Is it safe to travel to Bangladesh right now?

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Bangladesh’s current rules 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 Bangladeshi High Commission in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Bangladesh, your passport must have at least 2 blank pages and no damage.

See ‘Applying for a visa’ for passport validity requirements for visas.

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.

Make sure you get your passport stamped.

Make sure you get an entry stamp in your passport when you arrive. Immigration officers will check the date on your entry stamp when you leave Bangladesh. You could get a fine for overstaying.

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

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual Citizenship.

Electronic arrival and departure cards

Bangladesh has introduced online arrival and departure registration for foreign nationals. Travellers may be required to complete an electronic arrival card before entering Bangladesh and an electronic departure card before leaving.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to visit Bangladesh for up to 3 months, unless you have a ‘no visa required’ stamp in your UK passport.

Applying for a visa

If you are eligible for a visa on arrival, you may be able to pre-register online before travel. Check the latest requirements with the Bangladeshi authorities and your airline before travelling.

Apply in advance for a visa from the Bangladeshi High Commission in the UK.

Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date your visa starts. The visa starts from the date of issue, not the date of travel. If you plan to use Bangladesh as a hub to visit other countries in the region, make sure you get a multiple-entry visa.

The Visa on Arrival service continues to operate, including in the period before the national elections on 12 February. See Checks at the border.

You may be able to apply for a visa on arrival at Dhaka airport. You must have a return ticket and proof of funds 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
• also available for business travel if you have a letter of introduction

If you want to stay longer, you can apply for a visa extension from the Department of Immigration and Passports.

Working in Bangladesh

If you are working in Bangladesh, you must get a work permit, and you’ll need 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.

‘No visa required’ stamp

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

Checks at the border

During the election period, you may face further checks at the border and be asked for additional documents such as:

• proof of an onward or return ticket
• confirmation of accommodation
• contact details

Check with your travel operator for the latest information before travelling.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Bangladesh, you must have certificates to prove you’ve had:

• a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk
• a polio vaccine, in certain circumstances

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Bangladesh guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or 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.

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.

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of arrival in Bangladesh.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: required
Business visa: required
Student visa: required

You should obtain a visa before travelling to Bangladesh. While you can apply for single-entry tourist and business visas upon arrival, which are valid for stays of up to 30 days, there is a risk of you being denied entry into the country.

Other entry and exit requirements

Canadian passport holders travelling by air may be required to complete an electronic arrival card to enter Bangladesh and an electronic departure card to leave.

Check with your airline or travel agent before travelling.

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.

You must carry all documents pertaining to the purpose of your visit. If you're travelling for business, you must also produce:

• a hotel booking confirmation
• a letter of invitation or letter of offer from a local company providing details regarding the purpose and duration of your stay

Useful links

• E-Arrival Card
• E-Departure Card

Business visa holders

If you enter Bangladesh on a business visa, you'll have to provide local authorities with an Income Tax Clearance Certificate or an Income Tax Exemption Certificate upon departure.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizens can obtain a “No Visa Required” stamp on their passport. However, it may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services.

If you entered Bangladesh with this stamp, make sure it’s transferred to any new passport you obtain while in the country.

Recognition of dual citizenship

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).