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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.

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.

Emergency services in Bangladesh

Telephone: 999 (ambulance, fire, police)

Expatriate Help Cell

The Bangladesh Police Expatriate Help Cell offers services to expatriates, including dual nationals.

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Bangladesh
• dealing with a death in Bangladesh
• being arrested in Bangladesh
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Bangladesh on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, an area made up of the districts of: 

• Rangamati 

• Khagrachari 

• Bandarban

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.

Flooding

Flash floods and landslides have affected parts of Bangladesh, including the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox’s Bazar and Sylhet regions.

There is an increased risk of seasonal flooding in parts of northeast Bangladesh, including the Sylhet region, due to heavy rainfall during the pre‑monsoon period.

Flooding may occur with little warning and could disrupt transport, utilities and access to services, particularly in low‑lying and river‑adjacent areas.

Monitor local weather forecasts and updates from the Bangladesh Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and follow the advice of local authorities.

Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East

Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. 

Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel:

• check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through
• check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator
• review your travel insurance policy for coverage
• monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts.

Energy and fuel shortages

Bangladesh is facing energy and fuel shortages linked to global supply disruptions. The authorities have announced measures including limits on fuel sales. This may lead to transport disruption and delays in some areas. You should plan ahead, allow extra time for travel and keep up to date with local media.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Bangladesh is a majority Muslim country. Respect the customs and laws. Make sure your actions do not cause offence.

Personal ID

Local officials may ask you for ID.

Carry copies of the photo page in your passport and your Bangladeshi visa. Keep the originals somewhere safe and leave copies with friends or relatives in the UK.

Dress code

Both men and women should dress modestly to avoid causing offence. Women should cover their shoulders and legs in public.

Ramadan

Ramadan in 2026 is expected to start on the 17/18 February and last until the third week of March.

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. Get advice on respecting Ramadan from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.

You should:

• check opening hours of shops and restaurants
• follow local dress codes – clothing that does not meet local dress codes may cause more offence at this time, both for women and men
• be aware that fasting can cause tiredness, particularly during the later afternoon and early evening

British nationals of Bangladeshi origin

If you’re a British national of Bangladeshi origin, the Bangladeshi government will consider you to be a Bangladeshi citizen, even if you:

• have never had a Bangladeshi passport
• were born outside of Bangladesh

This may limit the help the UK government can offer you. For more information on Bangladeshi nationality, check with the Bangladeshi High Commission in the UK.

The Bangladesh Police Expatriate Help Cell offers services to foreign nationals, including dual nationals.

Alcohol laws

You may need a liquor permit to drink alcohol in Bangladesh. A liquor permit allows you to drink alcohol in government-licensed bars. Check the requirements at your local district office and apply for a permit if necessary.

Illegal drugs penalties

There are severe penalties for possessing and trafficking illegal drugs. Some drug-related offences are punishable by the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Prison sentences and conditions

If you break local laws, you may get a prison sentence, served in a local prison. Delays and inefficiency in the judicial system can result in long detentions until court hearings eventually take place. Prison conditions are far below UK standards.

British nationals detained in Bangladesh have the right to request access to British High Commission officials.

Family law and property disputes

Family law in Bangladesh is very different from UK law. Always check your legal position when, for example, child custody is an issue.

The British High Commission in Dhaka cannot help British nationals of Bangladeshi origin with land or property problems.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Bangladesh.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.