Bangladesh Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
-
Bangladesh visa on arrival (online advance application available)
- Who
- Nationals eligible for visa on arrival
- When
- Issued at the port of entry. An online advance application is available
- Cost
- USD 50 visa fee, cash only, excluding processing fees
Valid for a stay of up to 30 days for tourism, business or investment. The fee is paid in cash at the Sonali Bank counter.
Checked against the official source 2026-09-26
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Bangladesh maintains different visa arrangements by nationality. Some travelers enter without a visa. Others obtain one on arrival or apply online in advance. Some must secure a visa from a Bangladesh diplomatic mission before departure. The categories below outline the general framework. Eligibility and permitted stay depend on your specific passport. Confirm your situation through official channels. This is the only reliable approach.
Certain nationalities enter Bangladesh without obtaining a visa beforehand. Whether you qualify, and for how long you may stay, depends on bilateral agreements between Bangladesh and your country of citizenship.
Even visa-free travelers need a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity, a return or onward ticket, and proof of accommodation. Eligibility and length of stay change. Verify your status through the official immigration portal before travel.
Bangladesh runs a visa on arrival program, and eligible travelers can submit an online advance application through the Special Branch Visa on Arrival portal before departure. This online step is not a separate eVisa. It is a pre-application that streamlines the process when you land. The visa itself is issued at the port of entry.
Cost: USD 50 visa fee, paid in cash only at the Sonali Bank counter inside the airport. This excludes any additional processing fees that may apply.
Cash payment is required at the airport counter. Card payments are not accepted for the visa on arrival fee. Bring the exact amount or close to it in US dollars to avoid delays. The online advance application can reduce wait times at the airport but does not guarantee approval. Final entry decisions rest with immigration officers at the port of entry.
Travelers who do not qualify for visa-free entry or the visa on arrival program must apply for a visa at a Bangladesh embassy or consulate before departure. This is the traditional application route. It involves submitting documents, photographs, and the applicable fee to the diplomatic mission serving your region.
If you are unsure whether you need a pre-departure visa or qualify for visa on arrival, contact the Bangladesh embassy in your country directly. This is the safest approach. Arriving at the airport without the correct visa arrangement can result in denied boarding or entry refusal.
Arrival Process
Arriving in Bangladesh typically means landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, though Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet also handle international flights. The process is largely the same across all ports of entry. It moves reasonably well if your paperwork is in order.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Bangladesh customs enforcement is generally straightforward for tourists carrying ordinary personal effects. The main areas where travelers run into trouble are currency declaration, alcohol limits, and electronics. Arriving with a clear sense of what is and is not permitted saves you time and potential complications at the red channel.
Prohibited Items
- Narcotics and psychotropic substances in any quantity
- Firearms, ammunition, and explosives without prior government authorization
- Pornographic material in any format
- Counterfeit currency and goods
- Items offensive to religious sentiment in Bangladesh
- Certain agricultural products and live animals without proper permits
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications beyond personal supply quantities, which may require a doctor's letter and original packaging
- Gold bullion and jewelry above personal-use quantities, which must be declared
- Satellite phones and certain communication equipment, which may require advance authorization
- Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles, which generally require permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh
Health Requirements
Bangladesh's health rules shift based on your origin. No universal vaccine mandate exists. Certain regions trigger strict requirements. Arrivals from those areas need proof of immunization. Beyond paperwork, prepare for tropical conditions. Pack smart.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow fever certificate is mandatory if you arrive from, or transit through, countries with transmission risk. Skip it and face quarantine. Or denial. The choice is simple. Get vaccinated.
Recommended Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A, given the risk from food and water
- Typhoid, if you plan to eat outside major hotels and restaurants
- Hepatitis B matters for extended stays. Consider it if medical treatment looms.
- Japanese encephalitis, for travelers spending extended time in rural areas
- Rabies vaccine helps with animal contact. Remote areas lack medical access. Plan ahead.
- Keep routine shots current. Measles, mumps, rubella. Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis. Polio too.
Health Insurance
Bangladesh skips formal insurance requirements at entry. Carry coverage anyway. Dhaka's hospitals have improved. Quality drops outside the capital. Emergency evacuation insurance pays off. Serious cases may need transfer abroad. Verify your policy includes Bangladesh. Check the evacuation clause.
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Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Every child needs a valid passport. Solo parent travel requires preparation. Carry a notarized consent letter from the absent parent. Bring the birth certificate copy. Bangladesh may not ask. Airlines and transit countries will. Avoid hassles. Non-parent guardians need authorization from both parents. Relationship documentation helps too.
Pet import demands an official permit from the Department of Livestock Services. Your vet must issue a health certificate shortly before departure. Rabies vaccination proof is required. Coordination between authorities takes time. Start early. Confirm pet policies with your airline. Not all carriers participate. Quarantine officials inspect on arrival. Isolation may follow.
Extensions require application through Dhaka's Department of Immigration and Passports. Apply before expiry. Overstay fines hurt. Future visas suffer. Long-term options exist. Student visas. Work permits tied to local employers. Investor visas. Each path has distinct paperwork. Embassies handle pre-arrival applications. The immigration department manages in-country requests.
Journalists need proper accreditation. Tourist visas do not cover media work. Authorities notice. Contact the Bangladesh embassy first. Reach the Press Information Department too. Confirm permissions before you travel.
Bangladesh accepts dual nationality for citizens of Bangladeshi origin with select foreign passports. Two passports create complexity. Verify which to use for entry. Rules vary by situation. Your local Bangladesh embassy clarifies the correct approach.
Know What to Pack
Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear, with shopping links for every item.
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