Bangladesh visa on arrival

The Visa Policy 2026 lists the groups who may receive a visa on arrival: investors and development partners invited by the government or an investment authority; foreigners coming from countries where Bangladesh has no mission; nationals of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Japan, South Korea, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, the USA, Canada, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Turkey, the UK and other European countries travelling for tourism or business; foreign citizens of Bangladeshi origin with their spouse and children; officials of missions and UN bodies in Bangladesh; diplomatic and UN passport holders; and foreigners with prior approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

For listed nationals the visa on arrival is available only when the purpose is tourism or business. Other purposes such as work, study or research need a visa from a mission in advance.

The immigration authority grants the visa after examining the invitation and supporting documents. The policy names a hotel reservation, a return ticket and proof of finance in card or cash. Passports must be valid for at least six months.

Some Bangladesh mission websites still carry notices from the Covid-19 period stating that visas on arrival were suspended; the Visa Policy 2026 repealed earlier circulars and sets out the current eligible groups. Travellers who want certainty before flying can obtain a visa from a mission instead.

At the port of entry the authority may also issue a transit visa valid until the next connecting flight, for no more than 72 hours, for a charge of USD 20 or the equivalent in foreign currency. The issuing authority keeps records of all visas on arrival and reports them monthly to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the DIP.

Normally a visa category cannot be changed after entering Bangladesh, but a visa on arrival is the exception. It may be converted to A1, D, ND, A2, FA2, E1, E2, E3, FE1, FE2, FE3, J, PI, FPI, P, RT, FBN or NVR. A conversion fee of USD 200 applies only to those who take up employment; UN passport holders are exempt.

Conversion to E2, E3, J, P or PI requires a recommendation letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs from BIDA, BEZA, BEPZA, BHTPA, the PPP Authority or another competent authority. Anyone converting to a work category must then apply for a work permit within 15 working days.