Bangladesh visa
Traveling to Bangladesh
Bangladesh is an important economic and tourist center. It has the second-largest economy in South Asia and is developing quickly. Due to its promise as a business center and its rapid growth, it attracts many visitors each year, from tourists to students, diplomats, and businesspersons.
Foreign nationals from more than 20 countries can travel visa-free to Bangladesh. All other nationalities are required to obtain a visa to enter Bangladesh. Many nationalities will apply for their visa to Bangladesh at an embassy or consulate before arriving in the country. However, there are others that are eligible to get their visa on arrival.
Depending on the type of visa and the purpose of the applicant’s trip to Bangladesh, the validity of the visa can extend from several months up to one year, or more in some cases. Many types are available as single, multiple, or double-entry visas.
Bangladesh visa types
Bangladesh offers several visa types for travelers to choose from depending on the purpose of their visit.
- Tourist visa
- This visa is for foreigners who plan to engage in short-term touristic activities, attend cultural/sporting events, or go to a conference. It is a single-entry visa valid for three months and can be extended for up to one month.
- Student visa
- Students planning to engage in an academic course in Bangladesh can apply for this multiple-entry visa that is valid for up to one year. The visa can be extended depending on the length of the study course. Extensions must be done through the Department of Immigration and Passports in Bangladesh (DIP).
- Business visa
- For businesspersons, this visa can be issued with a total validity period of up to one year with single, double, or multiple entries. The maximum length of each stay is 60 days. It can be extended for up to three years with a maximum six months duration of stay in each visit.
- Investor visa
- Investors in commercial or business endeavors can obtain this visa with single, double, or multiple entries. It can be extended for up to five years. The duration of stay will depend on the project.
- Work Permit/Employment visa
- Employees of a Bangladeshi or Bangladesh-based company can obtain this visa with single, double, or multiple entries. It is valid for up to three months with a maximum duration of stay of 90 days. It is possible to extend the visa for up to three years.
- NGO visa
- Anyone appointed to an NGO in Bangladesh can obtain this visa. It can be issued for up to three months with single, double, or multiple entries. The maximum duration of stay is 90 days. It can be extended for up to three years
- Research visa
- Anyone engaged in research in Bangladesh can obtain this visa. It can be issued for up to three months with single, double, or multiple entries. The maximum duration of stay is 90 days. It can be extended for up to three years.
- Government Delegates visa
- This visa for government delegates may be issued with single, double, or multiple entries. The validity will depend on the purpose of their stay.
- Diplomatic/Other Embassy Officials visa
- Diplomats or other embassy personnel and their dependents can apply for this visa with single, double, or multiple entries. The validity will depend on the purpose of their stay. It can be extended at the DIP offices.
- UN and Other International Organizations visa
- Individuals with the UN or another international organization and their dependents can obtain a five-year visa with multiple entries. The maximum duration of stay will depend on the project or initiative. It can be extended for an additional five years.
- Intern visa
- This visa is issued for three months and the maximum duration of stay is 90 days. It is available as a single, double, or multiple-entry visa and is non-extendable and non-convertible.
- Journalist visa
- This is a short-term visa with a one-month validity period that can be issued with single, double, or multiple entries. The maximum duration of stay will depend on the purpose of the visit.
- Tablig-Jamaat visa
- This is a type of Journalist visa that can be issued for up to 130 days with a single entry. The duration of stay will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Extensions of up to 150 days may be possible.
For some nationalities, it’s possible to obtain a visa on arrival for governmental work, tourism, business, or investment purposes. The visa on arrival is valid for a maximum of 30 days. The following countries can obtain a visa on arrival at the border in Bangladesh:
- United Kingdom, all European Union countries, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, UAE, KSA, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, Turkey, and Brunei.
Foreign nationals from a country that does not have a Bangladesh embassy or consulate; foreign nationals with Bangladeshi origin, and anyone holding a diplomatic or official passport or involved with the UN or an international organization can also obtain a visa on arrival.
For visitors of Bangladeshi origin (except those from SAARC countries), and their dependents (children and spouses) it is possible to apply for a No Visa Required (NVR) sticker that is placed inside the passport. The NVR allows the holder to enter the country multiple times with unlimited duration of stay while their passport remains valid.
Bangladesh visa requirements
To apply for a visa to Bangladesh, it is necessary to prepare the basic requirements. These required items include:
A valid passport
The passport should be valid for at least 6 months before the travel date and contain at least one blank page for official use.
Personal photo (2)
The applicant is required to submit two recent passport-sized photos, taken within the last 6 months, against a white background.
Passport copy
Applicants should copy the photo page of their passport to include with the application materials.
A complete visa application form
The application form must be completed accurately and signed.
Proof of visa fee payment
Applicants must be able to prove they have paid the mandatory visa application fee.
Additional requirements may be required depending on the visa type and the purpose of the trip. Additional documents might include a letter of invitation from a Bangladeshi citizen, company, or academic institution. In addition, you may need to provide a return flight ticket or proof of subsistence.
Bangladesh visa application steps
Applicants can take the following steps to apply for their Bangladesh visa:
- Complete the online application form
Visa application forms can be completed and submitted online. They must be printed and signed before being received by the Bangladesh embassy or consulate.
- Schedule a visa appointment (if applicable)
Applicants must schedule a visa appointment with the local Bangladeshi embassy or consulate to submit their application materials.
- Submit documents and pay the visa fee
At their appointment, applicants will submit all required materials and pay the visa processing fee. The method of payment will depend on where the applicant submits their application.
- Collect the passport with the new visa
Once approved, applicants can collect their passport with their new Bangladeshi visa inside from the same embassy or consulate where they submitted the application materials.
All eligible nationalities can complete the visa application form online unless otherwise specified. They can print the completed form to be submitted along with their other application materials to their nearest embassy or consulate during their visa appointment.
Where to apply for Bangladesh visa
Most applicants can apply for a Bangladeshi visa at the nearest embassy or consulate. Some other nationals can obtain a visa on arrival at the border in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh visa processing time
The processing times for Bangladeshi visas will vary depending on the visa type and where the applicant submits their application and required documents. It may also depend on the complexity of the case and the purpose of the visit.
Bangladesh visa FAQ
A Bangladesh visa is a document that is physically stuck inside a traveler's passport that allows them to legally stay in Bangladesh for a certain period of time. There are several types of visas to select from depending on the purpose of travel and the intended duration of stay in the country.
The visa processing fee for a Bangladesh visa will vary depending on the nationality of the applicant and the number of entries they would like their visa to allow. Single, double, and multiple entry visas will all have different rates for processing.
Applicants can apply for their Bangladesh visa at their nearest embassy or consulate. For nationals from countries that do not have an official Bangladeshi presence, they can obtain a visa on arrival.
The validity of the Bangladesh visa will depend on the visa type and the purpose of the visit. For many visa types, the validity will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
