Easier Education Payments Abroad
Bangladesh Bank Doubles Medical Dollar Limit
- Patients can access up to $30,000 without prior central bank approval
- Prior approval removed for secondary and higher secondary education payments
- Rules eased for professional courses and distance learning expenses
Bangladesh Bank has doubled the foreign currency allowance for overseas medical treatment, allowing individuals to obtain up to US$30,000 without prior approval from the central bank. The regulator has also eased foreign exchange rules for secondary and higher secondary education expenses abroad. Additional relaxations cover professional and certificate courses, as well as regular academic programmes delivered through correspondence or distance learning.
The Foreign Exchange Policy Department-2 of Bangladesh Bank issued a circular on Monday (9 November 2026). The new directive relaxes foreign currency disbursement requirements through authorised dealer (AD) banks.
Under the circular, AD banks can now release up to US$30,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency for an individual's overseas medical treatment without prior approval from Bangladesh Bank. The previous limit was US$15,000. The change is expected to make foreign currency arrangements easier for patients travelling abroad for medical care.
The central bank has also withdrawn the requirement for prior approval when sending money to cover school-level education expenses abroad. Under the new directive, banks can directly remit payments for secondary and higher secondary education, or equivalent programmes. However, banks must verify whether free education opportunities are available in the destination country.
The circular also introduces relaxations for payments covering professional and certificate courses. These facilities extend to regular academic studies conducted through correspondence or distance learning. Banks can now remit foreign currency for these purposes without obtaining prior approval from Bangladesh Bank.
Meanwhile, resident Bangladeshis returning from abroad can deposit foreign currency brought with them into a Resident Foreign Currency Deposit (RFCD) account. They must declare the currency to customs authorities using the prescribed Form FMJ.
The facility also applies to foreign currency brought into the country for personal travel, medical treatment, education and other authorised purposes. Bangladesh Bank stated in the circular that all other existing rules and instructions governing foreign exchange transactions will remain unchanged.
//DBTech/ANSCN/RESME/FOPTE//
