Remittances sent by millions of Bangladeshi expatriates are the backbone of the country's economy. While informal channels like Hundi sometimes tempt senders with slightly higher exchange rates, they are illegal, risky, and run the risk of fraud. To make official channels more attractive, the Government of Bangladesh provides a flat 2.5% cash incentive on inward remittances. Many commercial banks offer an additional bank bonus, making legal transfers highly profitable. This guide explains how incentives are calculated, and how to verify BDT payouts.
What is the Remittance Cash Incentive?
The remittance cash incentive is a monetary reward paid by the government to expatriates who send foreign currency to Bangladesh through official channels (commercial banks, money transfer operators, and MFS like bKash/Nagad). The standard government incentive is 2.5% of the converted BDT value. For example, if you send USD which converts to ৳100,000, your recipient gets ৳102,500.
Commercial Bank Bonuses (Up to 5% Total Bonus)
To attract foreign currency deposits, major banks in Bangladesh (such as Sonali, Agrani, Islami Bank, City Bank) regularly offer an additional 2.5% incentive out of their own treasury funds. This means senders can receive a total incentive of 5.0% on their transfers. This incentive matches or exceeds the rates offered by informal networks, while keeping your money 100% safe, secure, and legal.
Eligible Channels for Remittance Incentives
- Direct Bank-to-Bank Transfers (credited to the receiver's savings account)
- Cash Pickup over the Counter (receiver collects cash from a local bank branch using a PIN)
- Mobile Financial Services (MFS) wallets (inward remittance directly to personal bKash, Nagad, or Rocket accounts)
Calculating your Payout and Mobile Wallet Cash Out Fees
When remittances are sent to mobile wallets, beneficiaries often want to withdraw the money. While the cash incentive helps offset cash-out charges, it is useful to know the net amount remaining. Mobile wallet cash-out fees differ by provider and withdrawal mode:
Mobile Wallet Cash Out Charges in Bangladesh
| Mobile Wallet | Cash-Out via App | Cash-Out via USSD | Cash-Out Fee per ৳10,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| bKash | 1.85% | 2.00% | ৳185.00 (App) / ৳200.00 (USSD) |
| Nagad | 1.25% | 1.50% | ৳125.00 (App) / ৳150.00 (USSD) |
| Rocket | 1.50% | 1.50% | ৳150.00 (App & USSD) |
Tip
Use the CostNest Remittance Cash Incentive Calculator to convert expat currencies (USD, SAR, AED, MYR, SGD) to BDT, calculate government and bank incentives, and check bKash/Nagad cash-out fees instantly.