Bangladesh Visa on Arrival: Complete Guide for 2026
Table of Contents
- What Visa on Arrival Means in Bangladesh
- Who Is Eligible, and the Country List
- Bangladesh Visa on Arrival Requirements
- Apply Online Before You Fly
- Bangladesh Visa on Arrival Fee
- Dhaka Airport Visa on Arrival, Step by Step
- Extensions and Overstaying
- Why Applications Get Refused
- Frequently Asked Questions
A Bangladesh visa on arrival lets eligible travellers obtain their visa at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka instead of applying at an embassy first. It is valid for a maximum of 30 days, single entry, and it is granted at the discretion of the immigration officer.
That last point matters more than anything else on this page. Eligibility does not equal entitlement. This guide covers who qualifies, what to bring, what it costs, and exactly what happens at the counter.
Bangladesh visa on arrival at a glance
What Visa on Arrival Means in Bangladesh
The Bangladesh visa on arrival is issued for tourism, trade, investment or government work. There are two types of Bangladesh visa on arrival: an on-arrival visa and a transit visa. Maximum stay is 30 days on a single entry.
You must use the same port for both entry and departure. If you enter on a Bangladesh visa on arrival at Dhaka, plan to leave from Dhaka.
Nationals of countries under an official ban do not qualify for a visa on arrival or a landing permit, regardless of any other factor.
30 days, single entry, same port in and out, and always at the officer's discretion.
Who Is Eligible, and the Country List
Bangladesh visa on arrival eligibility is not a simple list of passports. Two underlying conditions decide it, and the flow below shows how they combine.
Citizens of the following countries are eligible when they travel to Bangladesh from a country without a resident Bangladesh Embassy or Consulate:
| Region | Eligible nationalities |
|---|---|
| Europe | European countries |
| North America | United States, Canada |
| Asia Pacific | Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Brunei |
| Middle East | United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain |
| Other | Russian Federation, Egypt, Turkey |
Within European countries, these categories may obtain a visa on arrival at Dhaka: business and trade officials, prospective investors, tourists, members of defence and security forces holding prior clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and officers and staff of foreign Embassies, the UN and its subsidiary organisations in Bangladesh.
Three further groups qualify separately:
- Foreign investors and exporters, with documents from BOI, BEPZA, BGMEA, FBCCI or the relevant Ministry. The inviting company must notify immigration in advance.
- Attendees at government-organised seminars or symposiums, with supporting papers.
- Spouses and children of foreign citizens of Bangladeshi origin, on production of a citizenship certificate or a current or expired Bangladesh passport.
Source: Special Branch, Bangladesh Police — official visa on arrival information. Last checked: FILL IN DATE. Confirm your own position before booking.
Bangladesh Visa on Arrival Requirements
Four things are required for a Bangladesh visa on arrival, and officers do check them. Keep everything in your hand luggage.
- A valid passport. Holders of UN laissez-passer certificates and seafarers travelling on Continuous Discharge Certificates are exempt from this requirement.
- Minimum USD 500 in cash, or a credit card. Travellers on government duty are exempt.
- A return ticket for a short-term stay. A one-way ticket is a common cause of refusal.
- The fee in cash — US dollars, euros or pounds sterling.
Bring proof of accommodation too. You will be asked about your purpose, length of stay and where you are staying, and a printed hotel booking answers that in seconds.
Apply Online Before You Fly
Most guides miss this. Bangladesh runs an online Bangladesh visa on arrival portal, an online visa on arrival portal where you can submit your application before travelling and arrive with an approved acknowledgement receipt in hand.
- Register with an email and password, then activate the account from the verification email.
- Sign in and select Apply for VoA.
- Complete the traveller information exactly as it appears in your passport.
- Upload a recent full-frontal facial photo, your passport bio page, and an invitation letter where one applies. JPEG, PNG or PDF, 5 MB maximum each.
- Submit, then save the tracking ID to follow your application status.
- Print the Acknowledgement Receipt. You need the hard copy at the airport.
Applying online does not guarantee the visa, but arriving with a printed receipt moves you through the counter far faster than starting from scratch.
Bangladesh Visa on Arrival Fee
Paid in cash at the Sonali Bank PLC counter — cards are not accepted
The Bangladesh visa on arrival fee is payable in US dollars, euros or pounds sterling, in cash, at the Sonali Bank PLC counter inside the visa on arrival area. Bring clean notes — worn or marked bills are sometimes refused.
There is a currency exchange inside the visa on arrival area, and its rate matches what you would get outside immigration, so there is no advantage to waiting.
Dhaka Airport Visa on Arrival, Step by Step
- Follow the signs to ArrivalsA staircase takes you down from the gate level.
- Find the visa on arrival areaIt sits at the bottom right of the escalator and is signposted.
- Pay at the Sonali Bank PLC counterCash only. Keep the receipt — you need it at the next desk.
- Join the visa on arrival queueBeside the bank, with your printed Acknowledgement Receipt in hand.
- Answer the officer's questionsPurpose, duration and accommodation. Then collect your visa stamp.
- Proceed to immigrationUse the airline crew and diplomats line, not the general queue.
- Collect baggage and clear customsBags are scanned here, so allow extra time.
Budget well over an hour for the Dhaka airport visa on arrival queue. On a heavy arrival bank, several wide-body flights land together and the counter backs up. Tell anyone meeting you that your arrival will take considerably longer than a normal one.
This is where airport assistance earns its cost. Our Platinum package includes visa-on-arrival support: a representative meets you before the counter, checks your documents, and stays with you through immigration and baggage.
Extensions and Overstaying
A Bangladesh visa on arrival can be extended, but not easily. Extensions are handled by the Department of Immigration and Passport office in Agargaon, Dhaka, beside the passport office, and expect multiple visits on different days.
If you intend to stay longer than 30 days, apply for a longer visa from home. Extending after arrival costs more time than it saves.
Overstay penalties are set: BDT 200 per day for the first 15 days, and BDT 500 per day after that. On top of the fine you pay for a new visa at the standard advance rate for your nationality, not the USD 50 on-arrival rate.
Why Applications Get Refused
Bangladesh visa on arrival refusals are usually documentary rather than personal. Every item below is avoidable.
- A one-way ticket with no onward booking
- Less than USD 500 available, with no card to show
- No accommodation address, or a vague "staying with a friend"
- Nationality under an official ban
- Arriving from a country where Bangladesh does have a resident mission, without another qualifying ground
- A purpose of travel that needs a different visa category, such as employment or study
If any of these apply to you, apply at a Bangladesh mission before you fly. Do not gamble at the counter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Bangladesh visa on arrival fee?
USD 50 per traveller, excluding processing fees, or as set by the authority. Paid in cash at the Sonali Bank PLC counter in the arrivals area. Cards are not accepted there.
How long can I stay on a Bangladesh visa on arrival?
A maximum of 30 days, single entry, for tourism, trade, investment or government work.
Is the Bangladesh visa on arrival guaranteed if I qualify?
No. It is granted at the discretion of the immigration officer after your documents are reviewed. Meeting every requirement makes approval likely, never certain.
Do I have to apply online first?
The online portal lets you submit in advance and arrive with a printed Acknowledgement Receipt, which speeds the counter up considerably. Bring the hard copy.
How long does the Dhaka airport visa on arrival take?
Allow over an hour, and longer during busy arrival periods. Payment, document checks and questioning all happen before you reach immigration.
Can I leave from a different airport?
No. Use the same port for entry and departure.
Can I work on a visa on arrival?
No. Employment requires the correct visa category arranged in advance through a Bangladesh mission.
Can someone help me through the process?
Yes. Our airport assistance service includes visa-on-arrival support on the Platinum package, with a representative meeting you before you reach the counter.
Arriving on a Bangladesh visa on arrival and want the paperwork stage handled calmly? Book airport assistance with visa-on-arrival support and meet a representative the moment you land.
This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Rules and fees change. Confirm your position with the Department of Immigration and Passports or your nearest Bangladesh mission before you travel.