Visa & Entry Guide

30-Second Visa Decision

A Visa on Arrival (VOA) is never guaranteed — the final decision belongs to Bangladesh immigration at the port of entry. Bangladesh temporarily suspended VOA issuance from 15 January to 15 February 2026, which is why no static page should promise permanent eligibility. Check the official visa/VOA sources when you book, again about a week before travel, and once more 48–72 hours before departure.

Western Traveller Fast Track

These shortcuts are planning tools, not guarantees of admission.

A residence permit in the UK, EU, USA, Canada, or Australia does not automatically give you the same VOA eligibility as a citizen of that country. Travel on the passport whose nationality you are relying on.

60-Second Pre-Flight Checklist

• Passport: at least 6 months' validity remaining, in good condition, ideally with two blank pages

• VOA portal: register, submit the application, track status, and print the acknowledgement receipt

• Return/onward ticket: a confirmed booking showing how you will leave Bangladesh

• Accommodation: hotel booking with address and telephone number, or a host/tour confirmation

• Financial proof: at least US$500 or equivalent in cash or by credit card

• VOA payment cash: the Dhaka airport VOA fee stage is cash only—around US$50, or the fee is decided by the authority

• Purpose-of-visit evidence: itinerary, tour confirmation, invitation, or meeting details

• Printed copies: passport bio page, VOA acknowledgement, hotel/tour confirmation, return ticket, and insurance

• Airline check: confirm the airline is comfortable boarding you based on current VOA rules

• Emergency contacts: Bangladesh 999, your embassy/high commission, your insurer, and Bangladesh Scenic Tours

Best-practice timing — at booking, confirm your passport route is currently valid; about 7 days before travel, check the VOA/visa portals and your Bangladesh mission again; 48–72 hours before departure, make one final check for temporary suspensions, airline requirements or border notices.

Visa on Arrival — Online Pre-Application + Airport Process

Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, Turkey, Brunei, and European countries may be considered for VOA for tourism, trade, investment, or government work—immigration must be satisfied with the documents presented.

Online pre-application: Go to voa.specialbranch.gov.bd, create and activate an account, choose 'Apply for VoA,' complete traveler information exactly as shown in your passport, upload a recent photo, passport bio page, and supporting/invitation documents, review carefully, submit and save the tracking ID, then download and print the VOA Acknowledgement Receipt once approved.

At Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka: follow the arrivals signs, locate the Visa on Arrival area before normal immigration, pay the fee in cash at the Sonali Bank counter, keep the receipt, and join the VOA queue with your printed documents; answer questions clearly; and check the visa/stamp immediately for permitted stay and conditions before proceeding to immigration, baggage claim, and customs.

Eligibility means you may request the facility — it does not remove the immigration officer's discretion to refuse a VOA or admission if documents are insufficient, inconsistent or otherwise unsatisfactory.

Tourist Visa Before Travel

An advance tourist visa is the better choice if you want more certainty before departure, your passport is not clearly VOA-eligible, you expect a longer stay, or your itinerary is complicated.

Process: Open visa.gov.bd and start a new application, complete the form in English exactly matching your passport, submit it online, and print the completed application. Then submit the printed form and mission-specific documents to the Bangladesh Embassy/High Commission/Consulate responsible for you, following that mission's appointment or postal rules. Do not assume the application is complete until the mission confirms its own submission and payment requirements.

visa.gov.bd is not a fully online e-Visa in the usual sense — applicants must print the completed form and take it with required documents and fee/payment papers to the nearest visa office or Bangladesh mission. Applications can only be completed in English; saved applications are deleted after 7 days, and a submitted form is valid for 7 days for acceptance. After final submission, answers cannot be edited. Online payment is not supported by the central portal.

Documents, Fees, Validity, Extensions & Overstay

Visa validity is not the same as permitted stay—the visa's validity tells you when it can be used for entry, while the immigration stamp tells you how long you may remain in the country. Check both.

A tourist visa is for the purpose stated in the application; paid or unpaid employment is prohibited for a tourist "T" visa holder. If your real purpose is employment, professional media work, business, research, or NGO activity, use the appropriate category.

Visa extensions are handled by the Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP); VOA and tourist visas may be extendable in appropriate cases, but approval is not automatic. If you already know you need more than 30 days, apply for a suitable visa before travel rather than building your itinerary around an extension.

Do not plan to overstay. Leave Bangladesh before your authorized stay expires or obtain an approved extension in time—overstays can create delays, penalties, and future immigration problems.

The Department of Immigration and Passports publishes a visa-information call center: 16445 within Bangladesh or 09666716445.

Airports, Transit & Multi-Entry Planning

A return or onward ticket is required for a short VOA stay—airline check-in staff may ask for it, and immigration may check it on arrival.

A standard VOA is generally single-entry. If you plan to leave Bangladesh for India, Nepal, or another country and return, do not assume your original VOA remains usable—arrange an immigration plan that covers every intended entry.

Transit passengers awaiting a connecting flight may use a transit visa for up to 72 hours or until the next available flight, subject to carrier/immigration procedures. If you plan to enter by air and leave overland or use different entry and exit ports, verify the current rule before finalizing the itinerary—some official guidance states the same port should be used for entry and departure.

VOA is described as potentially available at other international airports and land ports, but current step-by-step instructions are specifically written for Dhaka airport—confirm the facility is operational at your exact port before traveling.

NVR for Foreign Citizens of Bangladeshi Origin

Foreign citizens of Bangladeshi origin (except excluded categories) and qualifying foreign spouses/children may be eligible for a 'No Visa Required' (NVR) endorsement, which allows multiple entries and an unlimited duration of stay during the validity of the passport. Eligibility documents can include a previous/current Bangladeshi passport, national ID, birth registration, or other recognized evidence, depending on the mission.

If you qualify and travel to Bangladesh regularly, NVR may be substantially more convenient than repeatedly relying on tourist visas or VOA — check it before you buy a visa.

Children, Business, Media, NGOs & Employment Purposes

Each traveller needs the appropriate passport and immigration permission. Some missions require written consent from both parents for applicants under 18, copies of parents' passports/IDs, and a birth certificate. Requirements vary by mission. Paid or unpaid employment is not permitted on a tourist visa, and professional journalism/filming, business/investment, NGO work, and research each have their own visa categories.

Restricted Areas & Responsible Itinerary Planning

The Chittagong Hill Tracts—including Bandarban, Rangamati, and Khagrachhari—can be subject to additional security, administrative, or travel-permission requirements for foreign visitors. Conditions can change by district and security situation, and no fixed permit-processing time should be assumed unless confirmed for the specific trip.

Foreign travellers planning to visit restricted or specially regulated areas should contact Bangladesh Scenic Tours before finalising the itinerary. We can explain the current tour-documentation process where legally permitted, but government approval and security access remain outside our control.

Lost Passport, Emergency & Consular Help

If your passport is lost or stolen: move to a safe place and confirm it is genuinely missing; report the loss/theft to local police and keep the report or reference; contact your embassy/high commission for emergency travel-document guidance; tell your travel insurer if the loss affects accommodation, transport, or replacement costs; keep copies of your visa/VOA and passport bio page if you have them; ask your embassy and Bangladesh immigration what documentation is required to regularize your departure; and never attempt to leave Bangladesh using a photocopy of a lost passport.

Keep a secure cloud copy of your passport bio page, visa/VOA, insurance, and return ticket, plus one paper copy separate from the original, your insurer's 24-hour number, and your national mission's address/phone.

Immediate emergency in Bangladesh: call 999.

Bangladesh Scenic Tours — What We Can and Cannot Do

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Bangladesh visa at Dhaka airport?

Eligible travelers may request a visa on arrival via the online pre-application process and Dhaka airport instructions, but approval remains discretionary.

Is a Bangladesh VOA a 30-day visa?

Current official guidance describes a maximum stay of 30 days for eligible VOA travelers. The officer determines the actual permitted stay.

Is the VOA multiple entry?

Generally, single entry. If you leave Bangladesh and plan to return, arrange the correct permission for the second entry.

How much is VOA?

Around US$50, or a fee decided by the authority—reciprocity and exemptions may apply. Confirm shortly before travel.

Can I pay the Dhaka airport VOA fee by card?

No—the payment stage at the VOA bank counter is cash only. Carry US dollars.

Why do I also need proof of US$500 if the fee is only US$50?

The fee and proof of financial means are separate requirements. Visitors should possess at least US$500 or the equivalent, except for certain official travelers.

Do I need a hotel booking?

Yes—normally a hotel booking or, where appropriate, a personal/tour invitation and address.

Do I need a return ticket?

Yes, for VOA. Keep a printed or easily accessible copy.

Is visa.gov.bd an e-Visa?

It is an online application system. For an advance visa, the process still normally requires printing the form and submitting documents to the responsible mission.

What is the difference between visa.gov.bd and voa.specialbranch.gov.bd?

visa.gov.bd is the central system for advance visa/NVR applications. voa.specialbranch.gov.bd is the portal for on-arrival/transit visa pre-application and tracking.

Can I work on a tourist visa?

No. Paid or unpaid employment is prohibited for tourist visa holders.

Can I extend a VOA?

The Department of Immigration and Passports may handle extension requests, but approval is not automatic. If you know you need more than 30 days, get an appropriate visa before travel.

Can I overstay and just pay a fine?

Do not plan this. Leave before your authorized stay expires or obtain an approved extension.

I have a US Green Card / UK residence permit / Schengen visa—does that make me VOA-eligible?

Not by itself. Eligibility is primarily based on passport nationality and applicable Bangladeshi rules.

I am of Bangladeshi origin but hold a foreign passport—what is the best option?

Check whether you qualify for NVR. For frequent or longer visits, it can be more convenient than relying on VOA.

Can Bangladesh Scenic Tours guarantee my visa?

No. We can provide legitimate tourism documentation connected with a booking but cannot guarantee or influence a visa or immigration decision.

What if VOA is temporarily suspended?

You must follow the rule in force on your travel date. Bangladesh temporarily suspended VOA for a period in early 2026, so always recheck immediately before departure.

Can I enter through one port and leave through another?

Some official VOA guidance says the same port should be used for entry and departure. Verify your exact plan before buying tickets.

Priority Embassy Contacts for Western Travelers

The most useful consular contacts for the visitor groups most likely to use this guide. Emergency lines are for genuine consular emergencies, not visa inquiries.

EU citizens whose own country has no resident mission should contact their national foreign ministry first — in some circumstances, EU citizens may be entitled to consular protection from another EU member state's mission.