Foreign travel advice

Bangladesh

Warning FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Bangladesh.

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Bangladesh set and enforce entry rules. If you are not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Bangladesh High Commission London.

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Bangladesh.

Passport validity requirements

When you apply for a visa to visit Bangladesh, your passport must have:

  • at least 6 months remaining validity
  • at least 2 blank pages
  • no damage

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet the requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Checks at border control

Make sure you get your passport stamped.

Make sure you get a stamp in your passport when you arrive. You must show immigration officers this arrival stamp when you leave Bangladesh.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to travel to Bangladesh, unless you have a ‘no visa required’ stamp in your UK passport.

At Bangladeshi border control, you may also need to show a return or onward ticket.

If you are working in Bangladesh, you must get an Income Tax Clearance Certificate or an Income Tax Exemption Certificate before leaving Bangladesh. You get application forms from the National Board of Revenue, Bangladesh.

Applying for a visa

Apply for a visa from the Bangladesh High Commission London.

If you plan to use Bangladesh as a hub to visit other countries in the region, make sure you get a multiple-entry visa.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to apply for a visa when you arrive at Dhaka airport. You must have a return ticket to apply for a visa on arrival. Visas on arrival are:

  • single entry
  • valid for 15 to 30 days
  • not guaranteed – Bangladeshi immigration officers issue them at their discretion

If your visa expires while you are in Bangladesh, you can apply for a visa extension from the Department of Immigration and Passports. You may get a fine for overstaying.

British-Bangladeshi nationals

British nationals of Bangladeshi origin may be able to apply for a ‘no visa required’ stamp from the Bangladesh High Commission in London.

Contact the Bangladesh High Commission in London if you have questions.

Air passengers in transit

If you are in transit to another country, you do not need a Bangladesh visa as you will not pass through Bangladeshi border control – this is sometimes called ‘staying airside’.

Vaccination requirements

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Bangladesh guide.

Depending on your circumstances, these may include a:

  • yellow fever vaccination certificate
  • polio vaccination

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of Bangladesh. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into or out of Bangladesh

You may need to declare foreign currency or Bangladeshi taka, depending on the amount you are travelling with. See Bangladesh Customs’ rules on bringing money into or out of Bangladesh.

You can cash travellers’ cheques at banks and airports. ATMs are available in most urban areas and accept UK cards. There are fewer ATMs in rural areas.