FEPD-1 Circular No. 29: Release of foreign exchange for study abroad through international cards

Foreign Exchange Policy Department-1 Bangladesh Bank Head Office Dhaka www.bb.org.bd FEPD-1 Circular No. 29 Date: August 10, 2026 All Authorized Dealers in Foreign Exchange in Bangladesh Release of foreign exchange for study abroad through international cards Dear Sirs, In terms of paragraph 29, Part-C of FE Circular No. 37 dated September 30, 2025, Authorized Dealers (ADs) are permitted to release foreign exchange in favor of Bangladeshi students in regular courses abroad, including undergraduate, postgraduate, language courses (whether or not a prerequisite to a bachelor’s degree), and professional diploma/certificate programs in recognized institutions. 02. It has been observed that, in certain cases, foreign educational institutions and related service providers require tuition fees and other education-related payments to be made through international cards, in accordance with their prescribed payment systems, including admission or enrollment platforms. In order to facilitate such legitimate transactions, it has been decided that ADs may issue and/or allow use of designated international cards for making overseas education-related payments, subject to the following terms and conditions: (a) The card shall be used exclusively for education-related payments as per paragraph 29 of FE Circular No. 37/2025. Transactions executed under this facility shall be treated separately and shall not form part of any travel quota or other foreign exchange entitlements under existing regulations. (b) The card may be issued as a debit, prepaid, or credit card. In the case of credit cards, the credit limit shall be determined in accordance with the issuing bank’s internal credit policy and within the prudential limits prescribed by Bangladesh Bank. (c) The card may be issued in the name of the student or the person bearing the student’s educational expenses. (d) Prior to enabling transactions, ADs shall complete all regulatory formalities and exercise due diligence in accordance with prevailing foreign exchange regulations, including KYC and AML/CFT compliance. (e) Upon satisfactory completion of the prescribed formalities, ADs may make the required amount of foreign exchange on the designated international card. The amount shall remain valid only for the period determined by the respective AD. (f) ADs shall establish adequate controls to ensure that: (i) transactions are limited to the required amount loaded in the designated cards; (ii) payments are made only to appropriate beneficiaries; (iii) transactions are completed within the validity period; and (iv) the card is used exclusively for the education-related purposes. Cont’d to page-2

-2- (g) ADs shall maintain proper records and monitor utilization to ensure compliance with the release of foreign exchange. Relevant documentary evidence shall be preserved and made available to Bangladesh Bank as and when required. 03. All transactions under this facility shall be reported to Bangladesh Bank through the TM Module using appropriate purpose codes. 04. All other instructions relating to the release of foreign exchange for overseas education shall remain unchanged. Please bring the contents of this Circular to the notice of all concerned for meticulous compliance. Yours faithfully,

(Md. Harun-Ar-Rashid) Director (FEPD-1) Phone: 9530123