Bangladesh operates visa requirements for nearly all foreign nationals except citizens of Bhutan and India arriving by land borders with valid documents. The Department of Immigration and Passports under the Ministry of Home Affairs manages entry policy. Citizens of most countries must obtain a visa before travel either through Bangladeshi diplomatic missions abroad or via the online visa-on-arrival platform for eligible nationalities arriving at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka or Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong. The government website for official visa information is www.visa.gov.bd, which lists current requirements, eligible countries, and application procedures without intermediary interpretation.
Visa-on-arrival applies to citizens of approximately 60 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and most European Union member states. This service requires advance online registration through the Bangladesh e-Visa system at least 48 hours before departure. The registration generates a confirmation document that must be presented at the immigration counter upon landing. The visa-on-arrival duration is typically 30 days for tourism purposes with a processing fee paid at the airport. The system does not apply to citizens of SAARC countries other than India and Bhutan, who follow separate protocols, nor to nationals of countries with which Bangladesh has specific diplomatic restrictions.
Citizens of India holding valid passports can enter Bangladesh without a visa for stays up to 90 days if arriving by air, land, or sea at designated ports. Land crossings between India and Bangladesh include Benapole-Petrapole, Akhaura-Agartala, Tamabil-Dawki, Burimari-Changrabandha, and approximately 20 other official border checkpoints. Indian nationals must still complete arrival cards and register with local authorities if staying beyond 30 days. Bhutanese citizens receive similar treatment under bilateral agreements. Citizens of Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Afghanistan require visas but benefit from streamlined SAARC country processing with reduced fees and faster approval timelines through Bangladeshi missions.
Tourist visas issued by Bangladeshi embassies and high commissions abroad typically grant single-entry for 30 days or multiple-entry for 90 days depending on the application type and stated purpose. Business visas allow single-entry for 90 days or multiple-entry for one year with endorsement from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority or a recognized Bangladeshi business entity. Student visas require admission confirmation from a recognized educational institution and approval from the Ministry of Education. Work permits and employment visas demand prior clearance from the Board of Investment and a No Objection Certificate from the relevant government ministry. Processing times at overseas missions range from 3 to 10 working days depending on visa category and mission workload.
Entry points for international travelers include Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, which handles the majority of air arrivals, Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong, and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet. Land borders with India accommodate foreign nationals at Benapole in Jessore, Akhaura in Brahmanbaria, Tamabil in Sylhet, and Teknaf in Cox's Bazar among others. Sea entry occurs primarily through Chittagong Port and Mongla Port in Khulna Division, though recreational maritime entry remains uncommon. All entry points require travelers to present a passport valid for at least six months beyond intended stay, confirmed return or onward tickets, and proof of sufficient funds which immigration officers may request but do not universally enforce.
Travelers arriving without proper visa documentation face immediate deportation on the next available flight at their own expense. Immigration authorities at Dhaka airport maintain a holding area for passengers denied entry pending return arrangements. Overstaying a visa incurs penalties of 200 Bangladeshi Taka per day up to a maximum fine of 20,000 Taka before potential detention and legal proceedings. Visa extensions must be requested at the Department of Immigration and Passports headquarters in Dhaka or regional offices in Chittagong, Sylhet, Khulna, and Rajshahi at least one week before expiration. Extension approval depends on stated justification such as medical treatment, family emergency, or ongoing business matters with supporting documentation. Tourist visa extensions rarely exceed 15 additional days per request.
Prohibited items at entry include narcotics, weapons without prior authorization, pornographic materials, and publications deemed offensive to Islam or Bangladesh sovereignty. Currency declaration is mandatory for amounts exceeding 5,000 US dollars or equivalent in other currencies. Travelers may import 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars duty-free along with one liter of alcohol, though alcohol importation requires declaration and is culturally sensitive in this Muslim-majority nation. Customs inspections occur at all entry points with green and red channels for declaration purposes. Agricultural products, plants, and animal materials require phytosanitary certificates from the country of origin.
Journalist visas require separate approval from the Ministry of Information and must be obtained before arrival through Bangladeshi diplomatic missions abroad. The application includes a letter from the employing media organization, detailed itinerary, and justification for coverage subject matter. Processing takes a minimum of two weeks and involves security clearance. Media personnel entering on tourist visas who engage in journalistic activities without proper accreditation risk detention, equipment confiscation, and deportation. The Press Information Department in Dhaka's Secretariat area issues press cards to accredited journalists which must be carried during field assignments.
Transit visas for travelers continuing to third countries within 72 hours are available at airports for citizens of most countries. The traveler must hold confirmed onward tickets and valid visas for the destination country if required. Transit passengers who remain airside in international departure lounges do not require Bangladesh visas. Those wishing to exit the airport and enter Dhaka during layovers must obtain standard tourist visas or visa-on-arrival if eligible. Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong offers fewer transit facilities than Dhaka but follows identical immigration procedures.
Diplomatic and official passport holders require prior clearance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs even if their countries maintain visa-free agreements for ordinary passport holders. The diplomatic note must be submitted through the host country's Bangladeshi embassy at least two weeks before travel. United Nations personnel and staff of international organizations recognized by Bangladesh may qualify for special entry permits coordinated through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Protocol Division. Emergency travel documents issued by consulates in place of lost passports receive scrutiny at entry and may require additional verification time at immigration counters.
Travelers with Israeli stamps in their passports do not face automatic entry denial unlike some other Muslim-majority countries, but immigration officials may subject such passports to additional questioning. Bangladesh does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel and travelers indicating recent Israel visits may encounter enhanced scrutiny regarding travel purpose. Passport pages showing visits to countries under international sanctions may similarly trigger secondary inspection without formal prohibition.
Minors under 18 traveling without both parents must carry notarized parental consent letters in English along with birth certificates establishing relationship. Single parents traveling with children should carry divorce decrees, sole custody orders, or death certificates of the other parent if applicable to avoid questioning about potential child abduction. Schools and educational institutions organizing group travel for students require additional documentation including institutional letters, guardian contact information, and detailed itineraries submitted to immigration authorities in advance.
Permanent residency in Bangladesh requires approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs and typically applies to foreign nationals married to Bangladeshi citizens for at least five years, investors under the Board of Investment programs meeting minimum capital thresholds of 75,000 US dollars, or individuals of Bangladeshi origin who surrendered citizenship. The application process involves security clearance, background checks, and demonstration of continuous residence. Permanent residents receive identification cards allowing indefinite stay but not citizenship rights such as voting or holding certain government positions.
Health entry requirements do not mandate specific vaccinations for most travelers, but yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for arrivals from countries with yellow fever transmission risk as defined by the World Health Organization. This includes travelers transiting for more than 12 hours through airports in affected countries. Immigration officials may deny entry to travelers from yellow fever endemic regions without valid vaccination certificates issued at least 10 days before arrival. COVID-19 entry protocols shifted multiple times between 2020 and 2023 and travelers should verify current requirements directly through official government channels as these change based on epidemiological conditions.