of days in the prior year, and one-sixth of days in the second prior year, with a 183-day threshold ^[2].

The US-Bangladesh Tax Treaty.

The US and Bangladesh have a bilateral income tax treaty signed in 2006 ^[3]. The treaty prevents double taxation by assigning taxing rights by income type and providing relief through foreign tax credits. If you earn income taxable in both countries, you claim a credit on your US return using Form 1116 for qualifying Bangladeshi taxes paid ^[4].

FBAR and FATCA.

If you maintain Bangladeshi bank accounts after moving, you must file FinCEN Form 114 (FBAR) once the aggregate balance of all foreign accounts exceeds $10,000 at any point during the year ^[5]. FATCA Form 8938 has higher thresholds and covers additional asset categories ^[6]. Bangladesh does not have a FATCA intergovernmental agreement with the US ^[7], which affects how Bangladeshi financial institutions handle US-person reporting requirements.

No totalization agreement.

The US and Bangladesh do not have a Social Security Totalization Agreement ^[8]. Work credits earned in Bangladesh cannot be combined with US work credits for Social Security benefit eligibility. You will need to accumulate 40 credits (approximately 10 years) of US employment to qualify for US Social Security retirement benefits independently ^[9].

State taxes.

US states set their own income tax rates. States with significant Bangladeshi communities, including New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Texas, have varying tax structures. New York and New Jersey have state income taxes, while Texas has no state income tax. Your choice of state affects your overall tax burden significantly.

Healthcare and Insurance

The US does not have a universal public healthcare system. Coverage depends on employment, income, and immigration status.

Employer-sponsored insurance.

Most full-time US employers offer health insurance. The employer covers a portion of the premium, with the employee paying the remainder through payroll deductions. Plans vary in coverage, deductibles, copays, and provider networks. Understanding the differences between HMO, PPO, and HDHP plan types is important when selecting coverage.

The ACA Marketplace.

Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and certain visa holders can purchase coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace at healthcare.gov. Subsidies based on income can reduce premiums significantly. Open enrollment runs annually, typically November through mid-January. Gaining lawful permanent resident status or moving to a new state triggers a special enrollment period.

Medicaid.

Low-income immigrants may qualify for Medicaid, though most lawful permanent residents face a five-year waiting period. Some states have expanded coverage to immigrants who are within the five-year window. Refugees and asylees qualify immediately without the waiting period.

Community health centers.

Federally qualified health centers serve patients regardless of insurance status, immigration status, or ability to pay. They operate in most US cities and are an important resource during the transition period before employer or marketplace coverage begins. Fees are scaled based on income.

Prescription drugs.

US medication costs are substantially higher than in Bangladesh. Bring documentation from your Bangladeshi doctor listing all current medications by generic name (International Nonproprietary Name) and dosage. Some medications readily available in Bangladesh require US prescriptions. Establish care with a US physician early to ensure continuity of any ongoing treatments.

Visa Pathways for Bangladeshi Citizens

Bangladesh is not a Visa Waiver Program country. Bangladeshi citizens require a visa for all travel to the US, including tourism ^[1]. All applications require an in-person interview at the US Embassy in Dhaka.

Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery.

Bangladesh is eligible for the annual DV lottery, which allocates up to 55,000 immigrant visas to nationals of countries with historically low immigration rates to the US ^[2]. Bangladeshi nationals are among the highest applicant populations for the lottery globally. Registration is free and conducted online through the State Department during the annual registration period. Selection is random, and winners complete consular processing at the US Embassy in Dhaka.

Family-based immigration.

US citizens and lawful permanent residents can petition for Bangladeshi family members. Immediate relatives of US citizens (spouses, unmarried children under 21, parents) are not subject to annual numerical limits. Other family preference categories have per-country limits and can involve wait times of many years, particularly for siblings (F4 category) of US citizens ^[3].

H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa.

Bangladeshi professionals in specialty occupations can be sponsored by a US employer for an H-1B visa ^[2]. The visa is subject to an annual lottery with a statutory cap ^[2]. Bangladeshi H-1B holders receive visas valid for 12 months with multiple entries ^[1], requiring more frequent renewals than nationals from some other countries.

L-1 Intracompany Transferee.

The L-1 allows multinational company employees to transfer to US offices ^[2]. L-1A covers managers and executives, L-1B covers specialized knowledge workers. No annual cap applies to individual petitions ^[2]. Bangladeshi L-1 holders receive visas valid for 12 months ^[1].

Employment-based green cards.

Permanent residence uses five preference categories (EB-1 through EB-5) ^[3]. EB-1 covers priority workers with extraordinary ability ^[3]. EB-2 covers advanced degree holders ^[3]. EB-3 covers skilled workers and professionals ^[3]. Each typically requires employer sponsorship and labor certification for EB-2 and EB-3 ^[3]. Bangladeshi nationals may experience longer wait times in some EB categories due to per-country allocation limits.

Student visas.

The F-1 student visa allows full-time study at accredited US institutions ^[2]. Bangladeshi F-1 holders receive visas valid for 60 months with multiple entries ^[1]. Optional Practical Training (OPT) provides up to 12 months of post-graduation work authorization, with STEM graduates eligible for a 24-month extension ^[4].

No E-2 Treaty Investor Visa.

Bangladesh does not have a bilateral investment treaty with the US, so E-2 treaty investor visas are not available to Bangladeshi nationals ^[1].

Banking and Finances

Opening US bank accounts.

You can open a bank account with a passport, visa or immigration documentation, and a US address. Major banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) accept foreign nationals with valid immigration status. Some banks accept an ITIN in place of an SSN for account opening.

Social Security Number.

Apply at a Social Security Administration office with your passport and immigration documents. Green card holders, H-1B holders, and DV lottery winners with immigrant visas are all eligible. Processing takes two to four weeks. An SSN is required for employment, tax filing, and most financial services.

Remittances to Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi immigrants in the US send substantial remittance flows to Bangladesh. Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit, Western Union, and bKash partnerships serve the US-Bangladesh corridor. Compare exchange rates (USD to BDT) and fees across services. Bangladesh Bank regulations govern how remittances are received, and mobile banking (bKash, Nagad) has made receiving money easier for families in Bangladesh.

Building US credit history.

Bangladeshi credit records do not transfer to the US. You start with no credit score. Secured credit cards (requiring a cash deposit as collateral) are the standard first step. Some issuers offer cards specifically designed for immigrants without US credit history. Building a usable credit score takes at least six to twelve months of consistent on-time payments.

Retirement accounts.

Once employed, you may access your employer's 401(k) plan, often with matching contributions. Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are available to anyone with earned income and a valid SSN. The US-Bangladesh tax treaty affects how certain income types are taxed when received across borders ^[1], but since there is no totalization agreement, US Social Security benefits require 40 quarters of independent US work credits.

Moving Logistics

Flights.

Direct flights do not operate between Bangladesh and the United States. Common routing options include connections through the Middle East (Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi) via Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad, or through Southeast Asia and East Asia. Biman Bangladesh Airlines does not operate direct US routes. Total travel time from Dhaka to New York is typically 18 to 24 hours depending on connections.

Shipping household goods.

Ocean freight from Bangladesh to a US port takes approximately six to eight weeks. Container logistics from Chittagong port are workable but require a freight forwarder with South Asian experience. Many Bangladeshi immigrants ship personal items and cultural goods rather than full household containers. US Customs requires a detailed inventory of all shipped items.

Documents to prepare.

Bring originals and certified English translations of: birth certificate, educational certificates and transcripts (SSC, HSC, university degrees), marriage certificate (kabin nama for Muslim marriages, or civil registry document), police clearance certificate, and medical examination records required by your visa category. The US Embassy in Dhaka specifies acceptable document formats ^[1].

Driver's license.

Bangladeshi driver's licenses are not valid for long-term use in the US. Each state has its own requirements. Most states require written and road tests. Some states may not accept a Bangladeshi license as proof of driving experience. International Driving Permits can provide a temporary bridge in certain states but are not a substitute for a state license.

Pets.

Dogs entering the US must meet CDC requirements updated in 2024, including being at least six months old, microchipped (ISO 15-digit), and having a valid rabies vaccination. Dogs from Bangladesh may face additional requirements related to rabies risk classification. Verify current CDC rules before travel.

Bangladeshi community hubs.

New York City (particularly Jackson Heights, Queens and the Bronx), the greater Detroit area (especially Hamtramck), and parts of New Jersey, Virginia, and Texas have significant Bangladeshi communities. These areas have Bangladeshi grocery stores, restaurants, mosques, and community organizations that can ease the transition.

Cultural Adjustment

Language.

English is widely taught in Bangladeshi schools, and many Bangladeshi professionals have strong English skills. Workplace English in the US involves specific conventions around email tone, meeting participation, and casual conversation that develop over time. Bengali-speaking communities in New York, Detroit, and other cities provide a linguistic and cultural support network.

Workplace culture.

US workplaces generally emphasize individual initiative, direct communication, and punctuality. Meetings start on time and follow agendas. Email is the primary professional communication channel. Hierarchy is flatter than in many Bangladeshi organizations. Vacation time is not federally mandated; most employers offer two to three weeks of paid time off initially.

Food and groceries.

Bangladeshi and South Asian grocery stores are common in areas with significant Bangladeshi populations. Rice, dal, fish, spices (turmeric, cumin, chili), and halal meat are widely available in South Asian grocery stores and increasingly in mainstream supermarkets. Jackson Heights in Queens, New York has a particularly dense concentration of Bangladeshi restaurants and food shops.

Religious communities.

Mosques serving the Bangladeshi community exist in most major US cities. The Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, Michigan, and numerous mosques in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia serve large Bangladeshi congregations. Hindu temples and cultural organizations also serve the Bangladeshi Hindu community. Religious institutions often function as community anchors, providing social support, cultural events, and networking for new arrivals.

Climate.

Bangladesh's tropical monsoon climate differs dramatically from most US regions. Northern US cities experience cold winters with temperatures well below freezing, snow, and ice. Even mid-Atlantic and southern cities can have winter temperatures that are significantly colder than Dhaka. Invest in proper winter clothing, including insulated coats, boots, and layers, before or immediately upon arrival.

Education system.

US public schools are free for all children regardless of immigration status. School quality varies by district, often correlating with neighborhood housing costs. Many school districts offer English as a Second Language (ESL) or English Language Learner (ELL) programs. Bangladeshi community organizations in cities like New York and Detroit provide after-school tutoring and cultural programs.

Tipping.

Tipping culture in the US is significantly different from Bangladesh. Restaurant tips of 18 to 20 percent are standard, and service workers depend on tips as a significant portion of their income. Tips are also expected for taxi drivers, hairdressers, hotel staff, and food delivery. Not tipping is considered a serious social error.

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