Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh Bank has raised the remittance ceiling for medical treatment abroad, allowing banks to send up to $15,000 without prior approval an increase from the previous limit of $10,000.
According to a circular issued on Monday, while banks can now process an additional $5,000 on behalf of their clients, they must still obtain authorization for the remitter.
The decision comes amid a shift in patient preference from India—once the most popular destination for medical treatment—to more expensive countries such as Thailand, Singapore, the UK, and the US, largely due to ongoing visa complications under the interim government.
The circular states that the remitted amount may be paid directly to foreign hospitals or via international payment cards. Patients are also permitted to withdraw up to $5,000 in cash for immediate expenses.
Central bank officials said the expanded access to formal remittance channels aims to reduce reliance on informal systems such as hundi, which continue to undermine official remittance flows.
This move follows recent reforms easing foreign remittance procedures in sectors including education and IT services. Banks are now authorized to use international cards for payments related to tuition, visa fees, training programs, and medical costs.
