Every way into Bangladesh.

The Tourist (T) visa is for foreign nationals visiting Bangladesh for leisure, sightseeing or visiting friends. Applicants apply online through the official portal at visa.gov.bd, then submit the printed form with supporting documents to a Bangladesh mission or visa centre. The visa may be issued for single, double or multiple entries with a typical stay of around 30 days per visit. Bangladesh visa fees are set on the basis of reciprocity with the applicant's country, so the actual amount varies by nationality (the representative figure shown is indicative and several nationalities pay no fee). The visa does not authorise employment, study or residence.

Government fee

$51

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

30 days

Validity

90 days

Bangladesh grants Visa on Arrival at designated international airports to nationals of a defined list of countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Russia, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, the Gulf states and all European countries, travelling for tourism, business/trade, investment or official purposes. It is a single-entry visa for a maximum of 30 days, extendable for a further 30 days at the Department of Immigration and Passports in Dhaka. The fee is USD 51 (or EUR 51) payable in cash on arrival, and travellers must carry at least USD 500 in cash or on a credit card together with a return/onward ticket and proof of accommodation or a business invitation. Visa on Arrival cannot be obtained when arriving by train.

Government fee

$51

Processing time

1 day

Max stay

30 days

Validity

30 days

The Transit visa is for travellers passing through Bangladesh en route to a third country. It permits a stay of up to 72 hours and is issued for a single entry. A service charge of about USD 20 per passenger applies, and applicants must hold a confirmed onward ticket and a valid visa for the third (destination) country. At international airports, immigration may grant transit facilitation up to the next available connecting flight or a maximum of 72 hours at an airline's request. The visa is non-extendable and is strictly for transit, not sightseeing.

Government fee

$20

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

3 days

Validity

10 days

The Business (B) visa is for businesspersons and business representatives visiting Bangladesh for trade, commerce or to explore investment. It may be issued for up to one year with single, double or multiple entries, with a stay of up to about 30 days per visit, and can be extended at the Department of Immigration and Passports for up to three years (maximum six-month stays per visit during extension). The validity period runs from the date of issue, not the travel date. Applicants must provide an invitation letter from a host company in Bangladesh and a letter from their sponsoring employer; the visa does not authorise local employment.

Government fee

$51

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

30 days

Validity

365 days

The Medical (M) visa is for foreign nationals travelling to Bangladesh for medical treatment, and a medical-attendant visa may be granted to accompanying family members. Applicants must show an appointment or invitation letter from a recognised hospital or clinic in Bangladesh, supporting medical documentation of the condition, and evidence of ability to pay for treatment. The visa is typically issued with multiple-entry facility for the treatment period and can be extended in-country on production of an updated medical report. Bangladesh visa fees are reciprocity-based, so the representative figure shown varies by nationality. The visa does not authorise employment.

Government fee

$51

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

90 days

Validity

365 days

The Tabligh (Ijtema) visa is a short-stay religious visa for foreign nationals attending the Bishwa Ijtema and related Tabligh congregations in Bangladesh. Applicants must provide recommendation letters from their local and the central Tabligh Markaz together with a travel itinerary or air ticket. It is a temporary attendance visa for the duration of the gathering and does not authorise employment, study or residence. Fees follow Bangladesh's reciprocity schedule and may be waived for certain nationalities, so the exact amount is not uniformly published.

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

30 days

Validity

90 days

The Student (S) visa is for foreign nationals admitted to an academic course at a recognised educational institution in Bangladesh. It is typically issued as a multiple-entry visa valid for up to one year and can be extended in-country for the length of the study course. Applicants must show an admission letter from the institution duly attested by the Bangladesh Ministry of Education, together with a certificate of financial guarantee or a bank statement evidencing ability to fund the studies. Bangladesh visa fees are reciprocity-based, so the representative figure shown varies by nationality.

Government fee

$51

Processing time

5 days

Validity

365 days

This visa covers foreign nationals coming to Bangladesh for academic or scientific research, an internship, or training with a host institution. Applicants must provide an invitation or appointment letter from the Bangladeshi host institution together with a concurrence/recommendation letter from the concerned ministry. It is issued for the programme period and is renewable in line with the host institution's engagement. The reciprocity-based visa fee varies by nationality. The visa authorises only the approved research, internship or training activity.

Government fee

$51

Processing time

15 days

Validity

365 days

The Employment (E) visa is for foreign nationals taking up employment with an organisation in Bangladesh outside the EPZ and government sectors. The hiring employer must first obtain an E-Visa recommendation letter from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) through its One Stop Service portal; the foreign national then applies for the E visa at a Bangladesh mission with the recommendation and an employment letter. Within 15 days of arrival the employer must file the formal work permit with BIDA (fee around BDT 10,000 per year), and a local-to-foreign employee ratio applies (commonly cited as 5:1 for commercial entities). Work permits are normally granted for one year and are renewable subject to continued employment and security clearance. The reciprocity-based visa fee varies by nationality.

Government fee

$51

Processing time

15 days

Validity

365 days

The E1 visa is for foreign technical personnel sent to Bangladesh to install, commission or service machinery, equipment or software, typically deployed by an overseas company to a Bangladeshi client or group entity. As with the Employment visa, the deploying or hosting organisation obtains a recommendation through BIDA's One Stop Service, and the assignment is tied to the specific installation contract. It functions as a short-to-medium-term assignment visa rather than open-market employment. The reciprocity-based visa fee varies by nationality, and the representative figure shown is indicative.

Government fee

$51

Processing time

15 days

Validity

365 days

The PI (Private Investor, also written P1) visa is for foreign private investors listed as shareholders or directors of an industrial or commercial enterprise in Bangladesh, whether a joint venture or a 100% foreign-owned company. It may be issued for up to one year with single, double or multiple entries, and can be extended at the Department of Immigration and Passports for up to five years on the basis of the investment. Applicants must provide a recommendation letter from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), the Ministry of Industries or BEPZA, together with company registration and investment evidence. Investors holding investment in Bangladesh worth at least USD 5 million may further qualify for a No Visa Required (NVR) endorsement.

Government fee

$51

Processing time

15 days

Validity

365 days

The Family (F) visa is for dependants joining a family member who is lawfully in Bangladesh, including spouses and children of foreign nationals working or investing in Bangladesh, and family members of Bangladeshi nationals. It is typically issued with single or multiple entries valid up to one year and is renewable. Applicants must evidence the family relationship (marriage certificate or Nikahnama, birth certificates) and the sponsor's status or passport. The reciprocity-based visa fee varies by nationality. The visa does not by itself confer work rights, and dependants of Bangladeshi nationals or of Bangladeshi-origin foreign citizens may instead qualify for an NVR endorsement.

Government fee

$51

Processing time

5 days

Validity

365 days

The No Visa Required (NVR) endorsement is a sticker/vignette affixed in a foreign passport that lets persons of Bangladeshi origin (and their spouse and children) enter and stay in Bangladesh without a visa. It is open to foreign citizens of Bangladeshi origin (other than nationals of SAARC countries), and also to foreign nationals holding investment in Bangladesh worth at least USD 5 million. The endorsement is valid for as long as the passport on which it is affixed remains valid, allows unlimited entries, and imposes no time limit on stays within that validity. Applicants complete the NVR application form online and submit the printed form with proof of Bangladeshi origin (or qualifying investment) to a Bangladesh mission; a representative fee of about USD 100 applies. It is not citizenship but provides indefinite visa-free residence rights.

Government fee

$100

Processing time

15 days

The Missionary (R) visa is for foreign religious workers engaged by a recognised church or religious body in Bangladesh. Applicants must provide a letter of appointment from the church together with a 'No Objection' clearance from the Bangladesh Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dhaka. It is issued for the term of the religious assignment, typically up to one year and renewable. The reciprocity-based visa fee varies by nationality. The visa authorises only the approved religious work.

Government fee

$51

Processing time

15 days

Validity

365 days

The Journalist (J) visa is for foreign media professionals travelling to Bangladesh for reporting, filming or news-gathering. Applications require a letter of request from the employer or news agency stating the purpose, and film/shooting projects must additionally submit the FF-1 and FF-2 forms; processing typically takes at least two to three weeks because of the additional security and ministry clearances. The visa is issued for the assignment period and does not authorise other employment. The reciprocity-based visa fee varies by nationality.

Government fee

$51

Processing time

21 days

Validity

365 days

The NGO (N) visa is for foreign nationals working with non-governmental and development organisations operating in Bangladesh. Applicants must submit a letter of appointment from the NGO attested by the NGO Affairs Bureau in Dhaka. It is issued for the engagement period, typically up to one year and renewable in line with the NGO's registration and the worker's role. The reciprocity-based visa fee varies by nationality. The visa authorises only the approved NGO work and does not permit other employment.

Government fee

$51

Processing time

15 days

Validity

365 days

The Official/Diplomatic visa is for holders of diplomatic, official or service passports travelling to Bangladesh on government or international-organisation business. Applications must be supported by a note verbale or letter from the concerned government office or mission. Holders of diplomatic/official/service passports of certain countries (including several ASEAN states, China, India and Russia) also benefit from short visa-free exemptions under bilateral arrangements. Official and diplomatic visas are generally issued free of charge. The visa is for official duties only.

Processing time

5 days

Validity

365 days