As far as we know Bangladesh is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so documents are notarised, attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka and then by the Indian High Commission or an Assistant High Commission. Bangladesh is one of the few countries notified as a reciprocating territory, so its superior court money decrees can be executed in India. Bangladeshi citizens need RBI permission to buy or transfer property in India. India and Bangladesh have a tax treaty.
- Document route
- Bangladeshi notary, MOFA attestation, then Indian High Commission attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 30 minutes behind Bangladesh all year
- Foreign judgments in India
- Reciprocating territory: execution under section 44A
- Apostille with India
- Not in force as far as known: consular attestation (check current status)
Indians in Bangladesh and Bangladeshi families with ties to India
Indian engineers, garment and textile specialists, bankers and teachers work across Dhaka, Chattogram and Gazipur, and many keep homes and investments in India. On the other side, many Bangladeshi Hindu families have relatives, land and bank accounts in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and further afield, and families on both sides intermarry. Bangladeshi traders buy cotton, yarn, machinery and food grains from India, and Indian exporters are regularly owed money by Bangladeshi buyers.
We handle the Indian end: property disputes, partition of family land, powers of attorney, registration of cross-border marriages, recovering money from Indian parties, and enforcing Bangladeshi decrees in India. For a Bangladeshi citizen, FEMA rules on property and the bar on OCI cards make advice before acting especially important.
Signing documents in Bangladesh for use in India
Bangladesh is not, as far as we are aware, a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents follow the legalisation route. Please check the current position with us before you sign, as this can change. The usual chain is:
- Sign before a notary public in Bangladesh, with your passport or national identity card.
- Have the notarised document attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka, which certifies the notary's seal.
- Have it attested by the High Commission of India in Dhaka or the Assistant High Commission in Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna or Sylhet, then courier it to India and stamp it within three months.
Indian citizens can usually sign a power of attorney or affidavit directly before the consular officer at an Indian mission. Documents in Bangla need a certified English translation for courts and registries outside West Bengal, Tripura and Assam, and often within them as well.
Most requested services from Bangladesh
These six services cover most of what people and businesses in Bangladesh need from an Indian lawyer. Each page explains the route from Bangladesh, including attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indian mission, and what then happens in India.
Power of Attorney
A power attested by the Bangladeshi Ministry and the Indian mission lets a relative in India act for you.
Property Disputes
Encroachment, forged sales and family disputes over land in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and elsewhere.
Partition of Family Property
Dividing joint family land where co-owners live on both sides of the border.
Enforcing Foreign Judgments
Money decrees of Bangladeshi superior courts can be executed directly in India.
Marriage Registration
Indian and Bangladeshi couples register their marriage for visas, citizenship and property.
Money Recovery from India
Bangladeshi buyers and sellers recover unpaid dues from Indian trading partners.
Property rules for Bangladeshi citizens
Under the FEMA (Non-Debt Instruments) Rules 2019, a citizen of Bangladesh who lives outside India cannot acquire or transfer immovable property in India, other than a lease of up to five years, without prior RBI permission. This affects purchase, sale and gift, and heirs may need permission before inherited land is mutated or sold. Members of minority communities from Bangladesh living in India on long-term visas have a separate, limited permission to buy a home. People who were ever citizens of Bangladesh, or whose parents or grandparents were, are not eligible for an OCI card.
Indian citizens living in Bangladesh are NRIs and can buy and sell Indian property other than agricultural land freely. Our page on buying and selling property in India from abroad explains the process.
The India and Bangladesh tax treaty and moving money
India and Bangladesh have a double taxation avoidance agreement, in force since 1992, which lets Bangladeshi tax residents claim treaty rates on some Indian income with a tax residence certificate and Form 10F. Indian rent and capital gains are generally taxed in India. NRIs in Bangladesh can repatriate up to USD 1 million per financial year from an NRO account after tax, with Forms 15CA and 15CB. For Bangladeshi citizens, remitting Indian sale proceeds requires the RBI permission position to be settled first.
Bangladeshi judgments, marriages and family matters
Bangladesh has been notified as a reciprocating territory under section 44A of the Code of Civil Procedure. A certified copy of a money decree from a superior court in Bangladesh can therefore be filed for execution in an Indian district court, as if it were an Indian decree, subject to the exceptions in section 13. Decrees for taxes, fines or penalties are not covered. Our page on enforcing foreign judgments in India explains the process.
Marriages between Indian and Bangladeshi nationals are recognised in India if valid where performed. Where the couple will live in India, we advise on registration under the Special Marriage Act or the personal law, and on the long-term visa and citizenship options for the Bangladeshi spouse. Neither India nor Bangladesh is a party to the Hague Child Abduction Convention.
All services for clients in Bangladesh
NRI Property Law
- Property Disputes
- Encroachment & Illegal Possession
- Partition of Family Property
- Buying & Selling Property
- Title Search & Due Diligence
- Tenant Eviction
- Builder Delay & RERA
Inheritance & Documents
Cross-Border Family Law
- Divorce for NRIs
- International Child Custody
- Maintenance & Alimony
- Marriage Registration
- 498A & Dowry Case Defence
- OCI Card Issues
Doing Business in India
- Company Setup for Foreigners
- Indian Subsidiary Setup
- Branch & Liaison Office
- FDI & FEMA Compliance
- Trademark Protection in India
- Commercial Contracts
- Employment Law for Foreign Employers
- GST for Foreign Businesses
- Investing in Indian Startups
- Legal Advisory for NRI Investors
Disputes & Enforcement
- International Arbitration
- Enforcing Foreign Judgments
- Money Recovery from India
- Shareholder Disputes & NCLT
- Accident Compensation Claims
- Cyber & Investment Fraud
- Criminal Defence & Look Out Circulars
Cross-Border Tax & Money
Indian missions in Bangladesh
The High Commission in Dhaka and the Assistant High Commissions provide passport, visa and attestation services. Visa services for Bangladeshi nationals have been limited since 2024, so check current availability.
- High Commission of India, Dhaka
- Assistant High Commission of India, Chattogram
- Assistant High Commission of India, Rajshahi
- Assistant High Commission of India, Khulna
- Assistant High Commission of India, Sylhet
Frequently asked questions
Does Bangladesh issue apostilles for documents going to India?
As far as we know Bangladesh is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so documents are attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka and then by the Indian mission.
Can a Bangladeshi court decree be enforced in India?
Yes. Bangladesh is a reciprocating territory, so a money decree of a superior court can be executed in India under section 44A CPC, subject to section 13.
Can a Bangladeshi citizen buy or inherit property in India?
Buying, selling or gifting immovable property needs prior RBI permission. Inheritance is recognised, but transfer of the inherited land may also need permission.
Can my Bangladeshi spouse get an OCI card?
No. OCI is not available to anyone who is or was a citizen of Bangladesh. Long-term visa and citizenship routes may apply instead.
Do Bangla documents need translation?
Usually yes. Most Indian courts and banks want a certified English translation, even in West Bengal.
Can I sign a power of attorney at the Indian mission in Chattogram?
Indian citizens usually can, at the Assistant High Commission, which avoids the notary and Ministry steps.
Is there a tax treaty between India and Bangladesh?
Yes. The treaty in force since 1992 can reduce Indian tax on some income for Bangladeshi tax residents.
How do we communicate?
Over video calls, email and WhatsApp messages. Bangladesh is only half an hour ahead of India, so our working days overlap fully.