Bangladesh Visa on Arrival - Application and Eligibility

Are you planning to have a short stay in Bangladesh and considering applying for a visa in advance or getting it on arrival? Bangladesh Visa on Arrival is the best option for foreigners visiting Bangladesh for business or tourism purposes. The visa application process saves a lot of time and requires little effort.

The People’s Republic of Bangladesh is a great country to visit, and it offers an on-arrival visa option to citizens of many countries. There are numerous advantages to applying for a Bangladesh Visa on Arrival, but not every foreign national is eligible to apply for it.

This blog post covers a wide range of information about Bangladeshi Visa on Arrival, including its eligibility criteria, requirements, application procedures, duration, and more.

Reasons to Apply for Bangladesh Visa on Arrival

The following are some reasons to apply for a Bangladeshi Visa on Arrival.

Bangladeshi on Arrival Visa allows foreigners to travel to the country for business-related purposes, such as attending meetings, conferences, and other official events.
The application process for Bangladeshi Visa on Arrival is no breeze and saves a lot of time.
The visa also allows its holder to carry out any official duty on behalf of their company or the government.
Obtaining an on-arrival for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is inexpensive.
Lastly, you can get Bangladeshi Visa on Arrival to explore the country by yourself or with your loved ones. The reason is that the visa authorizes its holders to visit their choice of tourist attractions.

These include Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil Museum, Bangladesh National Parliament, National Martyrs’ Monument, Dhakeshwari Temple, Bangladesh National Museum, Patenga Sea Beach, Inani Beach, and Ratargul Swamp Forest.

What is Bangladesh Visa on Arrival?

A Bangladeshi Visa on Arrival (VOA) is a type of visa that offers an opportunity for citizens of certain countries to apply for their visa upon arrival to the country. This visa is open to foreigners who intend to enter Bangladesh via air, road, or sea transport.

You can apply for a Bangladesh visa at the country’s port of entry for almost any purpose except for long stays. However, to qualify for Bangladeshi Visa on Arrival, you must meet a few requirements.

Remember that being eligible for a Bangladeshi Visa on Arrival is not an assurance of getting the visa at the port of entry. Supposing the immigration officers discover your ineligibility for a Visa on Arrival, you will have to return to your home country without any sentiments.

Bangladesh Visa on Arrival Cost

The cost of obtaining an on-arrival visa in any Bangladesh port of entry is US $50 (including tax). Take note that the immigration officers do not accept payments made in a different currency.

Bangladesh Visa on Arrival Requirements

To be eligible for Bangladesh on Arrival Visa, you must satisfy one of the following criteria.

#1. Must be a resident of a country that does not have a Bangladeshi embassy or consulate

#2. Must be a businessperson or investor with an invitation letter from a Bangladesh-based company or organization.

It is equally essential that the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) or the Bangladeshi Board of Investment attest to your letter of invitation.

#3. Your purpose of visit must be for an event or meeting held by the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Besides, you have to get authorization from FBCCI, BEPZA, BGMEA, BOI, or any relevant authority.

#4. Must be a diplomatic mission or United Nations official with an appointment letter.

#5. Must be from any of the following countries to invest, carry out a business or an official duty, or for tourism purposes.

Any of the European Union member states
Canada
The United States of America
Malaysia
Iceland
Saudi Arabia
Russia
Japan
The United Arab Emirates
Oman
China
Norway
Kuwait
Switzerland
Bahrain
South Korea
New Zealand
Australia
Qatar
Singapore
Liechtenstein

Documents Required for Bangladesh Visa on Arrival Applications

Before leaving your country to obtain a Bangladeshi Visa on Arrival, here is a list of the documents to have at hand.

A valid passport
Proof of funds, such as your recent bank statement
Evidence of your purpose to Bangladesh

How to Get Bangladesh Visa on Arrival

To obtain a Visa on Arrival in Bangladesh, you must take the following steps one after the other.

Put together all the required documents
Fill out the application form for a Bangladesh visa online
Travel to Bangladesh
Tender the necessary documents at the port of entry

Step 1: Put together all the required documents

As the first step in getting a Bangladeshi Visa on Arrival, you must first gather all documents needed for your application. However, this should not be an issue for the application process.

Step 2: Fill out the application form for a Bangladesh visa online

Next, you must download and complete the Bangladesh Machine Readable Visa (MRV) application form via a computer. It is equally important to ensure correctness when filling in the “New Visa” and “Transit/On Arrival Visa” sections on the application form’s Page Two.

You must also specify your intended Port of Entry (POE) to Bangladesh.

Step 3: Travel to Bangladesh

At this time, you can now pack your bags, including your application supporting documents, and set off for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

Step 4: Tender the required documents at the port of entry

Upon arrival at any of Bangladesh’s ports of entry, you must show all your supporting documents to the immigration officers. They will then decide on your eligibility and grant or refuse the visa.

Validity Period of Bangladesh Visa on Arrival

When you obtain a Bangladeshi visa at the port of entry, you can stay in the country for not more than 30 days. This means that you cannot apply for Bangladeshi Visa on Arrival for employment or study purposes, as they take longer.

Bangladesh Visa-Free Countries

To qualify for a visa-free entry into Bangladesh, you must be a national of one of the countries listed below.

The Gambia
Zambia
Barbados
Samoa
Guinea
Burkina Faso
Malawi
Fiji
Tanzania
Guinea-Bissau
Sierra Leone
Jamaica
Gabon
Bhutan
The Maldives
Papua New Guinea
Ghana
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Lesotho
Botswana
Tonga
Seychelles
Grenada

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it easy to get Bangladesh Visa on Arrival?

Yes, the Bangladesh visa application process is quite easy for foreign nationals who can satisfy its eligibility criteria and provide the required documents.

What are Bangladesh visa photo requirements?

The photos required for Bangladesh visa applications must meet specific criteria, including having a JPEG format file size not more than 300KB. Moreover, the photo’s dimension must be 45 mm x 35 mm.

Can you get a Bangladesh Visa on Arrival from the US?

Yes, Bangladesh visa policy allows United States citizens to obtain a visa on arrival. This implies that Americans can apply for Bangladesh Visa on Arrival at any of the country’s ports of entry without visiting the Bangladeshi embassy in Washington, DC, United States of America.

Which countries get an arrival visa in Bangladesh?

Citizens of countries that are eligible for Bangladeshi Visa on Arrival include those from any of EU member states, Singapore, Kuwait, Russia, USA, Iceland, Saudi Arabia, Japan, UAE, Norway, China, New Zealand, Malaysia, Bahrain, Qatar, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, South Korea, and Oman.

How much is Bangladesh Visa on Arrival fee?

Foreigners who desire to get a Bangladeshi Visa on Arrival must pay a non-refundable fee of $50 while at the port of entry. You are required to pay in cash in United States Dollars.

Is Bangladesh Visa on Arrival suspended?

Yes. As of August 2023, the Visa on Arrival for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was still on suspension due to COVID-19.

What are the documents required for Bangladesh Visa on Arrival?

The documents needed in applying for a Bangladeshi Visa on Arrival include:

A valid passport.
A recent bank statement.
Genuine proof of your purpose to visit Bangladesh.

How long can I stay on a Bangladesh Visa on Arrival?

An on-arrival visa for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is valid for 30 days, which is proportional to one month from the date you arrived in the country.

Is Bangladesh Visa on Arrival for Indian?

No, the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh does not grant visas on Arrival to Indian citizens. Therefore, you must apply for a visa through the Bangladeshi embassy or consulate in your country of origin.

Do I need to visit a Bangladeshi diplomatic mission to get a Visa on Arrival?

No, you do not need to visit a Bangladeshi embassy or consulate to get a Visa on Arrival.

Conclusion

The Bangladesh Visa on the Arrival application process is relatively simple and quick. However, a few things to consider before getting an on-arrival visa at Bangladesh’s port of entry.

Most importantly, it would be best to remember that the visa is only valid for 30 days, which requires you to plan your trip accordingly.

Thanks for reading!