Bangladesh Visa Requirements – Who can and How to apply
Bangladesh visa requirements for foreign nationals vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for. Most visitors require a visa to enter Bangladesh, although a few types of visas are available without a visa requirement. To obtain a Bangladeshi visa, you will need to submit an application form and pay the required fee.
Some visas are available, including tourist, business, student, and transit visas. The length of each type of visa is also different.
In this article, you will learn about the Bangladesh visa requirements and how to apply.
About Bangladesh
Before we dive into dissecting the Bangladesh visa issues, let me quickly enter a short take on Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is a country in Southeast Asia. The country has a total area of 147,948 sq km, making it the world’s eighth-largest country by area. It shares maritime borders with India to the south and east and Myanmar to the north.
The country’s mainland is separated from the Chittagong Hill Tracts by the Padma River, and it also shares a border with Nepal in the northeast.
The capital and largest city are Dhaka. Bangladesh’s population exceeds 150 million people and is home to over 160 languages spoken by over 120 million people.
The economy of Bangladesh is primarily based on agriculture, with significant contributions from textiles, pharmaceuticals, IT, and other services. Since 1991, Bangladesh has been ruled by an elected parliament.
Bangladesh has the potential for tourism and business. The country is located on the Bay of Bengal and has a maritime tradition. It also has many natural resources, including oil and gas. Agriculture is another important sector, as Bangladesh is one of the world’s most flood-prone countries.
Despite its challenges, there are signs that Bangladeshi businesses are beginning to emerge as global players. In 2016, Bangladesh was ranked 73rd out of 190 countries in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings.
There are also indications that the country is making significant strides in infrastructure development, including improvements in telecommunications and transportation networks.
Bangladesh Visa Requirement and Policy
Bangladesh visa policy is fairly relaxed for citizens of most countries. However, citizens of a few select countries must apply for visas through the embassy or consulate in Dhaka. For example, Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka citizens must apply through their embassy or consulate.
To qualify for a Bangladeshi visa, applicants must have a valid passport and visa application from their home country. The application form can be acquired from the embassy or consulate, where you will also need your passport photo and photocopy of your birth certificate. If you are applying from outside Bangladesh, you will also need to provide proof of travel arrangements and funds to cover your stay in Bangladesh.
Types of Bangladesh Visa
There are many types of visas that foreigners can apply for in Bangladesh. The most common type of visa is a tourist visa, which allows citizens of certain countries to stay there for a specific time.
Work and student visas are also available, as well as other types of visas. The cost of a Bangladeshi visa depends on the category in which it falls.
Bangladesh Tourist Visa
Nationals of 38 countries do not require a visa to visit Bangladesh for tourism or business purposes. This holds if they hold an official passport or travel document valid for at least six months after their planned departure from Bangladesh. Some countries exempted from visas are the Bahamas, Barbados, Bhutan, Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Haiti, Jamaica, etc.
The cost of a tourist visa depends on your nationality and how long you plan to stay in the country.
Bangladesh Work Visa
Bangladesh is a low-income country, with a per capita GDP of only $1,400. To work in Bangladesh, you will need a work visa.
The cost of obtaining a work visa depends on your nationality. For most people from Western countries, the cost is around $60-$80. However, for people from countries in South and Southeast Asia, the cost can be more than double that amount.
If you are applying for a work visa yourself, you will need to provide evidence that you have enough money to support yourself while living in Bangladesh. This includes documentation such as bank statements or employment contracts.
Bangladesh Student Visa
Tourists visiting Bangladesh can apply for a student visa if they are 18 or older, have a valid passport, and do not carry any weapons or drugs into the country. The visa cost is US$60 and must be applied at the nearest Bangladeshi embassy or consulate. Student visas are typically granted for up to six months but can be extended if necessary.
The requirement for a student visa in Bangladesh depends on the study you are undertaking. You will need a student visa if you are studying for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at a Bangladeshi institution of higher education. However, if you are taking vocational or non-degree courses at an educational institution in Bangladesh, you do not require a student visa. You will only need a visitor’s visa if you are visiting Bangladesh solely for tourism purposes.
How to Apply for Bangladesh Visa
Before applying, please check our supported countries, where you may find out if the nation you are applying to accepts online applications.
You will need an email address to complete the online visa application form. This is to ensure that nobody but you can access the form and that we will receive notice of your application. We will also ask you to print your application so we can include it in the email we send to confirm your online visa application.
We also recommend that you have the following information on hand:
- A valid passport
- Bangladesh address
- Email address
- Recent passport photograph
The web application requires the user to:
- Please fill out the online visa application form and send it in.
- Print the duly completed application form
- Take the visa application form, which you have enclosed with the specified documents, along with your passport, visa, and applicable travel fees documents, to the nearest Bangladeshi visa office.
Also Read: Bangladesh Student Visa – Application, Funding and Duration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bangladesh visa requirement?
When applying for a Bangladesh visa through a tourist agency, you must bring your real signed passport, as well as one copy of the personal information page of your passport. Your passport must be valid for at least six months.
How much does a Bangladesh visa cost?
For that trip to Bangladesh, one must have a visa. The visa is valid for one month. Here are the details of the visa fees: Single-entry visa: INR 1,500; Double-entry visa: INR 2,000; Multiple-entry visa: INR 2,500.
Where can I get a visa for Bangladesh?
Bangladeshi citizens are encouraged to acquire a visa in advance upon arrival at the Bangladeshi Embassy or nearest consulate.
How long does it take for a Bangladesh visa to be approved?
Applicants must submit their visa applications before departure unless the visa processing time is fewer than five working days. Prior appointment is advised if applying in person. The visa is valid for the duration of travel and is not from the time of issue.
Can I get a Bangladesh visa at the airport?
Visitors from nations with Bangladesh Embassy Mission in question and from countries that issue Landing Permit (LP) or Visa on Arrival (VOA) to travelers from Bangladesh will qualify for Visa on Arrival (VOA) at the Hazrat Shahjalal International airport, Dhaka.
Can I travel to Bangladesh without a visa?
Bangladesh requires that all foreigners obtain prior permission to pass its borders. Visas are issued at Bangladesh diplomatic missions located worldwide or, if necessary, upon arrival in Bangladesh.
How many types of visas are there in Bangladesh?
Your embassy will offer various visa options, such as tourist, business, student, employment, diplomatic official, investor, journalist, and NGO. Each visa type has different requirements for obtaining the visa and what kind of documentation you need.
Is Bangladesh issuing tourist visas?
When you are visiting Bangladesh for tourism, to tour the country, you will need a permit which is termed a tourist visa. A visitor visa is acquired when visiting a friend or family member. The validity for both the visa documents is generally the same.
What is the visa cost for Bangladesh from India?
There is no visa fee for Bangladesh from India.
How many countries are visa-free for Bangladesh?
As of 2 July 2019, Bangladeshi citizens holding regular or ordinary passports are permitted visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to 41 countries and territories, placing the Bangladeshi passport 101st in travel freedom.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the visa requirements for Bangladesh are simple. The citizens of most countries need a valid passport to enter the country. However, Bangladeshi citizens do not require a visa to visit other countries in the region, including India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. All visitors must have a valid onward travel ticket and have sufficient funds to cover their stay.
