Visa-free regime
Citizens of visa exempt countries are allowed to stay in the country for up to 90 days:
- Barbados
- Bhutan
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Jamaica
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Papua New Guinea
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- Samoa
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Zambia
Required documents:
- A negative PCR test result for COVID-19 is mandatory for all foreign travelers arriving in Bangladesh. A negative PCR test must be submitted 72 hours prior to departure.
- Confirmation of COVID-19 vaccination for travelers arriving in Bangladesh. The last dose of vaccine must be taken at least 14 days before departure.
- Original passport or travel document of a citizen of the above mentioned countries, valid for at least 6 months on the date of travel and with at least 2 visa pages without any marks.
- Travel itinerary;
- Proof of sufficient funds to stay in and leave Bangladesh;
Visa regime
Citizens of other countries need to obtain a visa by following this link: https://www.visa.gov.bd/#
Passengers must fill out a "health declaration form" and present it before departure. The form can be found at https://www.visa.gov.bd/DownloadMRVForm.aspx
Visa requirements for Bangladesh
When you apply for a visa to Bangladesh, you need to carry several documents that prove the purpose of your visit, such as these:
- Printed out Bangladesh visa application form.
- Your passport, which is valid for at least another six months
- Passport-sized photos taken on a white background
- Proof of payment of Bangladesh visa fee
For Bangladesh tourist visa:
- Flight itinerary
- Hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from the host country together with your passport
The Bangladesh visa application procedure is as follows:
- Fill out and print the online application form
- Send the form to the Bangladesh diplomatic mission
Filling out an online application for a visa to Bangladesh
To start the Bangladesh visa application process, you must first fill out an online application form https://www.immi.gov.bd/docs/visaform.pdf
The online Bangladesh visa application is divided into several sections.
- Section 1: your personal information, nationality, name, address where you will be staying in Bangladesh, passport number, gender and occupation. You must also attach your photograph with the following dimensions: 45 mm x 35 mm, maximum size is 300 KB, but it is optional.
- Section 2: Select the type of application. If you are applying for a new visa, select "new visa application". Click "Save and Next" and you will be redirected to a new tab where you will receive your password and application ID to log in;
- Section 3: Enter your passport details and indicate whether you have been to Bangladesh before.
- Section 4: Information on payment of visa fee
- Section 5: information about the purpose of your trip to Bangladesh and the duration of your visit
- Section 6: Select the Bangladesh diplomatic mission to which you wish to apply for a visa.
- Section 7: this section contains a document checklist in which you must mark and enter the documents you have in your possession
After completing the online application form, you can print the visa application form, collect the required documents and submit them.
If you cannot fill in the form at one time, you can save it and fill it in later. The server will keep your incomplete visa application form for 7 days. After 7 days it will be lost and you will have to start again.
The time it takes to process a visa for Bangladesh depends on the particular embassy. Usually, a regular tourist visa is issued for 1-2 weeks, but can take up to a month, depending on the circumstances.
If you are applying by mail, consider the time it takes for your documents to be delivered and then mailed back to you.
Therefore, you should start applying for a visa to Bangladesh 1-2 months before traveling.
Visa on Arrival: The Government of Bangladesh has resumed issuance of visa on arrival in Bangladesh based on the following criteria. Visa on Arrival is issued for a maximum of 30 days.
- Visa on Arrival for a foreign national to visit Bangladesh for government work, tourism, business and investment is now available in Bangladesh if the person originates from a group of countries
- Visa on Arrival is applicable for nationals of the country/persons traveling from a country where there is no Bangladesh Embassy/High Mission/Consulate.
- Foreign nationals of Bangladeshi origin and their spouse/children.
- Foreign nationals holding diplomatic or official passports; officials of UN organizations.
- Visa on Arrival is subject to approval/satisfaction by Immigration based on relevant and satisfactory documents provided to Immigration.
Requirements for a visa on arrival:
In case of Business Visa on Arrival: A letter of recommendation from the company where the businessman is employed and an invitation letter from the interested company in Bangladesh is required. In this case, the interested/inviting organization in Bangladesh must notify the immigration office in advance of the arrival of the foreign visitor(s).
For Bangladeshi nationals:Bangladeshi passport holders must show proof of their origin. In such a case, a previous Bangladeshi passport/visa passport/birth certificate may be required upon arrival. For children of Bangladeshi nationals, a foreign birth certificate with parent's passport / NVR may be required. Marriage certificate with spouses passport / NVR may be required for spouse of Bangladeshi citizen.
The visitor must have with him/her the necessary documents confirming his/her visit (in case of tourism: hotel reservation, return flight ticket, data of inviting persons, etc.).
Visa fee is 50 USD. The visa fee is payable in foreign currency in cash.
Visitors must carry a minimum of $500.00 or equivalent amount in foreign currency in cash or credit card.
The visitor must have his/her return ticket with him/her.
Who is eligible for the Bangladeshi visa-free stamp?
You are eligible to get a "no visa required to enter Bangladesh" stamp in your passport if you belong to any of the following categories:
- You're a former Bangladeshi citizen
- You are the wife of a Bangladeshi national/ex-citizen
- You are a child born abroad to a Bangladeshi citizen / former Bangladeshi citizen
You can apply for a "No Visa Required" stamp at a Bangladesh diplomatic mission. If you get it, the NVR stamp will allow you to enter Bangladesh multiple times for an unlimited period of time as long as your passport is still valid.
You will need the following documents when applying as a former citizen of Bangladesh:
- Bangladesh NVR application form http://www.bdembassyusa.org/uploads/NVR/Applying%20for%20NVR.pdf
- Passport-sized photo;
- Your current passport is valid for at least another six months
- A copy of your previous passport as a Bangladeshi citizen
- Copy of the certificate of dual citizenship (if available)
- Paid processing fee
- If you are mailing the documents, enclose a pre-paid, addressed envelope
If you are applying as the spouse of a Bangladeshi citizen/former Bangladeshi citizen, you will need the following documents:
- Bangladesh NVR application form http://www.bdembassyusa.org/uploads/NVR/Applying%20for%20NVR.pdf
- Passport size photo
- Your passport is valid for at least another six months
- A copy of the marriage certificate
- Copy of former or current passport of your spouse in Bangladesh (if applicable)
- Copy of your spouse's dual citizenship certificate (if available)
- Paid processing fee
- If you are mailing documents, enclose a pre-paid envelope with the address itself
When applying as a child of a Bangladeshi citizen/former Bangladeshi citizen born abroad, you will need the following documents
- Bangladesh NVR application form http://www.bdembassyusa.org/uploads/NVR/Applying%20for%20NVR.pdf
- Passport-sized photo;
- Your passport is valid for at least another six months
- A copy of the birth certificate with the parents' names on it
- A copy of your father's former or current passport in Bangladesh (if available)
- A copy of your parents' dual citizenship certificate (if available)
If your visa-free passport has expired, you can apply to transfer your NVR to a new passport.
A transit visa can be granted to passengers waiting for connecting flights for a period of no more than 72 hours or until the time of the next available flight at the request of the relevant carrier. To do this, an amount of 20.00 dollars USA or the equivalent in a foreign currency must be deposited to the appropriate bank account.
1. Pet microchip
To get to Bangladesh, your pet must first be a microchipped animal that meets ISO 11784/11785 standards, consisting of 15 digits and not encrypted. If your pet's microchip does not meet the ISO standard, you can bring a microchip scanner with you.
2. Vaccination
Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days and no more than a year before entry.
3. Rabies test
A rabies test isn’t required when entering Bangladesh from any country.
4. Veterinary Certificate
Two original veterinary certificates for Bangladesh must be completed by a licensed veterinarian. While this is not necessary, we recommend that a veterinarian licensed by the USDA or CFIA fill out the form and you certify it with the USDA or CFIA if you are traveling from the US or Canada. If you are traveling from another country, the forms must be certified by the governing body responsible for importing and exporting animals.
5. Permissions
If your pet arrives with you as checked baggage, you must receive a notification of any objections from the Department of animal husbandry and permission from the Office of the general controller of import and export.
If your pet arrives as an air cargo, then in addition to the NOC, you must obtain a preliminary permit from the Customs Service, and you will need a customs clearance agent for customs clearance of the animal.
6. Tick and tapeworm treatment
Treatment for internal and external parasites is optional, but it is recommended for dogs and cats entering Bangladesh.
7. Puppies and kittens
Unvaccinated pets (dogs and cats only) under 3 months of age can be imported into Bangladesh, but there are additional rules that must be followed.
8. Entering Bangladesh by air
Pets must enter or leave Bangladesh as checked baggage or air cargo at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. For this type of transportation, you will need an IATA-compliant animal cage.
When entering Bangladesh, pets may be subject to a 21-day home quarantine.
All domestic dogs and cats should be free of signs of human-transmitted disease when examined at the airport of entry. If your dog or cat is clearly unwell, you may need an additional checkup with a licensed veterinarian at your expense.
Airline rules for pets
- Pet carrier that meets airline requirements
- Airline cargo boxes
9. Prohibited breeds
Bangladesh does not publish a list of prohibited breeds.
10. Removal of pets living in Bangladesh
Pets can leave Bangladesh as checked baggage or air cargo. You must use the services of an agent in Bangladesh.
After receiving the relevant veterinary documents, you will need a certificate of no objections (NOC) from the Department of animal husbandry and a permit from the Office of the general controller of import and export.
11. Other animals
Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to the rabies vaccination requirement, but you may need to meet other requirements and have a health certificate to enter Bangladesh. Pet owners are advised to contact the relevant authorities of their country and/or destination country for more information.
12. CITES
If your pet isn’t a dog, cat, or ferret, and especially a turtle or parrot, you should make sure that it is not protected by the convention on international trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and flora (CITES). In this case, you will have to apply for additional permissions. More than 180 countries participate in and enforce the CITES convention.
For more information, follow the link: https://www.pettravel.com/immigration/Bangladesh.cfm
The Government of Bangladesh has officially launched the 999 emergency line.
Police, fire department and ambulance services will be available from any phone (mobile or landline) by dialing a number. The service will be monitored and managed by the Bangladesh police. The 999 number is completely free and you don't need to pay to use it.
Emergency assistance to foreigners 01700-700700 (works 24/7)
National hotline number 333
International Driver's license in Bangladesh
This is a legal document that translates your local driver's license into 12 languages UN-recognized. Driving in Bangladesh without an IDP can create problems on the roads. That is why you must first get an IDP, as this is one of the requirements when managing Bangladesh. We'll tell you more about IDP below to help you
Tourists, such as US citizens, need an IDP to drive legally in Bangladesh. When traveling to Bangladesh by car, you can use your local driver's license, but it will not be enough to present it as a legal document. You need to back it up with an international driver's license in Bangladesh. You must always have your IDP and local driver's license with you to avoid fines for driving without a license in Bangladesh.
Does IDP replace your local driver's license?
An international driver's license doesn’t replace a local driver's license. An IDP is just an additional document to your local driver's license. The authorities of Bangladesh will check it while driving in Bangladesh. Requirements for international driver's licenses in Bangladesh can be found on the website https://internationaldriversassociation.com
Keep in mind that when driving in Bangladesh, you need to have an IDP. Before getting behind the wheel in Bangladesh, you need to get an IDP. Don't forget to bring your local driver's license and IDP, because you will face a fine for driving without a license in Bangladesh.
Who can apply for an IDP?
Anyone who wants to drive in Bangladesh with a valid local driver's license can apply for an IDP. You must also be at least 18 years old. Applying for an IDP is very simple: just go to the website.
You can apply for an international driver's license in Bangladesh at any time. The fact that you can access it online makes it much easier and more convenient for you. After submitting the application, the team of the International Drivers' Association will process and review it. And after 2 hours, if your application is approved, you will receive a digital copy of the IDP. As for the physical copy, it will be sent to you immediately.
Just make sure you enter the correct details in the application form, especially if you are traveling to Bangladesh, the exact zip codes will also avoid delays on your trip. For more information on how to apply for an international driver's license in Bangladesh, please visit.
When renting a car, you will need a local driver's license, an international driver's license, and a passport. Make sure that these two mentioned documents are still valid and have not expired yet. Also, prepare an additional identity card, as some car rental companies require it. Take these necessary documents with you so that the car rental process is smooth.
Traffic rules
Driving under the influence of alcohol
In Bangladesh, driving after drinking alcohol is prohibited. Because alcohol is banned in the country.
Speed limit
- Highway / Motorway-80 km / h
- Rural area - 30 km / h
- Urban areas - 25 km / h
Legal driving age
The minimum driving age in Bangladesh is 18 years, and the maximum age is 65 years to drive vehicles in Bangladesh.
Free import
- 200 cigarettes or
- 50 cigars or
- 225 g of tobacco;
- Two bottles of alcoholic beverages or 1 bottle if you are not traveling for tourist purposes – only non-Muslim travelers are allowed;
- 250ml perfume;
- Gifts worth up to 500 BDT
- Residents can import up to 150 BDT in local currency and an unlimited amount of foreign money. Non-residents can import a similar amount in local currency up to 1,000 dollars USA although amounts exceeding 150 dollars USA must be declared at customs. All travelers can take out up to 100 BDT in local currency, while residents can take out an amount equivalent to 25 USD in foreign currency. Non-residents can export up to 150 in foreign currency.
- All visitors departing from Bangladesh must pay an additional export tax of 300 BDT before leaving the country.
Prohibited products
- Illegal drugs
- Weapons, explosives and ammunition
- Knives and deadly weapons
- edible cereals, including rice and flour products;
- milk and dairy products;
- maps and charts
- beef, lamb and animal fats;
- green coconuts, coconuts and copra;
- rare items of archaeological interest;
- legumes;
- eggs and poultry meat;
- shrimp and prawns other than frozen and processed;
- feature films that are not certified by the Bangladesh Film Censorship Board as suitable for export;
- counterfeit money and goods
- pornographic materials
Forbidden
- All weapons can only be imported with the permission of the Ministry of Defense.
- Imports of pharmaceutical raw materials and packaging materials are subject to approval by the director of the Medicines Authority of the Government of Bangladesh. Special documents are required to import food, animal feed, and poultry.
Bengladesh