🇧🇩 Bangladesh visa requirements

Most nationalities need a visa for Bangladesh. US, EU, UK, Canadian, and Australian citizens can get a visa on arrival (VOA) for 30 days.

Who gets in visa-free (and who needs a plan)

Here's the breakdown for Bangladesh entry. Most travellers will need a visa. If you're from the US, EU, UK, Canada, or Australia, you're eligible for a 30-day visa on arrival (VOA) at Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) or other major land/sea ports. Have your return ticket and sufficient funds ready.

Citizens of India, Maldives, Bhutan, and Nepal get visa-free entry for 90 days. For everyone else, a pre-approved visa is almost always required before you even think about booking a flight. You'll typically apply through a Bangladeshi embassy or consulate in your home country. The eVisa system is expanding, but not all nationalities can use it yet. Check the official Bangladesh immigration website for the most up-to-date list. Don't assume you can get a VOA if your country isn't listed in the VOA-eligible group.

How long can you actually stay?

That 30-day VOA for many Western passport holders sounds simple, right? It is, until you want to stay longer. Extensions are possible, but they're not guaranteed and can involve significant paperwork and a trip to the immigration office in Dhaka. You'll usually need to apply for an extension at least 7 days before your current visa expires. Expect to pay a fee, and the process can take several days.

Overstaying is where things get tricky and expensive. While specific fines can vary, expect to pay around $10-$25 USD per day you've overstayed. More importantly, a significant overstay can lead to detention, deportation, and a ban from re-entering Bangladesh. Double-check your entry stamp and any extension approvals. Remember, a VOA is usually single-entry. If you leave Bangladesh and want to come back, you'll need a new visa.

Working remotely on a tourist stamp

Can you work remotely on a tourist visa or VOA? Technically, no. Tourist visas are for leisure, not for employment, even if that employment is for a company based thousands of miles away and involves zero interaction with the local economy beyond buying chai.

However, the reality on the ground is that enforcement varies wildly. For short stays, especially if you're discreet and not flashing your laptop in public government offices, authorities are unlikely to flag you. The risk increases if you're staying long-term, trying to extend a tourist visa multiple times, or drawing attention to yourself. Bangladesh doesn't currently have a specific digital nomad visa. If your work involves any kind of business registration or local contracts, you absolutely need a proper work visa. For most remote workers just needing internet, the tourist stamp is a common, albeit technically illegal, practice.

What’s new in Bangladesh visas?

Bangladesh has been steadily rolling out its eVisa system. This is a game-changer for many, streamlining the application process and reducing the need for embassy visits for eligible nationalities. You can apply online and often receive your visa approval within a few business days. Keep an eye on the official www.visa.gov.bd website for the most current information on which countries are included and the exact application procedure.

Fees can also change. The VOA fee for US citizens, for instance, has historically been around $51 USD for 30 days, but this is subject to change. Always verify the current fee structure on the official immigration site before your trip. There haven't been major suspensions or expansions of visa categories in the last 12-18 months that dramatically alter the landscape for typical tourists or remote workers, but the eVisa rollout is the main ongoing development.