Bangladesh

Bangladesh visa guide

  • 10 visa types
  • checked 24 October 2026

How visas for Bangladesh work

Bangladesh's visa rules are set by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Visa Policy 2026, published in August 2026 by the ministry's Immigration Wing. It replaces the 2006 policy and its later circulars, lists 34 visa categories identified by letters (T for tourists, B for business, E1 to E3 for employment, PI for investors, S for students, MT for medical tourism and so on) and states which documents each needs for a first visa and for an extension. Visas issued under the old rules stay valid until they expire.

Abroad, Bangladesh missions issue visas; inside the country the Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP) issues visas on arrival, transit visas, extensions, changes of category and the No Visa Required (NVR) endorsement. Applicants fill in the online form at visa.gov.bd, print it and submit it with documents, original passport and fee at the mission. Visa fees follow reciprocity and are not refunded if a visa is refused.

Missions publish their own fee tables and document lists, and the fee is not paid online. Nationals of a list of countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, European countries, China, Japan, Türkiye and several Gulf states, can instead receive a 30-day single-entry visa on arrival when travelling for tourism or business.

Foreigners who come to work must apply for a work permit to BIDA, BEZA, BEPZA, the Hi-Tech Park Authority, the NGO Affairs Bureau or another competent authority within 15 working days of first entry. Overstays are charged BDT 1,000 a day for the first 15 days and more after that.

Which visa do I need?

Holiday or visiting friends, up to three months: tourist visa (T) from a Bangladesh mission, or a 30-day visa on arrival if your nationality is on the eligible list.

Meetings, trade fairs, sourcing or quality checks: business visa (B), up to one year with 90-day stays.

A job with a Bangladeshi company or project: employment visa (E2) or expert visa (E3), followed by a work permit within 15 working days.

Investing in a company: private investor visa (PI); an investment of USD 100,000 can qualify for the No Visa Required facility.

Studying or an academic internship: student visa (S); research or training at a recognised institution: researcher visa (R).

Treatment in a Bangladeshi hospital: medical tourism visa (MT), with up to two attendants on MA visas.

Spouse or child of a Bangladeshi citizen, or of Bangladeshi origin: FBN visa or NVR endorsement.

Visa types for Bangladesh

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Tourist visa (T category)

    The T visa covers holidays, visits to friends or relatives, conferences, workshops, seminars and study tours, for a total of up to three months with multiple entries.

    Maximum stay: Total visa duration up to three months
  • Medical treatment visa Medical tourism visa (MT) and medical attendant visa (MA)

    The MT visa is for patients treated in registered hospitals, clinics or diagnostic centres in Bangladesh.

    Maximum stay: Up to three months, extendable up to one year
  • Transit visa Transit visa (TR category) and transit visa on arrival

    Travellers passing through Bangladesh to another country, and seafarers signing on or off ships, can obtain a TR transit visa valid for up to 96 hours.

    Maximum stay: TR visa up to 96 hours; transit visa on arrival up to 72 hours

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Business visa (B category)

    The B visa is for international business people who come to analyse investment potential, attend board or technical meetings, recruit staff, visit trade fairs or check product quality.

    Maximum stay: 90 days per entry
  • Investor visa Private investor visa (PI category) and NVR for investors

    The PI visa is for foreigners investing in an industrial or commercial enterprise in Bangladesh's private sector, wholly foreign-owned or as a joint venture.

    Validity: Up to one year with multiple entry; extendable up to five years or the validity of the work permit

Study and training

  • Student visa Student visa (S category), including academic internships

    The S visa is for foreigners pursuing an academic programme, or an internship needed for an academic degree, at an educational institution approved by the Government of Bangladesh.

    Maximum stay: Full study period, up to five years
  • Researcher visa Researcher visa (R category)

    The R visa is for researchers, research apprentices and participants in training programmes or research projects at educational, research or training institutions approved by the Government of Bangladesh.

    Maximum stay: Duration of the programme, up to one year per visa

Work

  • Work visa Employment visa (E2) and expert visa (E3) with work permit

    Foreign experts and skilled workers employed in Bangladesh enter on an E2 employment visa, or an E3 visa for installation, maintenance and other technical assignments, issued for up to six months with multiple entries.

    Maximum stay: E3: 90 days per stay; E2: in line with the work permit after extension

Family

  • Spouse and partner visa FBN visa and No Visa Required (NVR) for spouses and children of Bangladeshi citizens

    Foreign spouses and children of Bangladeshi citizens, and foreign citizens of Bangladeshi descent with their families, can get an FBN visa for two years with multiple entries, extendable up to three years.

    Maximum stay: Two years, extendable up to three years (FBN)

Online travel permits

  • Visa on arrival Visa on arrival (VoA)

    Bangladesh grants a 30-day single-entry visa on arrival at designated ports of entry to listed groups, including nationals of the United States, the United Kingdom, European countries, Türkiye and several Asian and Gulf states travelling for tourism or business.

    Maximum stay: 30 days

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Bangladesh?

Yes, unless you qualify for the No Visa Required endorsement. You apply at a Bangladesh mission after filling in the form at visa.gov.bd, or, if your nationality is on the eligible list and you travel for tourism or business, obtain a 30-day single-entry visa on arrival at a designated port of entry.

How much is a Bangladesh visa?

Fees follow reciprocity, so they depend on your nationality and are published by the mission where you apply; the visa.gov.bd fee table also lists a re-entry visa. Fees are not refunded if the visa is refused.

Is there a Bangladesh e-visa?

No electronic visa is issued yet. The online form at visa.gov.bd only prepares the application; you print it and submit it with your passport at a mission, and payment is not made online.

How do I extend a Bangladesh visa?

Apply to the Department of Immigration and Passports at least 15 days before the visa expires, using the extension option on visa.gov.bd and the documents listed for your category. Late applications incur overstay penalties.

What are the overstay fines in Bangladesh?

BDT 1,000 per day for the first 15 days, BDT 2,000 per day up to 90 days and BDT 3,000 per day beyond that; a court case may also be filed under the Foreigners Act. Delays caused by disasters or flight cancellations are not counted.

Can I change my visa type inside Bangladesh?

Generally no. Only a visa on arrival can be converted, and only to certain categories such as E2, E3, PI, J, P, RT or FBN; a USD 200 conversion fee applies to those taking up employment.

Embassies and consulates

Last checked 24 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.